TPT Launches New Initiative Twin Cities PBS Honors Native Cultures

St. Paul, Minn. (October 16, 2018) — Twin Cities PBS (TPT) is launching a new initiative, Twin Cities PBS Honors Native Cultures, celebrating and honoring indigenous cultures by airing original productions that share stories of Native Americans in Minnesota. The initiative also coincides with the larger PBS premiere of the new series “Native America” and kicks off with the series’ premiere on October 23.

The initiative features 11-12 programs including the much-anticipated “The People’s Protectors” and “Ohiyesa: The Soul of an Indian.” “The People’s Protectors” documentary is produced by TPT’s very own Leya Hale, an award-winning documentary producer and member of the Dakota nation, in conjunction with Vision Maker Media – a nonprofit that empowers and engages native people to share their stories through media. The documentary explores the strong tradition of military service in Native American culture and how the participation of indigenous people in the Vietnam War challenged their values. The premiere of the documentary on November 1 comes just in time to celebrate November as National Native American Heritage Month.

“Ohiyesa: The Soul of an Indian” is also highly anticipated following the journey of Kate Beane, an urban, Dakota scholar, and her family as they retrace the footsteps of the celebrated relative, Ohiyesa, recounting his remarkable life from traditional Dakota boyhood to his role as a physician, author, lecturer and Native American advocate.

A variety of other programming will fill out October and November including series – “Skindigenous” and “Growing Up Native,” film - “Dawnland,” and specials – “Reclaiming Sacred Tobacco,” “Art and Life of George Morrison,” “First Speakers: Restoring the Ojibwe Language,” “Jingle Dress Traditions,” and “Hunting in Wartime.” The variety of programming highlights various issues, traditions, and notable changemakers in the Native American community.

TPT is also hosting several events in tandem with the initiative including three screenings of “The People’s Protectors” and a screening of “Rumble: The Indians who Rocked the World” – part of the PBS Independent film show called Independent Lens.

For more information about the initiative, programming, and events, please visit tpt.org/nativecultures.

About Twin Cities PBS (TPT)

The mission of TPT is to enrich lives and strengthen our community through the power of media. As one of the nation’s leading public media organizations, Twin Cities PBS (TPT) uses television, interactive media and community engagement to advance education, culture and citizenship. In its nearly 60-year history, TPT has been recognized for its innovation and creativity with numerous awards, including Peabody awards, and national and regional Emmys.

Based in Saint Paul, MN, TPT is one of the most highly viewed public TV stations in the nation, reaching more than 1.7 million people each month through multiple broadcast and online channels. The organization’s particular areas of focus include: the educational readiness of children; serving the needs and unleashing the potential of America’s aging population; engaging a new generation in the power of public media; and being the preferred media partner for organizations that align with our mission to enrich lives and strengthen community.