Celebrating Indigenous Talent During Native American Heritage Month

November is Native American Heritage Month, and we are excited to highlight current and upcoming television shows with prominent indigenous creators and actors. An extremely diverse collection of indigenous cultures stretches across the United States, and today there are more shows than ever telling their stories.

"Reservation Dogs" (FX/Hulu)

"Reservation Dogs" centers on four indigenous teens in rural Oklahoma who dream of moving to California, as their recently departed friend had hoped to do. They spend their time committing petty crimes, stealing to save money so they can start their new lives in the Golden State.

The comedy/drama series is the brainchild of Sterlin Harjo, a citizen of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, and Oscar-winning filmmaker Taika Waititi ("Jojo Rabbit"), who is of Māori descent. All of the show's writers and directors are indigenous, and most of the cast and production team are as well. FX recently renewed the series for a third season, and the first two seasons are streaming on Hulu.

"Molly of Denali" (PBS Kids)

"Molly of Denali" is an animated children's show that features a 10-year old native Alaskan as the lead character. Molly (whose native name is Shahnyaa meaning "one who informs us") is a vlogger from the fictional village of Qyah whose family runs a general store where they also live with their sled dog Suki. She is of Gwich'in, Koyukon, and Dena'ina Athabascan descent. Through her blog, she educates viewers about life in Alaska with a focus on the indigenous populations that have lived there for centuries.

Much of the cast is of Native American descent, including Sovereign Bill who voices the main character. Each episode has two short animated story segments with a live-action sequence featuring real children in Alaska in between the two stories. The third season just began airing this month on PBS Kids, and there is also an associated podcast available for fans.

"Spirit Rangers" (Netflix)

Another animated show featuring indigenous talent is "Spirit Rangers," which premiered last month on Netflix. The 10-episode first season follows Native American siblings Kodi, Summer, and Eddy Skycedar who can magically transform into animals to protect the national park where they live.

The show's creator Karissa Valencia is of Mexican and Chumash descent, and all of the show's writers are indigenous people who consult with the Chumash and Cowlitz tribes to develop storylines. The vocal talent additionally consists of indigenous actors and actresses. Valencia told TODAY that her goal was to make "the show she longed for as a Native American child."

"Dark Winds" (AMC+)

Switching gears from children's programming, "Dark Winds" is a psychological thriller series created by Graham Roland based on Tony Hillerman's mystery novels about Navajo Nation Police officers Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee. Hillerman grew up in Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma, among children of the Potawatomi tribe, and Roland is a citizen of the Chickasaw Nation. The six-episode first season ran on AMC this summer and is now streaming on AMC+. The series has been renewed for a six-episode second season, which will premiere in 2023.

Many of the stars of "Dark Winds," as well as the directors and writers, are members of Native American tribes. The show follows Detectives Chee (Kiowa Gordon, who is of Hualapai descent) and Leaphorn (Zahn McClarnon, of Hunkpapa Lakota descent) as they investigate violent crimes in the American Southwest in the 1970s.

And coming soon... "Echo" (Disney+)

"Echo" is an upcoming series based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. The "Hawkeye" spin-off is expected to start streaming on Disney+ in mid-2023 as part of Phase Five of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. According to press releases, the show centers on Maya Lopez (Alaqua Cox), who "must face her past, reconnect with her Native American roots, and embrace the meaning of family and community if she ever hopes to move forward."

Alongside Cox, who grew up on the Menominee Indian Reservation in Wisconsin, the cast includes many actors with Native American roots, including Tantoo Cardinal, Graham Greene, Devery Jacobs, Cody Lightning, Zahn McClarnon ("Dark Winds" and "Reservation Dogs"), and Chaske Spencer.

Thank you for joinin us in celebrating the rich culture an heritage of Native American artists in film and TV, and be sure to check out these shows!