“Navajo Highways” is a children’s TV show using puppets to teach kids Diné — the Navajo language — and their culture.
The show has gotten in a festive mood by premiering a new holiday special earlier this month.
The episode is called "Yáʼátʼééh Késhmish," and on this Christmas eve in the fictional Mitten Creek we follow young Sadie and her family’s return to the reservation. Series creator Pete Sands lives in Utah and drew inspiration from his own life: 1989.
“That was the last Christmas I had with my father and my two younger sisters alive. That’s the story,” said Sands. “In the script, there’s a note underneath the title and nobody ever asked me about it until we wrapped shooting.”
And his favorite scene is when Sadie’s parents show up, giving her confidence at the big pageant after being suddenly called away — describing that moment like a “last-minute miracle” made popular by family television shows from the ‘80s and ‘90s.
This season, Sands hopes his story brings holiday cheer to all who hear.
“We need more Indigenous stories revolving around holidays,” added Sands. “We don’t see that a lot. And next year, we talked about doing a Halloween special, so we try to hit different holidays besides Christmas.”
First Nations Experience, a broadcast television network dedicated to Indigenous content, is the official home of “Navajo Highways.” More than half of all states air the program, including Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming.
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Patty Talahongva is an Arizona native and a longtime journalist; she’s also directed and produced documentaries, among other roles.
