Native American culture and stories have increasingly found a powerful voice in television in recent years.
Through indigenous actors, storytellers, and creators, these shows provide audiences with rich narratives that blend contemporary issues, tradition, and identity.
Here are the best Native American TV shows you can watch right now that stand out for their compelling storytelling, quality, and cultural depth.
1. Reservation Dogs
Cast: D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Devery Jacobs, Pauliana Alexis, Lane Factor, Elva Guerra, Sarah Podemski, Lil Mike, Funny Bone, Zahn McClarnon, Jude Barnett, Xavier Bigpond, Dallas Goldtooth, Jack Maricle, Jana Schmieding, Jon Proudstar, Richard Ray Whitman, Matty Cardarople, and Casey Camp-Horinek.
Sterlin Harjo and Taika Waititi created Reservation Dogs.
This groundbreaking comedy-drama follows the lives of four Native teenagers in rural Oklahoma as they navigate life on the reservation, adolescence, loss, and dreams.
Notably, the show is celebrated for its authentic representation, dark humour, and candid exploration of emotional depth.
2. Rutherford Falls
Cast: Ed Helms, Michael Greyeyes, Jana Schmieding, Jesse Leigh, Dustin Milligan, Dana L. Wilson, Julia Jones, Bovvy Wilson, Beth Stelling, Dallas Goldtooth, Mimi Gianopulos, Adam Farabee, Geraldione Keams, Kaniehtiio Horn, Benjamin Koldyke, Bill Glass, Monica Padman, and Kimberly Guerrero.
Secondly, Rutherford Falls is a comedy series co-created by Sierra Teller Ornelas.
The show centres on a small town’s history clash and the unexpected friendship between two men, one white and the other a Native American, as they confront legacy, memory, and identity.
Further, Rutherford Falls is one of the first mainstream shows to prominently feature Native American history and culture in a comedic format handled by Indigenous writers.
3. Dark Winds
Cast: Zahn McClarnon, Kiowa Gordon, Jessica Matten, Deanna Allison, Natalie Benally, A Martinez, Andersen Kee, Wade Adakai, Elva Guerra, DezBaa, Ryan Begay, Jenna Elfman, Betty Ann Tsosie, Alex Meraz, Rainn Wilson, Nicholas Logan, Tanantzin Carmelo, Jeremiah Bitsui.
Dark Winds follows Navajo Tribal Police Officers Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee as they investigate crimes that blend thriller elements with Navajo teachings and indigenous spirituality, based on Tony Hillerman’s bestselling novels.
It is a great watch for its gripping mystery arcs and rich cultural context woven through each storyline.
4. Echo
Cast: Alaqua Cox, Chaske Spencer, Tantoo Cardinal, Graham Greene, Devery Jacobs, Cody Lightning, Morningstar Angeline, Dannie McCallum, Braydee Cardinal, Vincent D’Onofrio, Dranell Besaw, Katarina Ziervogel, Isabella Madrigal, Wren Zhawenim Gotts, Pather Tiwa, Thosh Collins, Seth Fairchild, Zahn McClarnon.
Echo is Marvel’s first series centred on a Native American and deaf superhero.
The series explores the backstory of Maya Lopez, a fierce antihero trying to reconcile her cultural identity, rough upbringing, and trauma.
Additionally, Echo is one of the most authentic portrayals of Native heritage in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), with intense action mixed with indigenous storytelling.
5. Spirit Rangers
Cast: Talon Proc Alford, Esther Mbire, Kimberly Guerrero, Shaun Taylor-Corbett, Jaylan Evans, G.K. Bowes, Jake Hart, Wacinyenya Iwasaka Yrachetam Isis Celilo Rogers, Cree Summer, Bobby Wilson, John Timothy, Adrianne Chalepah, Deanna M.AD., Brody Bett, Sky Lakota-Lynch, Wes Studi, and Christopher Woodley.
Spirit Rangers is a vibrant children’s series created by Karissa Valencia.
The show follows three indigenous siblings who transform into spirit animals to protect their national park.
Furthermore, the show is created and voiced largely by Native talent, with storytelling that uplifts indigenous heroism.
6. The Red Road
Cast: Martin Henderson, Jason Momoa, Julianne Nicholson, Tamara Tunie, Kiowa Gordon, Alice Gonino, Annalise Basso, Nick Gomez, Antoni Corone, Mike Farrell, Tom Sizemore, Lisa Bonet, Gary Farmer, Griff Furst, Antony Collins, Wes Studi, Timothy Douglas Perez, Del Zamora.
The Red Road is a gripping drama set in a New Jersey town near the Ramapough Mountain Indian community that explores tense relationships, the collision between tribal and non-tribal societies, and identity.
To add to that, the show is praised for addressing issues of Native sovereignty, addiction, and law enforcement from multiple perspectives.
7. Outer Range
Cast: Josh Brolin, Tamara Podemski, Imogen Poots, Lil Taylor, Tom Pelphrey, Lewis Pullman, Shaun Sipos, Noah Reid, Isabel Arraiza, Olive Abercrombie, Will Patton, Morningstar Angeline, Ofelia Garcia, Teaguen Arbogast, Mathew Maher, Sam Strike, Deirdre O’Connell, and Christian James.
Outer Range is a genre-bending drama starring Josh Brolin as a rancher in Wyoming confronting native prophecy and mysterious supernatural forces.
The show intertwines cowboy Western with land issues and Indigenous mysticism.
Similarly, the show is unique for blending Native spirituality with modern Western themes, providing a nuanced portrayal of Indigenous connections to land.
8. Mohawk Girls
Cast: Brittany LeBorgne, Heather White, Maika Harper, Jenny Pudavick, Meegwun Fairbrother, Allyson Pratt, Kyle Nobess, Rachelle White Wind Arbez, Glen Gould, Jimmy Blais, LeeLee Greene, Ashley Michaels, Shawn Youngchef, Jefferey Wetsch, Lawrence Bayne, Dwain Murphy, Akotene Chanoine, and Devery Jacobs.
Mohawk Girls is a Canadian dramedy that chronicles the lives of four Mohawk women as they balance tradition, modernity, and personal aspirations in Kahnawake, Quebec.
Additionally, the show authentically portrays the challenges and joys of Indigenous women navigating contemporary urban and cultural life.
9. Trickster
Cast: Joel Oulette, Crystle Lightning, Kalani Queypo, Anna Lambe, Nathan Alexis, Craig Lauzon, Gail Maurice, Joel Thomas Hynes, Kirsten Johnson, Darren Hynes, Mark Camacho, Georgina Lightning, Andrea Ciacci, Griffin Powell-Arcand, Bianca Nugara, Rebekah Manella, Ziibiwan, and Jamie Spilchuk.
Trickster is a supernatural thriller rooted in Haisla mythology.
It follows a troubled teen who discovers he’s connected to ancient indigenous magic. Trickster blends modern coming-of-age drama and folklore.
10. Little Bird
Cast: Darla Contois, Ellyn Jade, Alanna Bale, Osawa Muskwa, Janet Kidder, Keris Hope Hill, Gideon Starr, Darren Ross, Eric Schweig, Lisa Edelstein, Kristian Jordan, Michelle Thrush, Tayton Mianskum, Charlotte Cutler, Braeden Clarke, Rowen Kahn, Ivana Yellowback, ASila-Sofia Tailfeathers
Little Bird is a critically acclaimed drama inspired by the Sixties Scoop, which is the government practice of taking Indigenous children from their families.