KCET Celebrates Native American Heritage Mon with Special Programming

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:

Ayn Allen or Rachel Coulson

KCETLink Communications Department

747-201-5886; aallen@kcet.org

747-201-5707; rcoulson@kcet.org

KCET Celebrates Native American Heritage Month

With Special Programming

BURBANK, CA - Nov. 5, 2014, 2014 -KCET, the nations largest independent public television station serving Southern and Central California, commemorates Native American Heritage Month in November with documentaries 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 Native Americans have made in enriching our countrys identity and cultural heritage. With the exception of Sitting Bull: A Stone in My Heart, this marks the KCET debut for all the films.

Additional videos and exclusive web content also showcased on http://www.kcet.org/socal/heritage/native_american/

WARRIORS RETURN: Wednesday, November 5 at 9 p.m.

and Sunday, Nov. 9 at 11:30 p.m.

Navajo veterans of beautiful Canyon de Chelly, Arizona have served as Code Talkers in WWII, Army Rangers in Viet Nam and most recently in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. However, their dedication and courage in battle has not protected them from the formidable challenges facing them when they return home. Viewers will see how strong women, traditional healing and western talk therapy are helping these warriors return.

GRAB: Friday, Nov. 14 at 9 p.m.

An official selection at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival, GRAB is an intimate portrait of the little-documented Grab Day in the villages of New Mexicos Laguna Pueblo tribe. This community-wide prayer of abundance, thanks and renewal exists at the intersection of traditional native and contemporary Western cultures. Each year, Laguna Pueblo villagers honor Catholic saints and family members by showering food and gifts from the rooftops of their homes upon the community gathered below. Narrated by actress Parker Posey, the film follows three families as they prepare for the annual event, chronicling their lives for the year leading up to Grab Day.

SACRED STICK: Sunday, Nov. 16 at 11:30 p.m.

SACRED STICK examines the historical, cultural, and spiritual aspects of lacrosse. From the ancient Maya to the world famous Iroquois Nationals team, this program explores the cultural diffusion and transmutation of a uniquely indigenous sport that, like Native people themselves, adapted and endured within the dominant culture.

FOR THE GENERATIONS: NATIVE STORY & PERFORMANCE

Friday, Nov. 21 at 9 p.m.

The efforts of contemporary Native performers to recast themselves in the 21st century are examined in FOR THE GENERATIONS co-produced by OPB and Painted Sky. Told through original performance footage and the artists own words, this documentary explores health and fitness issues that plague Native youth on and off the reservations.

AS LONG AS WE DANCE: Sunday, Nov. 23, 11:30 p.m.

As Long As We Dance is a glimpse inside the 11th and final New Faces of An Ancient People Traditional American Indian Powwow held in State College, PA. It features the stories of American Indian dancers, drummers, vendors and organizers from various tribes, who travel thousands of miles to participate in the powwow each year and shows the impact the event has had on them and the surrounding central Pennsylvania community. The powwow is a place where people find themselves, connect with their culture and pass on their traditions to the next generation.

OUR FIRES STILL BURN: THE NATIVE AMERICAN EXPERIENCE

Tuesday, Nov. 25 at 9 p.m.

This exciting and compelling one hour documentary invites viewers into the lives of contemporary Native American role models living in the U.S. Midwest. It dispels the myth that American Indians have disappeared from the American horizon, and reveals how they continue to persist, heal from the past, confront the challenges of today, keep their culture alive, and make great contributions to society.

SITTING BULL: A STONE IN MY HEART Friday, Nov. 28 at 9 p.m.

This award-winning documentary makes extensive use of the words of Sitting Bull, one of Americas legendary figures in all his complexities as a leader of the great Sioux Nation, in presenting the story of a warrior, spiritual leader and skilled diplomat. Sitting Bulls words are spoken by Adam Fortunate Eagle. Augmented by a narrators historical perspective, over six-hundred historical photographs and images, and a compelling original music score, the film brings to life the little-know human side of Sitting Bull as well as the story of a great mans struggle to maintain his peoples way of life against an ever-expanding westward movement of white settlers. Winner of the Best Documentary award at the Big Water Film Festival; Best Documentary Feature (second Place) Native American Voices (second place) at the Fargo Film Festival; Office Selection at Santa Barbara International Film Festival, American Indian Film Festival (San Francisco), Tiburon International Film Festival, and the Ojai Film Festival.

ABOUT KCET

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. Throughout its 50-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 childrens 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 K

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