What does it mean to be American? American Creed PBS Project

What does it mean to be American? Since 2018, the American Creed multiformat PBS project has traveled the country to tell place-based stories of Americans who come from different backgrounds and have different life experiences but share a passion for improving their communities. Their stories come together to explore questions of citizenship, community and civic ideals.

PBS LearningMedia is rolling out a new collection of American Creed films that open a door into the lives of young people from communities across the nation. Their stories provide powerful inspiration for a new photo essay project in partnership with Citizen Film (producers of American Creed), the National Writing Project and KQED’s Youth Media Challenge. American Creed “viewfinder” photo essays invite young people to use images and words to tell the story of an issue they care about in their community. Photo essays are an engaging entry point for media makers of all ages and across subject areas.

Visit PBS Learning Media galleries to preview new American Creed PBS shorts and photo essays which include a deep dive into a complete photo essay curriculum from the National Writing Project.

Meet Young Leaders | American Creed
Discover what sparks people to get involved in their communities and build the skills democracy requires. A young Chicagoan rallies her community to fight pollution. A young fisherman protects his Native Alaskan community’s right to subsist. Two young Army lieutenants defend values that inspire soldiers to work together across differences. A NASCAR driver races to clear a path for everyone with a disability to be able to pursue their dreams.

Sam Schimmel’s “Salmon Tales” | American Creed
Sam Schimmel grew up on Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula, fishing in ways essential to the spiritual and physical health of his Indigenous Kenaitze community. Climate change is disrupting that subsistence way of life, and Schimmel is emerging as a leader in efforts to fight environmental degradation and renew Indigenous economies in line with Native values. What does Schimmel show us about the practices of his Indigenous tribe? How does he explain the challenges it faces? Consider how he advocates for his community and how this story could spark action in others.

Stay tuned; More coming soon.