Nine Things to Watch on WTTW for Native American Heritage Month

November is Native American Heritage Month, and WTTW has programming that honors the history, culture, and traditions of Indigenous peoples, including new shows on the Indigenous knowledge on the history of the evolution of the horse in North America, the story of the Lakota language, and an Ojibwa U.S. Olympic Silver Medalist hockey player. Plus, a new Antiques Roadshow explores incredible art and artifacts from Indigenous creators and history makers.

Native America

Sundays starting November 3 at 9:00 am on WTTW Prime
In season 1, explore the world created by America’s First Peoples. This season reaches back 15,000 years to reveal massive cities aligned to the stars, unique systems of science and spirituality, and 100 million people connected by social networks spanning two continents. Season 2 offers a groundbreaking portrait of contemporary Indian Country and reveals the beauty and power of today’s Indigenous world. Smashing stereotypes, it follows the brilliant engineers, bold politicians, and cutting-edge artists who draw upon Native tradition to build a better 21st century.

Native Horse

Sunday, November 3 at 11:30 am on WTTW
Native Horse tells the history of the evolution of the horse in North America, exploring the horse-human connection throughout history to today. Through new research, Native Horse examines the true origin story of the horse, dispelling the notion that the horse was introduced by Europeans. Rooted in Lakota and Western science, the film dispels the conventional academic contradictions and delves into Indigenous knowledge that offers a more complete understanding of the horse, its evolution, and its bond with Indigenous people.

Antiques Roadshow: Celebrating Native American Heritage

Monday, November 4 at 7:00 pm on WTTW and Saturday, November 9 at 7:00 pm on WTTW Prime
Celebrate incredible art and artifacts from Indigenous creators and history makers. Was a Sioux beaded vest, ca. 1876, a Ruth Muskrat Bronson archive, or a Carrie Bethel basket the top $75,000 to $150,000 find?

Little Bird

Wednesdays starting November 6 at 8:00 pm on WTTW Prime
In 1968, five-year-old Bezhig Little Bird was forcibly removed from Long Pine Reserve and adopted into a Jewish family in Montreal, and renamed Esther Rosenblum. Eighteen years later, she embarks on a journey to unravel her history. Through this epic journey of connection and self-discovery, Bezhig Little Bird begins to find her lost family and put the pieces of her fragmented past back together. Read recaps for the episodes here.

Oyate Woyaka

Saturday, November 16 at 8:00 am on WTTW Prime
Oyate Woyaka tells the story of the Lakota language’s history, loss, and revitalization. The film touches on the deep history and spirituality of the language, the shocking history that caused Lakota to be on the verge of extinction, and the modern efforts being made to bring the language back to life and the immense challenges this effort faces.

The Electric Indian

Saturday, November 16 at 9:00 am on WTTW Prime

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 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.

Playing Like A Girl: The House that Rob Built

Sunday, November 17 at 11:00 am on WTTW

In an era when gender discrimination in sports was the norm, Coach Selvig built a “house” of inclusion and empowerment at the University of Montana by recruiting female athletes from ranches, farms, and Native reservations.

American Buffalo

Sunday, November 17 at 12:00 pm on WTTW
Uncover the dramatic story of how America’s national mammal, which sustained the lives of Native people, was driven to the brink of extinction. Ken Burns recounts the tragic collision of two opposing views of the natural world.

Cruise Boom: A Community on the Cusp of Change

Saturday, November 23 at 6:00 am on WTTW
Cruise Boom is an intimate portrait of a community on the cusp of change. As the picturesque town braces for an impending influx of cruise ship tourists, residents confront the complex interplay of economic opportunity and the preservation of their community’s essence.