Native American ‘Peoples of the Susquehanna’ documentary premieres Nov. 16 on WVIA
From a press release:
“Peoples of the Susquehanna,” an original documentary film produced by Bucknell University and WVIA Public Media, will premiere on Thursday, Nov. 16 at 8 p.m. on WVIA-TV. The one-hour program examines the history, cultures, and traditions of the Native Americans of the Susquehanna River watershed.
The film explores tribes of the Eastern Woodlands, the Susquehannocks, the Lenni Lenape, and the Six Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy, as well as findings of varied prehistoric tribes whose existence dates back over 1,000 years ago.
“Their influence on arriving European settlers in the 17th and 18th centuries was significant. But the clash of cultures with the settlers drove these indigenous peoples off of the lands of their ancestors. Their contributions to the American society we know today are largely forgotten… unless you know where to look,” stated WVIA’s Kris Hendrickson, director and editor of the film.
Hendrickson interviewed leaders, artists, teachers, and citizens of the Lenni Lenape and Iroquois Confederacy, learning of their traditions, their philosophies, and how they influence today’s industrial world.
Alf Siewers, professor and chair of Bucknell University’s English department, said, “Since 2010, the Stories of the Susquehanna Valley environmental humanities project at Bucknell has been developing interdisciplinary curriculum, undergraduate work, and published scholarly and digital projects, including student-produced documentaries. Our students, faculty, and staff have partnered with WVIA on public projects that engage communities in the region, especially with a focus on the Susquehanna watershed. Video storytelling is a natural part of that effort, and WVIA is expert at that.”
Encores of the program will air on Friday, Nov. 17 at 2 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 21 at 4 p.m., and Thursday, Nov. 23 at 8 p.m. on WVIA-TV.
WVIA Public Media is a catalyst, convener, and educator, using media, partnerships, powerful ideas, and programs to improve lives and advance the best attributes of an enlightened society.
Founded in 1846 along the banks of the Susquehanna River in historic Lewisburg, Bucknell University is a selective, highly ranked national university that stands at the intersection of top-ranked liberal arts, engineering, and management programs. Students choose from more than 50 majors and 60 minors in the arts, engineering, humanities, management, and natural and social sciences, as well as extensive global study, service learning, and research opportunities.
Bucknell’s 3,600 undergraduates enjoy a low 9:1 student-faculty ratio and exceptional opportunities to collaborate with faculty. Bucknell offers students outstanding leadership opportunities, including through more than 150 students clubs and 27 Division I athletic teams.
