Molly of Denali

This show obviously wont appeal to any narrow minded racists, which makes me love it more!

I happened across this while randomly flipping through channels and was pleasantly surprised. The young characters are curious and excited, as children of that age usually are. Like Dora the Explorer, Wild Kratts, and Nature Cat the characters learn something new in each episode. In this series the young girl teaches basic internet literacy, map reading, and general problem solving, all while learning and celebrating her Native culture. The teaching isn't blatant but is the kind that kids will pick up on and parents will be pleasantly surprised at the understanding of technology and cultural themes their children develop. I was also surprised that it brought me to tears in one episode that mentions the assimilation campaigns that many Native peoples endured, a hard subject for adults, let alone children. Despite the difficulty of the subject, the writers didn't shy away from it but handled it naturally. I was thrilled to find that finally there is a show about Native children that is respectful, interesting, and shows what people often forget, that Native peoples aren't gone, we've been here the whole time.

My four year old has grown up on Thomas the Train and Curious George. He is now totally into this show and I am enjoying watching it as well. It's a new part of the country that a lot of people will never get to visit or explore. It also has cool educational tools like research and analytical skills. Finally, I like how it explores kinship and the importance of intergenerational relationships. I highly recommend if you have small kids and are already fans of PBS.

The episode "Grandpa's Drum" is a personal favorite.

I was flabbergasted to see such harsh negative reviews of what our family sees as one of the best new cartoons on TV. My very Caucasian 3-year-old has rewatched the first couple of episodes so many times she's singing the indigenous language song by memory! ... I have to believe that nonwhite representation and the associated sensibilities are part of what drives such negativity in the comments below.

Teaches young ones about Nature, Native Culture, and how to enjoy the Outdoors