Season 2 of Molly of Denali, the award-winning animated series from GBH Boston, kicks off with a whole week of engaging new episodes, premiering this week on PBS KIDS in honor of Native American Heritage Month (check local listings)! The fan-favorite series follows the adventures of 10-year-old Molly Mabray, a curious and resourceful Alaska Native girl who lives in the fictional village of Qyah, Alaska. The new episodes feature all the signature elements that have made Molly of Denali such a big hit with kids and parents alike, including lots of outdoor adventures, a celebration of the rich and diverse Alaska Native culture, and an emphasis on the importance of family and community.
The second season of the standout series kicks off with a very special episode in which Molly finds inspiration from the real-life Alaska Native civil rights leader Elizabeth Peratrovich, who was instrumental in the passing of the first anti-discrimination law in the U.S. in 1945. Other premiere week fun for Molly and her friends includes designing a special tree house, helping to train a sled dog, searching for a rare hummingbird that migrates every year from Mexico, and finding creative ways to stay warm in the cold.
Molly of Denali is first nationally-distributed children's program to feature Native American and Alaska Native lead characters. The groundbreaking show incorporates Alaska Native voices in all aspects of the production, both on screen and behind the scenes as voiceover actors, writers, producers, musicians, animators, and story and language advisors.
I had a chance to learn more about the show in this interview.
Why was Molly of Denali originally created?
Molly was created to share about Alaska and the unique Indigenous cultures within Alaska. Previously, media had portrayed a historical and stereotypical representation of Indigenous people. After the development of Molly of Denali, the media landscape has changed and we are seeing a dramatic increase of a present-day and accurate representation of Indigenous peoples and the many different cultures. - Evans
Molly was created to tell stories that haven’t been told – in this case, stories about Alaskan Native experiences. GBH partnered with Alaska Natives to create stories and digital games that are authentic, entertaining, and groundbreaking for kids’ media. – Gillim
Why is it important to have shows for kids that showcase different ways of life around the globe?
When audiences see different cultures, they become open to different ways of life. In an age where many people are obtaining information online or onscreen it's important to share multiple perspectives to expand our understanding and grow our collective perspectives. As children become leaders in society their broad understanding of worldwide cultures and collaboration is imperative to the success of workplaces and employee satisfaction. -Evans
How can parents and caregivers maximize the impact of what kids learn from these kinds of shows?
Parents can engage with their children beyond the shows by talking about the topics that came up in the episodes, asking questions of their children on what they felt or learned from the show, and looking up more information. PBS KIDS series, like Molly of Denali, can be found on multiple platforms and have additional components like digital games, podcasts, and home activities that can help maximize the impacts of the show. - Evans
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