The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians of California donated $6 million to KVCR-TV, a public broadcasting station, to start the first Indian television channel in the United States.

The channel will air programs on history, culture and and current issues in Indian Country. It will broadcast 24 hours a day.

“Supporting this endeavor will help achieve that objective by allowing us to tell the story of Native Americans through themes and images that speak the truth and educate our audiences,” Chairman James Ramos said in a press release.

KVCR hopes to take the channel to national and satellite networks in 2013. Other PBS stations might also pick up programming.

In Canada, the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network offers Native programming.

Get the Story:
San Bernardino's KVCR will launch nation's first 24-hour American Indian television channel (The Riverside Press-Enterprise 6/17)
San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, KVCR to launch new TV channel (The Contra Costa Times 6/16)