In today's world, information is easy to come by — all it takes is turning on the television, radio, or checking the Internet. However, for Native Americans, news for or about their cultures is not regularly covered and can be hard to find. As recently as thirty years ago, there was very little programming for Native Americans. Today, national public media programs like National Native News and Native America Calling allow Native Americans to learn about issues affecting them locally and nationally. More and more, local public media stations in areas with a high Native American population are creating programming specifically for the Native American audience.
In Anchorage, Alaska, KAKM, an Alaska Public Media station, is bringing Alaskan Native cultures alive to young viewers with In My Family.
Created by KAKM, in collaboration with the Alaska Native Cultural Charter School, the Alaska Native Heritage Center, and First Alaskans Institute, In My Family is a series of short sketches that air during KAKM's children's programming. The sketches introduce young viewers to the diverse cultures and Native languages in Alaska. Every week a special guest joins In My Family host Raven, a puppet character, to teach him about the Alaskan indigenous language the guest's family speaks. KAKM chose to use a raven as the show's host because of the presence of ravens in Alaska, as well as in Native Alaskan stories. The guest, sometimes dressed in traditional clothing, teaches Raven how to pronounce an English word in the guest's Alaskan Native tongue. The word of the week is also spelled out on the bottom screen.
“Teaching and preserving Alaska Native languages is essential for understanding the history of Native Alaskan people, as languages are a strong reflection of our cultures,” said Sophie Minich, President and CEO of Cook Inlet Region Inc. “Youth who are exposed and taught about other languages are more likely to be accepting of people who come from different cultures; therefore, In My Family is helping to raise cultural sensitivity and awareness while preserving Native Alaskan cultural heritage.”
The popularity of In My Family is already evident by Raven's busy schedule. “Raven has been invited to come to the Alaska Native Cultural Charter School to visit the kids and he has also been invited to the Alaska Native Heritage Center to meet visitors and kids. He has already made an appearance at the Alaska State Fair,” said Pat Yack, Chief Content Officer at Alaska Public Media. “Beyond these celebrity visits, we plan to expand Raven's appearances on television by creating additional interstitials celebrating language, culture, learning, and values.”
KAKM and In My Family plan to introduce more words in more local languages, as well as adding other animal hosts prominent in Native Alaskan culture such as the bear, whale, and eagle.
In South Dakota, Native Americans make up the state's largest minority. In keeping with public media's mission to provide programming for all audiences, South Dakota Public Broadcasting (SDPB) is producing content for Native American listeners and viewers of all ages. Currently, SDPB is the only mainstream media in the state that consistently covers Native American culture and issues in depth.
South Dakota Focus, a current events program, recently featured the Lakota Voice Project, an initiative to help reduce the number of teen suicides on reservations. The episode was a result of a producer reaching out to the Native American community. Another television program, Dakota Life, dedicated an episode to the discovery of an ancient Native American village and the meanings behind stone effigies that are still visible around the state today. SDPB also airs Lakota Berenstain Bears, the first Native American language cartoon series of its kind. On the radio, Dakota Midday often includes news and interviews of interest to Native Americans, including discussion about programs and initiatives designed to help Native Americans, the history of Native Americans in South Dakota, and an interview the great grandson of Chief Sitting Bull.
SDPB has also undertaken several projects directed at educating and celebrating Native American culture throughout the state. Tribes of Dakota is a radio project examining the unique history and culture of the state's Native Americans. The three-part series includes interviews with Yankton Sioux tribal members, Lakota Elders, and residents of the Rosebud and Flandreau Reservations on topics including famous Native Americans throughout U.S. history, and myths and misinformation about Native American culture.
Lakota word that highlights a difference between Christian and Lakota teachings. (listen)
In 2006, the South Dakota Department of Education commissioned SDPB to produce educational programming and teaching materials about local Native American tribes. The goal was to expand the teaching of the Native American experience.
“The response has been positive, and the programs fulfill a vital role in South Dakota's educational system,” said Ruth Bylander, Public Relations and Grants Manager at South Dakota Public Broadcasting. “The programs are sometimes part of a required three-semester-hour South Dakota Indian Studies course. For many teachers, the required courses will be the only Native American studies experiences they have to offer.”
The documentary Oceti Sakowin - Seven Council Fires serves as an introduction to the tribes of South Dakota and their 600 year history. The film explains the differences between versions of Western society history and Native American history. For example, the original native people of Dakota made up of the Lakota, Dakota, and the Nakota tribes, believe they originated in the region, while Western science and history suggest they migrated to what is now known as South Dakota.
Another SDPB production created specifically for South Dakota teachers is Bridging the Gap: Native American Education. The training video provides teachers with insight into the cultural differences and socio-economic challenges faced by Native American students on a daily basis. The video offers teaching tools and possible solutions for teachers in the classroom and in one-on-one sessions with a student.
October is a very special month for Native Americans in South Dakota. October 14 is Native American Day, a state holiday in South Dakota. To celebrate SDPB Radio will present a special show on Native American issues, while SDPB Television will air Dakota 38, a film about one Native American man's journey and the communities that help him along the way.