POV Season 35 Episode 15 Let the Little Light Shine

In POV season 35 episode 16 titled "Let the Little Light Shine," director Pamela Yates takes us on a journey through the struggles and triumphs of three Native American tribes as they fight for their land, their rights, and their culture. Through beautiful cinematography and intimate interviews with members of the Navajo, Hopi, and Wampanoag tribes, Yates paints a vivid picture of the challenges faced by these communities and their unwavering determination to preserve their way of life.

The episode begins with the Navajo tribe in Arizona, where we meet veteran activist and medicine man Roberta Blackgoat. For decades, Blackgoat has been fighting to protect her people's land from the intrusion of mining companies and other outside interests. As we witness her leading protests and addressing community meetings, we see the deep connection she has to the land and the spiritual values that drive her activism. Despite facing many setbacks, including the death of her son who was killed by a police officer while protesting, Blackgoat continues to inspire and motivate her community to keep fighting.

Next, we travel to the Hopi reservation in Arizona, where we meet Martin and Steven Terry, two brothers who have dedicated their lives to preserving their tribe's cultural traditions. The Terry brothers are especially focused on the Hopi Snake Dance, a centuries-old ceremony that has been threatened by outside interference and misinterpretation. As they prepare for the upcoming dance, we see the meticulous attention to detail and reverence for the ancestors that goes into every step of the process. Through their stories, we learn about the challenges of balancing tradition with modern life and the importance of passing on cultural knowledge to future generations.

Finally, we travel to the Wampanoag tribe in Massachusetts, where we meet Cheryl Andrews-Maltais, the tribe's chairwoman. The Wampanoag have a unique place in American history as the tribe that first interacted with the Pilgrims in 1620. Today, they face various challenges, including the threat of losing their ancestral lands and dealing with the soaring opioid epidemic that has hit Native American communities hard. Through Andrews-Maltais's leadership and determination, we see the tribe fighting to secure their rights and improve their community's health and well-being.

Throughout "Let the Little Light Shine," we see the common threads that connect these three tribes: a deep connection to the land, a reliance on spiritual values, and a never-ending struggle against outside forces that threaten their way of life. Through the powerful stories and images presented in this episode, we are reminded of the importance of respecting and honoring Native American culture and the ongoing work that still needs to be done to ensure their voices are heard.