KCET Commemorates Native American Heritage Month in November with Inspiring Programming

Burbank, CA - October 29, 2013 -

KCET, the nation's largest independent public television station, honors Native

American Heritage Month in November with several programs that celebrate how

Native Americans have shaped the nation. From stories of hardship and triumph to

influential leaders and historical events, KCET pays tribute to the vast

contributions American Indians have made in enriching our country's identity

and cultural heritage.

This award-winning documentary makes extensive use of Sitting Bull's own

words, giving the viewer an intimate portrait of one of America's legendary

figures in all his complexities as a leader of the great Sioux Nation.  Sitting Bull's words, as portrayed by Adam

Fortunate Eagle, dominate the story, augmented by a narrator's historical

perspective, inlcuding more than 600 historical photographs and images, and a

compelling original music score. The film brings to life the little-known human

side of Sitting Bull as well as the story of a great man's struggle to maintain

his people's way of life against an ever-expanding westward movement of white

settlers. It is a powerful cinematic journey into the life and spirit of a

legendary figure of whom people have often heard of but don't really know.

From the American Revolution to World Wars I and II to present day Iraq and

Afghanistan, Native Americans have a long tradition of participation in the

United States military. Their courage, determination, and fighting spirit were

to life. California's Pala Band of Mission Indians and the Pauma Band of

Luiseno Indians have an especially illustrious history of military service.

This film showcases their emotional battles both overseas as warriors and here

at home as veterans.

The Choctaw Soldiers were the original Code Talkers during World War I, a

story which has been buried in history for nearly a hundred years. With

testimonies from family members and Choctaw tribal leaders, the program brings

a unique perspective to these forgotten heroes and their wartime

contributions.  

Injunuity is a collage of

reflections on the Native American world, including our shared past, turbulent

present, and undiscovered future. From Columbus to the western expansion to

tribal casinos, we are taught that the Native way, while at times glorious, is

something of the past, something that needed to be replaced by a manifest

destiny from across the ocean. But in a world increasingly short of real

answers, it is time we looked to Native wisdom for guidance. It is time for

some 'injunuity.' Injunuity is a mix

of animation, music, and real thoughts from real people exploring our world

from the Native American perspective. Every word spoken is verbatim, every

thought and opinion is real, told in nine short pieces and covering such topics

as language preservation, sacred sites, and the environment. But rather than

simply revisit our history, the goal of Injunuity

is to help define our future, to try and figure out the path that lies before

us, to focus on where we are going as well as where we have been. 

For the Navajo and Hopi, running is much more than a sport, it is woven

into the cultural fabric of their lives. Encouraged by their elders, many

Navajos and Hopis begin running at an early age - to greet the morning sun, to

prepare for a ceremony or simply to challenge themselves in the vast,

southwestern landscape. In the rugged canyon lands of Northern Arizona, Navajo

and Hopi cross-country runners from two rival high schools vie for the state

championship while striving to find their place among their native people and

the larger American culture. Win or lose, what they learn over the course of

two racing seasons has a dramatic effect on the rest of their lives. Combining

contemporary reservation life, from the point of view of five teenage boys on

the cusp of adulthood. The documentary follows Ryan, Dennis, Billy, Johnny and

Joyai from the classrooms to their remote, un-electrified homes, from grueling

runs across canyons and mesas to their ultimate day of reckoning - the state

meet - and beyond. 

Apache 8 tells the story of an

all-women wildland firefighter crew from the White Mountain Apache Tribe who have

been fighting fires in Arizona and throughout the U.S., for more than 30 years.

The film delves into the challenging lives of these Native firefighters. Four

extraordinary women from different generations of the Apache 8 crew share their

personal narratives with humor and tenderness. They speak of hardship and loss,

family and community, and pride in being a firefighter from Fort Apache. This

documentary weaves together a compelling tale of these remarkable firefighters,

revealed for the first time.

On-air, online and in the

community, KCET plays a vital role in the cultural and educational enrichment

of Southern and Central California. KCET offers a wide range of award-winning

local programming as well as the finest public television programs from around

the world. KCET currently produces the Emmy®, duPont-Columbia and Peabody

Award-winning SoCal Connected, a hard-hitting prime-time weekly

television news program that examines the issues and people of Southern

California. Throughout its 48-year history, KCET has won hundreds of major

awards for its local and regional news and public affairs programming, its

national drama and documentary productions, its quality educational family and

children's programs, its outreach and community services and its website,

kcet.org. KCET is a donor-supported community institution. For additional

information about KCET productions, web-exclusive content, programming

schedules and community events, please visit kcet.org. KCET is a service of

KCETLink. 

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