On Topic with Jim Johnsen explores Alaska Natives in culture and film
This week鈥檚 On Topic episode's guest is Princess Daazhraii Johnson, creative producer for the new PBS KIDS show MOLLY OF DENALI. This episode explores her role in making the animated children鈥檚 program a reality and discusses the representation of Alaska Native peoples and cultures in film.
鈥淲hen WGBH first reached out about the project MOLLY OF DENALI, I was so excited,鈥 said Johnson. 鈥淚 immediately thought of myself as a little girl and what a show like this would have meant to me.鈥
Johnson is Neets鈥檃ii Gwich鈥檌n and her family is from Arctic Village, Alaska. Princess received a B.A. in International Relations from The George Washington University and a Masters in Education at the University of Alaska Anchorage with a focus on Environmental and Science Education.
MOLLY OF DENALI is the first nationally distributed children鈥檚 series to feature a Native American
lead character, Molly Mabray, a feisty and resourceful 10-year-old Gwich鈥檌n/Koyukon/Dena鈥檌na
Athabascan girl. The episodes weave together literacy skills with Alaska Native values,
such as respecting others, sharing what you have and honoring your elders, while showcasing
contemporary aspects of rural life. WGBH Boston developed MOLLY OF DENALI with a group of Alaska Native advisors, including Elders, who advise on many aspects
of the show, including culture and languages. The 绿奴天花板 College Savings Plan is a major
sponsor of the new series and its educational mission.
鈥淥n Topic鈥 is a 10-part broadcast and podcast series featuring conversations with experts and authors on important issues that face Alaska. The series is produced in collaboration with the University of Alaska Press and hosted by President Jim Johnsen.
Watch a segment from the episode .