An Indigenous-made children’s TV show using human puppets to teach youth the Diné language recently earned two regional Emmys in California. After just a single season that included six episodes and a Christmas special, “Navajo Highways” had a flawless evening in late June.
“Navajo Highways” was nominated twice. The educational program streaming on First Nations Experience won a trophy for informational-instructional content short or long form — another for best set design.
“I really wanted it for the crew — the crew who believed in me,” said Pete Sands, the show’s creator. “I wanted them to feel validated — that I wasn’t just some crazy kook that came up with the puppet show, you know.”
The Utah-based director, who films in Moab, shared he’s still awestruck — even after coming back from the NATAS Pacific Southwest ceremony in La Jolla where he walked a red carpet with all of its glitz and glamour.
“I guess I’ve been out of the artist world, living in my own bubble for so long,” added Sands. “Dipping a toe back into it, I was like, ‘Yeah, I kinda like my Utah life, keeping to myself.’ And our culture is still alive.”
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