Images (L to R): “Cara Romero: Following the Light” (image courtesy of KCET/PBS SoCal). Actresses Darla Contois (left) and Lisa Edelstein (right) from “Little Bird” (image courtesy of PBS). Download
pbssocal.org/nativeamerican
Another highlight of the local PBS stations’ Native American Heritage Month schedule includes the award-winning and celebrated Canadian scripted drama, LITTLE BIRD. The six-part, one-hour constrained series explores universal themes of resilience in the face of trauma and loss. It follows Bezhig Little Bird as she embarks on a path to find her birth family and uncover the hidden truth of her family history. The series premiered on PBS stations on October 12, but viewers can catch up on the first half of the series on the free PBS app. The November schedule picks up with Episode 4, airing Sun., Nov. 5 at 11 p.m. on PBS SoCal,
Building on the success of the first season of NATIVE AMERICA, season two of the series reveals the beauty and power of today’s Indigenous world. Smashing stereotypes, it follows the engineers, politicians, and cutting-edge artists who draw upon Native tradition to build a better 21st century. This four-part Native directed series brings to life lively stories of the here and now, with thematic episodes revealing core tenets of Native heritage that launch an vigorous dialogue between past and present. NATIVE AMERICA Season Two debuts Tues., Oct. 24 at 9 p.m. on PBS SoCal and Wed., Oct. 25 at 48 p.m. on KCET.
The station’s month-long line up of streaming and digital content at pbssocal.org/nativeamerican will be paying homage to the wealthy culture and heritage of America’s Indigenous people who have deeply enriched the quality and character of Southern California. The content offers a broad array of topics from various community perspectives.
NATIVE AMERICA “Warrior Spirit” – Tues., Oct. 31 at 9 p.m. on PBS SoCal and Wed., Nov. 1 at 8 p.m. on KCET
Across Native America, warrior traditions support incredible athletes and connect people to combat, games and glory.
CARA ROMERO: FOLLOWING THE LIGHT – Wed., Nov. 1 at 10 p.m. on KCET and Sun., Nov. 5 at 4:30 p.m. on PBS SoCal
Contemporary fine art photographer Cara Romero’s work captures Indigenous and non-Indigenous cultural memory, collective history and lived experiences from a Native American female perspective. This powerful documentary features interviews with Cara and those closest to her, shows behind-the-scenes footage of her shoots and looks at the wealthy California Indigenous history that informs her work.
NATIVE BALL: Legacy of a Trailblazer – Wed., Nov. 1 at 10:30 p.m. on KCET
A Native American girl uses basketball as a ticket to college and helping others.
LITTLE BIRD “Burning Down the House” – Sun., Nov. 5 at 11 p.m. on PBS SoCal
Esther finds members of her family who facilitate her put together the pieces of the past and then returns home to Montreal to confront Golda, her adoptive mother, about the revelations she’s uncovered that shine a fresh lithe on their life.
NATIVE AMERICA “Women Rule” – Tues., Nov. 7 at 9 p.m. on PBS SoCal and Wed., Nov. 8 at 8 p.m. on KCET
Four extraordinary individuals from across the country carry forward deep traditions to better their communities, their lands and the world only to discover that each faces a radically different challenge.
LITTLE BIRD “I Want My Mom” – Sun., Nov. 12 at 11 p.m. on PBS SoCal
Esther returns to the prairies and continues her pursuit of uncovering her past, only to realize that reconnecting the severed ties of a broken family is not uncomplicated and when tragedy strikes, she needs her mother more than anything.
NATIVE AMERICA “Language is Life” – Tues., Nov. 14 at 9 p.m. on PBS SoCal and Wed., Nov. 15 at 8 p.m. on KCET
Celebrate the power of Native languages and the inspirational people who are saving them. From secret recordings to “Star Wars” films dubbed in Navajo, follow the revolutionary steps transforming Native America.
RECIPROCITY PROJECT – Tues., Nov. 14 at 11 p.m. on PBS SoCal and Sun., Nov. 26 at 8 p.m. on KCET
Facing a climate crisis, the Reciprocity Project embraces Indigenous value systems that have bolstered communities since the dawn of humanity.
THE MYSTERY OF CHACO CANYON – Wed., Nov. 15 at 11 p.m. on PBS SoCal
This special examines the deep enigmas presented by the massive prehistoric remains found in Chaco Canyon in northwestern New Mexico.
TENDING NATURE “Indigenous Land Stewardship” – Sun, Nov. 19 at 6 p.m. on KCET
LITTLE BIRD “Bineshi Kwe” – Sun., Nov. 19 at 11 p.m. on PBS SoCal
After much love and sorrow, the Little Bird family come together to mourn death and celebrate life. This journey has been onerous for both Esther and Golda, but Esther has finally found what she’s been looking for.
INDIGENIZE THE PLATE – Wed., Nov. 22 at 8 p.m. on KCET
Filmmaker Natalie Benally (Diné) travels from New Mexico to a Quechua community in Peru to learn how they are addressing the link between food sustainability and cultural sustainability for Indigenous communities.
About PBS SoCal and KCET
PBS SoCal and KCET are both part of the donor-supported community institution, the Public Media Group of Southern California. PBS SoCal is the flagship PBS station for diverse people across California and delivers content and experiences that inspire, inform and educate. PBS SoCal offers the full slate of beloved PBS programs including MASTERPIECE, NOVA, PBS NewsHour, FRONTLINE, and a broad library of documentary films with works from Ken Burns; as well as educational content including PBS KIDS programs like DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD and CURIOUS GEORGE. KCET showcases the best of PBS and is a leading source for arts, culture, and news in Southern California. Through groundbreaking storytelling, KCET explores and expresses our lively local communities helping residents understand and connect with the region’s diverse communities and ideas. For additional information about both KCET and PBS SoCal productions, web-exclusive content, programming schedules and community events, please visit pbssocal.org. KCET Originals and PBS programming are available to stream on the FREE PBS App on iOS and Android devices, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV, Samsung Smart TV, Chromecast and VIZIO SmartCast TV. KCET is also available to watch live on YouTube TV.
