People of the West @ Santa Ana College | Community Screening & Conversation
In honor of Native American Heritage Month, Santa Ana College, in collaboration with Pechanga Studios and Picture Motion, will host a special screening of People of the West, Episode 8: Red Power on Thursday, November 19, 2026, with doors opening at 6:00 p.m. at Phillips Hall Theatre.
People of the West is a ten-part documentary series that tells the history of California Indian peoples through Indigenous voices. The screening invites students, families, and community members to come together for an evening of storytelling, reflection, and conversation.
Following the screening, guests are invited to stay for a panel conversation and an open audience Q&A, a chance to reflect on the film and continue the dialogue together.
This event is free and open to the public, but you must RSVP to hold your seat!
6:00pm Doors Open
Opening Reception @ Phillips Halls Patio
7:00pm Welcome Remarks
7:15pm Screening Begins (Episode 8)
8:25pm Panel Conversation
ABOUT SANTA ANA COLLEGE
Santa Ana College (SAC), founded in 1915, serves more than 70,000 students yearly for credit and noncredit classes. At present, SAC students can work toward completing an associate degree, university transfer, career/workforce training or a bachelor’s degree in occupational studies. In 2025, the college will offer a second bachelor’s degree in Paralegal Studies. As part of Santa Ana College, the School of Continuing Education located at Centennial Education Center offers free classes throughout the community for adults of all ages and academic backgrounds. Santa Ana College is an award-winning college and was recently ranked as one of the nation’s top two-year colleges awarding associate degrees to Latino and Asian students and named one of the best community colleges in California by Intelligent.com for a 2nd consecutive year. The college is also recognized throughout the state for its comprehensive workforce training programs for nurses, firefighters, law enforcement and medical personnel.
SERIES SYNOPSIS
People of the West is a landmark 10-part docuseries created by Pechanga Studios in collaboration with Boardwalk Pictures that tells the history of California through Indigenous perspectives. Spanning from creation stories and first (European) contact to the Spanish mission system, Gold Rush, and present-day issues of land, water, and sovereignty, the series reclaims Indigenous narratives long excluded from mainstream history. Anchored in truth, healing, and education, People of the West reframes California’s past as a living continuum, inviting audiences to confront systemic erasure and recognize the resilience, leadership, and cultural brilliance of California’s first peoples.