Native America is an acclaimed series that aired on PBS in 2018. The four part series explores the culture and history of America's First Peoples over the past 15,000 years. For more information, visit the program's website.
Create and share lessons around any TED-Ed Original, TED Talk or YouTube Video.
American Indian Film GalleryThe AIFG presently contains over 450 non-fiction films that document Native lifeways from the Arctic Circle to Tierra del Fuego, with a large concentration on peoples of the Southwest.
Wounded Knee: We Shall Remain—America Through Native EyesOn the night of February 27, 1973, the American Indian Movement (AIM) and Oglala Lakota activists seized the hamlet of Wounded Knee, and police cordoned off the area. Demanding redress for grievances, the protesters captured the world’s attention for 71 gripping days. With heavily armed federal troops tightening a cordon around the Indians, the event recalled the massacre at Wounded Knee almost a century earlier. In telling the story of this iconic moment, this final episode examines the political and economic forces that led to bringing the desperate conditions of Indian reservation life to the nation’s attention. It also proved that despite centuries of warfare and neglect, Indians remained a vital force in the life of America. Distributed by PBS Distribution.
American Indian MovementAfter centuries of mistreatment and efforts to pacify Indians, an Indian movement rose up in the 1960s.
The World of American Indian DanceFor centuries, dancing was part of virtually every aspect of Native American life. Although outlawed at times by the U.S. government and performed out of context for Wild West shows, dancing now unifies tribal nations and preserves Indian heritage. This documentary explores the dynamics of competition dancing—its artistry, origins, and meanings, as well as the clash between progress and tradition that marks the contest powwow. Filmed at Crow Fair in Montana, the program was produced by the Oneida Indian Nation and aired on broadcast television. A general history of Native American issues is included. (46 minutes)
Southwest American Indian Art: World Indigenous ArtAmerica’s Indigenous peoples developed diverse artistic forms and traditions, ranging from the practical to the ceremonial. Richly visual and densely informative, this introduction to Southwest American Indian art explores the culture and artistic expression of distinct nations including the Pueblo, Navajo and Apache.
Videos - Kanopy
Reel Injun - On the Trail of the Hollywood "Indian"Hollywood has made over 4000 films about Native people; over 100 years of movies defining how Indians are seen by the world.
Reel Injun takes an entertaining and insightful look at the Hollywood Indian, exploring the portrayal of North American Natives through the history of cinema.
More Than a Word: Native American--Based Sports MascotsAn exploration of Native American-based mascots, especially the Washington R_dskins, and their impact on real-life attitudes, issues, and policies. Through interviews with scholars, tribal leaders, lawyers, policy experts, activists, and Washington R_dskins fans, the film explores the history of the slanderous term "redskin," and delves into cultural stereotypes of Native Americans and their relationship to history. Ultimately, the film argues for representations that honor and celebrate the humanity of Indigenous people.
Water Warriors: A Community's Resistance Against the Oil & Gas IndustryFrom New Day films, the story of a community's successful resistance against the oil and gas industry. When an energy company begins searching for natural gas in New Brunswick, Canada, indigenous and white families unite to drive out the company in a campaign to protect their water and way of life.
