WXXI

Go Public

Native Americans

Local, USA Firelighters: Fire Is Medicine • WXXI-WORLD

Indigenous people have deep knowledge of the art of using fire. Follow the work of women leaders from the Yurok and Karuk Tribes who are building resources to share indigenous practices and create policies to take back indigenous burning rights


Local, USA Firelighters: Fire Is Medicine airs Monday, November 17 at 8 p.m. on WXXI-WORLD and streaming live on the WXXI app.

For centuries, most landscapes in North America were shaped by fire between lightning strikes and Indigenous burns. Indigenous people had deep knowledge of the art of using fire, and still do today. Follow the work of women leaders from the Yurok and Karuk Tribes who are building resources to share indigenous practices and create policies to take back indigenous burning rights.

Indigenize The Plate • WXXI-TV

Extraction, water displacement, and climate change have impacted food sustainability in Indigenous communities, and the combination of these challenges has also affected cultural sustainability. A Diné woman travels from the Navajo Nation to a Quechuan community in Peru to see how they address these issues in their region. 

Indigenize The Plate airs Saturday, November 15 at 3p.m. on WXXI-TV and streaming live on the WXXI app.

Indigenize The Plate tells the stories of Indigenous people across the world and shows viewers how their communities are working together to address some of the many challenges that the world faces collectively.

Photo: Two members of Oliver Alvarez’s family preparing cuy, a traditional dish of the region.

Rematriated Voices with Michelle Schenandoah • WXXI-TV

A groundbreaking talk show to empower truth, reclaim democracy, and live in balance with Mother Earth.

Rematriated Voices with Michelle Schenandoah airs Monday, November 10 through Friday, November 14 at 3 p.m. on WXXI-TV and streams live on the PBS app and the WXXI app.

Grounded in Haudenosaunee principles, Rematriated Voices invites viewers and listeners to consider their answer to one of the most common Haudenosaunee greetings, “Are you at peace?”

Episode Airdates/Times:

Doctrine of Discovery: Monday, November 10 at 3 p.m.

First Environment: Tuesday, November 11 at 3 p.m.

Hidden Roots of Democracy: Wednesday, November 12 at 3 p.m.

Eve Meets Sky Woman: Thursday, November 13 at 3 p.m.

Matrilineal Men: Friday, November 14 at 3 p.m.

Bring Them Home • WXXI-TV

Witness the Blackfoot tribe’s restoration of buffalo, culture, and land in BRING THEM HOME.

Bring Them Home airs Monday, November 24 at 10 p.m. on WXXI-TV and streams live on the PBS app and the WXXI app.

This film tells the story of a determined group of Blackfoot people striving to re-establish the first wild buffalo herd on ancestral lands since the species near extinction a century ago. The film captures the decades-long efforts to restore buffalo along with the land, re-enliven traditional culture and bring much needed healing to the Blackfeet community. Narrated and executive produced by Oscar nominee and Blackfeet / Nez Perce actor, Lily Gladstone, the film has screened at over 40 film festivals; earning multiple awards and playing as an audience favorite.

Photo credit: Thunderheart Media

American Experience “Buffy Sainte-Marie: Carry It On” • WXXI-TV

Oscar-winning Indigenous artist who rose to prominence in New York’s Greenwich Village folk music scene and has had a six-decade groundbreaking career as a singer-songwriter, social activist, educator and artist.

American Experience “Buffy Sainte-Marie: Carry It On” airs Saturday, November 1 at 4 p.m. on WXXI-TV and streaming live on the WXXI app.

Buffy Sainte-Marie: Carry It On features never-before-seen archival material, new performance footage and interviews with Sainte-Marie, Joni Mitchell, Sonia Manzano, John Kay, Robbie Robertson, Jackson Browne and others. Over a career spanning six decades, Cree musician, artist and activist Buffy Sainte-Marie has used her platform to campaign for Indigenous and women’s rights and inspired multiple generations of musicians, artists and activists.

Photo credit: Tim Ryan/Matt Barnes

The Electric Indian • WXXI-TV

Henry Boucha was a celebrated National Hockey League Player, a U.S. Olympic Silver Medalist, a United States Hockey Hall of Fame member, and a proud Ojibwa Native American. 

The Electric Indian airs Monday, November 17 at 5 p.m. on WXXI-TV. Repeats Thursday, November 27 at 8 p.m.

The late Henry Boucha’s story is one of struggle, tragedy, and triumph. The Electric Indian follows his journey from high school hockey standout to Olympic medalist and from professional stardom to crushing defeat, providing an in-depth look at his life and how he overcame the obstacles he faced on and off the ice.

Photo: Henry Boucha playing high school hockey for Warroad High School • Credit: Henry Boucha – Personal collection

Molly of Denali | Truth, Trust, and Harvest/Thanks-For-Giving | PBS KIDS

Play games and watch full episodes and podcasts of Molly of Denali on https://pbskids.org/molly

Molly, Trini, and Vera are excited to plant the community garden with Auntie Midge’s Wampanoag friend, Gertie, but the girls keep quarreling and can’t get anything done! They learn about the Three Sisters story from the Haudenosaunee, People of the Longhouse about working together to find success. /After discovering that Grandpa Nat doesn’t celebrate Thanksgiving, Molly, Tooey, and Trini learn about the history of the holiday. Motivated to help, the kids work to create a feast that honors the people who came before them.

Go to Molly of Denali: Videos, Games, Podcast & Activities for more fun.

      Keep informed about what’s happening in your community and WXXI by signing up for our newsletters.

      Sign Up