Friday, June 19, 2026

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

For many Native people, the version of California history taught in school does not tell the whole story.

For Brad Munoa, a citizen of the Pechanga Band of Indians, the inspiration for “People of the West”, a new ten-part docuseries came after learning about a California history presentation at his son’s school.

Munoa says Native American history received only a brief mention, while much of the focus was placed on a version of California history that overlooked Native voices and experiences.

That moment sparked an idea.

“So I wanted to make a series that would reach the youth in a compelling, cinematic way. Dramatic recreations, beautiful animations when we couldn’t depict something in real life. One of the biggest archival libraries of stills and videos of California history that I think exists on the planet. We put that all together in 10 1-hour episodes. I’m telling you, it’s amazing.”

Munoa says the series, which took over two years to create, also touches on his family’s own experiences.

One scene was inspired by the love story of his grandparents.

He says his grandfather was afraid to tell his future wife that he was Native because of the prejudice Native people faced at the time.

Years later, watching actors bring that story to life on screen left him in tears.

“I just started crying and sobbing. I explained that story was from my family history specifically. It was an honor to have them portray it.”

Munoa says the series is not just about the past.

He hopes Native youth see themselves reflected in stories that have often been overlooked and that viewers leave with a deeper understanding of California’s first peoples.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by People of The West (@peopleofthewestseries)

While the project has generated interest, Munoa says it has not yet been picked up by a streaming service.

He says that is intentional.

“We made the whole thing on spec without preselling it to a studio ahead of time. When you do that, yes, you get funding, but you also get oversight. And the studios get to determine final cut and get to suggest taking things out, adding stuff in. We wanted to tell the story without those handcuffs. So we made the whole thing on spec without preselling it. Now that we have it, we’re trying to find distribution.

“I just want everybody who watches the series to come away with a new profound understanding of history from a native perspective. I’m almost 100% sure that if they just watch with an open mind, it will inform all of their decision making going forward in a good way, so that we can build a better future for our kids.”

Completing the project came with sacrifices. Munoa says work often took him away from his family.

Now that the series is finished, he says he’s looking forward to making up for lost time and being more present with the people who supported him throughout the journey.

“My wife has shouldered a lot of the responsibilities at home in her effort to support me, but she’s been neglected, my kids have been neglected. They call me the dad from Hook as a joke. You know before he goes to Neverland in Hook, he’s consumed with work and on his phone, he’s missing baseball games and stuff. So I want to balance that all back and be there with my kids and wife, and tend to my land on the reservation.”

The ten-part series makes its world premiere June 20 at Hollywood’s famed Chinese Theatre as part of the Dances With Films festival.

Munoa says he hopes audiences leave the theater with a deeper understanding of California’s Native peoples and the stories that helped shape the state.

Get National Native News delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up for our daily newsletter today.

Download our NV1 Android or iOs App for breaking news alerts.

Check out today’s Native America Calling episode