Get ready to see the world of national parks from a new perspective! And it’s a perspective that happens to be super adorable. Netflix’s new animated series, Spirit Rangers stars three Native kids as they become junior park rangers. The first trailer for the show introduces us to Kodi, Summer, and Eddy and their Spirit Forms. The trio of youths express nothing but joy about becoming park rangers. As we can see, they might be learning the ropes of being park rangers, but they’re already excelling. I can’t wait to see all of their adventures as they protect the critters in the park. Plus, it seems like they look out for the park itself!
This historic series is the first kids’ show in US television history created by a Native American woman. Karissa Valencia is the showrunner and executive produces Spirit Rangers along with Chris Nee (Doc McStuffins). Spirit Rangers has an all Native writers’ room as well.
The series’ synopsis is as follows:
Inspired by stories from Native American tribes and the majestic landscapes of national parks of America, Spirit Rangers explores the adventure and beauty of nature through the eyes of Kodi, Summer and Eddy Skycedar, Chumash/Cowlitz siblings who share a secret. This trio of kids are “Spirit Rangers” who help protect the land and spirits of the national park that they call home in California. Taking on new perspectives as a grizzly bear cub, red-tailed hawk and spunky turtle, the Skycedar kids take on every challenge — from helping a lost thunderbird to waking a sleepy sun — with courage and compassion. Created by Santa Ynez Chumash tribal descendant and the first California Native American showrunner Karissa Valencia, the fantasy-adventure preschool series celebrates community, nature and the rich heritage of Native American storytelling.
Playing the three kids in Spirit Rangers, we have Wačíŋyeya Iwáš’aka Yracheta as Kodi Skycedar; Isis Celilo Rogers as Summer Skycedar; and Talon Proc Alford as Eddy Skycedar. The cast also includes Kimberly Guerrero as Mom; John Timothy as Dad; Cree Summer as Lizard and DeeDee; and Shaun Taylor-Corbett as Coyote; Wes Studi as Sunny; Tantoo Cardinal as Moon; Devery Jacobs as Wind Eagle; and Nyla Rose as Lawetlat’la.
Spirit Rangers premieres on Neflix on October 10, Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
Amy Ratcliffe is the Editor-in-Chief for Nerdist and the author of Star Wars: Women of the Galaxy, The Art of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, The Jedi Mind, and more. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram.