Television - Local Productions

History and Heritage

The traditions and events that shaped the prairie region.


All My Relatives: Independent producer Mary John, who is an enrolled member of Spirit Lake Nation and the featured family’s fourth generation, created "All My Relatives" in association with Prairie Public. Beginning with the turn of the century, “All My Relatives” examines government policies, assimilation, and tribal evolution. The program shows how the near loss and recovery of the Native American identity, customs and beliefs are issues that still affect the present generation. The film, John says, also fills an educational niche. “As a native producer, I feel there is a lack of television productions created by Native Americans for Native Americans—using our own experiences, and in our own words. There is a great need for this kind of curriculum material in the schools, particularly tribal schools. Equally important is the need to educate non-Indians about the real lives of Indian people today.” Purchase the VHS by calling 800-359-6900.
Assiniboine Park: A Park For All Seasons: Just five miles west of the centre of Winnipeg sits Assiniboine Parkóa Manitoba landmark that has charmed visitors from around the world for nearly a century. "Assiniboine Park: A Park For All Seasons" explores the beauty and captures the magic of the park's ever-changing landscape.
The Bank of North Dakota: During the early 1900s, North Dakota’s economy was dangerously dependent on a single industry – agriculture, an industry controlled by financial interests outside the state. To diversify the economy and regain control of its financial future, North Dakota created a unique asset: the state-owned Bank of North Dakota. North Dakota is the only state in the union with a state-owned bank.

Bonanza Farms Prairie Giants of the Northern Plains: Don't confuse these farms with the TV show starring Lorne Greene or the restaurant with the buffet. Bonanza Farms were giant farms that sprung up throughout the Red River Valley over a century ago and shaped the course of change in the northern plains.
Clean, Clear Water: Have you ever wondered where all the good water you use every day comes from? We take our water for granted, but cool, refreshing, good-tasting water doesn't happen by magic. At the program's companion web site, Prairie Public Television takes a historical look at how water from the Red River has been processed to meet the needs of the pioneers, and how modern plants and processes continue to provide quality water.
Energy: Powering North Dakota's Economy: What is the future for North Dakota’s energy industry? Is the state as attractive as it could be for alternative energy developers? “Energy: Powering North Dakota’s Economy,” investigates the budding renewable fuels potential for North Dakota and reviews the state of our existing coal and oil resources. Prairie Public producer Matt Olien has investigated the boons and busts of the past and explored the state’s current issues.
Fort Buford: Fort Buford stood in splendid isolation at the confluence of the Yellowstone and Missouri rivers in present day North Dakota for almost 30 years—from 1866 to 1895. This menacing sentinel guarded an important transportation route that became a lifeline for federal troops during the plains wars of the 1870s. In 1881, Native American leader Sitting Bull surrendered at Fort Buford.
Germans From Russia Children of the Steppe, Children of the Prairie: This strongly knit ethnic group that settled the prairie of America migrated not once -- but twice! When Catherine the Great of Russia offered land to German farmers longing for farms of their own, they never dreamed they would have to resettle half a world away before their dreams would come true.
Germans from Russia Food Pantry: This documentary from Prairie Public Television brings together three public television favorites! SCHMECKFEST: FOOD TRADITIONS OF THE GERMANS FROM RUSSIA and RECIPES FROM GRANDMA'S KITCHEN Volumes I and II have been combined in one viewing package.
Herd About the Prairie: A Virtual Art Stampede: Regional artists have transformed a herd of gray fiberglass vison figures into vibrant works of art. Prairie Public followed the artists through the process of designing, creating and completing the bison to create a documentary that celebrates the history of our region and this unique public arts project. Prairie Public produced the documentary in partnership with the Lake Agassiz Arts Council. To learn more, visit www.herdabouttheprairie.org.
History of North Dakota Class B Boys Basketball One Shining Moment: The rich history of North Dakota's premiere sporting event comes alive in this painstakingly researched, stirring documentary. The great players who made their mark in the Class B are interviewed, players like John Rygg of Mayville-Portland, Henry Milkey of Minot Model, Jerry Pyle of Central Cass and Scott Guldseth of Edinburg. The great coaches like Ed Beyer of Hillsboro and Newburg's Bob Hnskor are included. And the great teams like the 1996-97 Mayville-Portland-Clifford-Galesburg and 1976 LaMoure. Plus the great games are profiled such as the epic title game between mighty Hillsboro and tiny Epping -- the ultimate David and Goliath matchup.
Jefferson on Lewis and Clark: Taped live at the Lewis and Clark Signature Event at the University of Mary, Bismarck, ND, this is a fascinating first-person cultural commentary about Lewis and Clark's North Dakota journey throught they eyes of the man who ordered the expedition--Thomas Jefferson.

