An episode of the animated PBS Kids show “Molly of Denali” won an Emmy award for Writing for a Preschool Animated Series at the third annual Children’s and Family Emmy Awards on March 18.
It is the first Emmy for the series, which won a Peabody Award in 2020 and has been nominated for multiple Emmys since it began airing in 2019.
Rochelle Adams, a Gwich’in from the villages of Beaver and Fort Yukon, has helped create the world of Molly as an Alaska Native Cultural Advisor and writer for the show. Adams was in attendance for the reception of the award.
“It is history in the making, because this is the first Indigenous Emmy,” she said, adding, “I hope that when children of all ages see the show, they’ll feel represented. This Emmy reflects the beauty of Indigenous people, our amazing cultures and our ways of life. We honor our homelands and waters, especially our connection to Denali, The Great One.”
Adams said it has been an honor to work with talented creators that truly care about celebrating the diversity of Indigenous culture and the inclusion of it in mainstream television. “Growing up I didn’t have shows like Molly of Denali to see myself represented in a real and accurate way,” she said. “Now that we are in an industry where we are able to tell our own stories and educate people about who we are, it’s amazing!”
The episode “Not a Mascot” that premiered March 27, 2024, won the best writing award among five other nominees. Adams says she is looking forward to where the show and its creators can go from here. “I encourage all young Indigenous children to know that they can dream big and create things that have not been created yet, to always be proud of who they are and to be encouraged to speak their languages, live their traditional ways of life and honor their ancestors in ways that are special to them.”
Adams thanks the many hands and hearts that work on the show from the Interior.
“Mahsì’ choo to all of the Alaska Native Cultural Advisors who created the world of Molly of Denali and make sure that our stories are told in a good way that aligns with our traditions and ways of life,” she says.
Those include Luke Titus (Tanana), Adeline Peter-Raboff (Gwich’in), Dewey Hoffman (Koyukon), Princess Johnson (Gwich’in), Wilson Justin (Ahtna) and Lorraine David (Koyukon). The Creative Producer Yatibaey Evans (Ahtna); the many voice actors such as Adeline Potts (Han Gwich’in) as the voice of Auntie Midge; and the story writers, language advisors, voice actors, artists, musicians and experts that make the show a success. She also thanks PBS Kids, WGBH and Atomic Cartoons.
Tanana Chiefs Conference is proud of the work of contributors like Rochelle Adams, and of the inspiration she provides for our future generations.