PBS Honors Native American Heritage Month 2026 With Powerful Stories Past And Present

This November, PBS will celebrate Native American Heritage Month with programming that brings Indigenous voices, histories and experiences to audiences across the country. Featuring series, documentaries and digital-first content, the lineup explores the enduring impact of Native American communities while offering perspectives on identity, tradition and contemporary life. Programming will be available across PBS stations, PBS.org, the PBS app and PBS digital platforms.

A new season of PATI JINICH EXPLORES PANAMERICANA premieres on October 26, highlighting the many Indigenous communities, traditions, and people that reside in the western states of Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona. James Beard Award-winning chef Pati Jinich journeys through these lands to experience their stories, traditions, and food, uncovering cultural connections that unite us all. Two new films from Native-led Vision Maker Media will debut as well: Premiering on November 2, COMING HOME: FROM SHADOWLAND TO SPIRITWORLD centers around a Kashia Pomo elder who guides seekers reclaiming homeland and a mysterious trip to Russia. And on November 9, MEDICINE BALL follows Native American college student-athletes as they examine basketball’s complicated history in Indigenous boarding schools and its transformation into a source of cultural resilience and pride.

Below is a list of Native American Heritage Month 2026 programming on PBS (check local listings), PBS.org and the PBS app.

PATI JINICH EXPLORES PANAMERICANA 

Pati Jinich continues her journey inspired by the Pan-American Highway through the Western United States from Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona to the Mexico border. From ranching towns to desert borderlands, she connects with people whose traditions and dreams reflect the many threads that make up this country. Through food, culture, and personal connection, Pati continues exploring everything that unites the Americas.

COMING HOME: FROM SHADOWLAND TO SPIRITWORLD 

After sacred land goes up for sale following 170 years of dispossession brought on by the California genocide of Native peoples, Kashia Pomo Tribal elder (Otis Parrish) mentors a pair of young Tribal members (Martina Morgan and Jerry Pinola) on a journey seeking coastal land return and self-recovery that inspires healing, spiritual revival, and a search for the truth about those Tribal members gone missing and murdered.

MEDICINE BALL

Follow Native American college student-athletes at the University of Minnesota Morris as they explore the complex history of basketball in Indigenous boarding schools and its evolution into a symbol of cultural resilience.

Other programs available to stream include NATIVE AMERICA (seasons One and Two), and episodes from ANTIQUES ROADSHOW, FINDING YOUR ROOTS, INDEPENDENT LENS, NOVA and POV.  PBS KIDS will feature encore programming from ARTHUR, LET’S GO LUNA, XAVIER RIDDLE AND THE SECRETMUSEUM and MOLLY OF DENALI to celebrate Native American Heritage Month. 

“Native American Heritage Month is an important opportunity to elevate Indigenous voices and share stories that deepen our understanding of the people, histories and traditions that have shaped our country,” said Geoff Daniels, VP, Programming & Development, PBS. “Through stories of resilience, cultural preservation and contemporary life, this year’s programming reflects the richness and range of Native American experiences, both past and present.” 

PBS DIGITAL STUDIOS
On YouTube, PBS has new digital programming, including a PBS FILM CLUB episode spotlighting Indigenous women on November 12 on the PBS Documentaries channel, and a ROGUE HISTORY episode on Crow Dog premiering November 17 on the PBS Origins channel. More digital-first programming will be highlighted in a special playlist featuring episodes from digital series A PEOPLE’S HISTORY OF NATIVE AMERICA, THE STORY IN US, IN THE MARGINS and REEL SOUTH.

PBS PLUS

BAD PRESS
Premieres Sunday, November 1 on PBS stations (check local listings), and on PBS.org and the PBS app
When the Muscogee Nation suddenly begins censoring its free press, a rogue reporter fights to expose her government’s corruption in a historic battle that will have ramifications for all of Indian country.

PBS LEARNINGMEDIA
To support teachers and celebrate Native American Heritage Month, PBS LearningMedia is highlighting top classroom resources that showcase vibrant and engaging stories of Native American and Indigenous communities, leaders, and accomplishments across the globe. Featured educational content and support materials come from Sovereign Innovations, Indigi-Genius, Native America, Indigenous Stories, Molly of Denali, The American Revolution, and more.