Lake Winnipeg's Paradise Beaches: Winnipeg Beach, Grand Beach, Victoria Beach, and the thriving port of Gimli have drawn cottagers, residents and day-trippers since the turn of the century. Join us on the south shores of Lake Winnipeg for a tour of Lake Winnipeg's beautiful paradise beach areas.

Lewis and Clark Pathways: Lewis And Clark Pathways follows the Missouri River and uses the famous expedition as a roadmap for discovering the beauty, folklore, and people of North Dakota - both past and present. Amy Mossett, tourism director of Three Affiliated Tribes and descendant of Sakakawea, guides us on a journey through along the rich and scenic riverway followed 200 years ago by the Corp of Discovery on their momentous journey through North Dakota.
The Mennonites of Manitoba: On the prairie, some of the old ways change slowly. This documentary explores how the Mennonite culture maintains its connections to its historical beliefs while living surrounded by the modern world in Winnipeg and Manitoba. Click here to learn more about the Mennonite way of life and the forces that are challenging these tightly knit communities.
The New Pioneers: North Dakota is worrying about the great number of people leaving our pastures for greener ones. In the midst of our concern about out-migration, North Dakota is quietly experiencing a new wave of settlers. Prairie Public Television's local documentary "The New Pioneers" finds that these settlers, like the state's first pioneers, are able to see North Dakota's wide-open spaces are full of opportunity.
North To The Mandan Nation: Lewis and Clark's expedition was state of the art in 1804 but doesn't quite measure up to the comfort today's travelers expect. This website compares how the Corps of Discovery equipped itself to meet the challenges of travel two hundred years ago and how today's well prepared traveler faces the same challenges.
Portage Avenue: Dreams of Castles in the Sky: This documentary chronicles the history of the intersection of Portage and Main — the centre of Winnipeg’s financial district, the pulse of the city — and the determined businessmen who built the earliest buildings along the street.
Prairie Crosses, Prairie Voices: Iron Crosses of the Great Plains: Iron crosses stand as sentinels on the prairie landscape, framed by huge expanses of grass and sky. Though they stand silent, behind each one is a story. Emmy nominated Prairie Crosses, Prairie Voices evokes these stories - Memories of the Germans from Russia, a fugal and tenacious people whose blacksmiths used wagon-wheel rims and scrap metal to fashion markers for the graves of the dead. Follow the traditional iron art form that crossed continents and oceans and survived famine and war - to be reborn on the Great Plains.
Red River Divide: Red River Divide investigates the history of the Red River Valley’s geology and landscape to get a better view of the future of the region. The show’s producer, Hope Deutscher, has focused on the hydrology of the valley, the tools available for flood forecasting and the preparations underway for drought relief. It also explores the positive side of our communities’ river development — a greenway, the recreation the river provides and the fishing that’s known worldwide.
Rivers, Roads, Rail & Air: Hop on board the Northern Pacific Railroad, take a ride on an ox cart, or cruise down the Missouri River for a whirlwind tour of North Dakota's transportation history. Produced by Prairie Public Television and the North Dakota Department of Transportation, this program shows how transportation has changed throughout history and how history has been tied to those changes. View the online teacher guide which accompanies this program.
Schmeckfest Food Traditions of the Germans From Russia: In German-Russian life, "food was love" and prairie mothers who left no records of their lives are remembered in the recipes and rituals of food preparation. The descendants of German-Russian immigrants keep their traditions alive through a celebration of their traditional foods: kuchen and knoephla, breads and dumplings, and pickles of all kinds.
Scandinavian Traditions: This production takes a nostalgic look at childhood memories, at family traditions and at organized community efforts to preserve Scandinavian heritage. This Prairie Public Television documentary reminds us that family heritage is something to celebrate!
A Soulful Sound, Music of the Germans From Russia: Throughout their travels, this enduring ethnic group maintained their traditional religious music, their lullabies and folk songs, their vocal and instrumental music.
Winnipeg in Bloom: With little more than 100 frost-free days, and from clay-laden soils, the passionate gardeners of Winnipeg grow outstanding gardens. Shot in high definition television, this Prairie Public Television and George Siamandas production presents Winnipg gardens at their best.

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