We Shall Remain

"We Shall Remain" is a landmark 2009 American television miniseries and documentary that traverses 300 years of Native American history, reframing pivotal historical events from an indigenous perspective. Created as part of the acclaimed PBS American Experience series, it spans five distinct episodes, each focusing on a critical juncture of resistance, survival, and cultural preservation. From the Wampanoag resistance during King Philip's War and the tragic forced removal of the Cherokee along the Trail of Tears, to the fierce defense of the homelands by Tecumseh, the survival strategies during the allotment era, and the radical activism of the American Indian Movement at Wounded Knee, the series challenges mainstream historical narratives. Through a powerful combination of dramatic reenactments, historical documents, and insights from historians and Native American scholars and descendants, the series highlights the profound agency, resilience, and adaptability of indigenous leaders. Characters like Metacomet, Tecumseh, John Ross, and modern activists are portrayed not merely as victims of manifest destiny, but as strategic architects of their own destinies who fought relentlessly to protect their people, sovereignty, and lands against overwhelming odds.