| Category | Details |
| Episode Number | 0814 |
| Season | Season 7 (1975–1976) |
| Air Date | December 25, 1975 (Christmas Day) |
| Special Guest | Buffy Sainte-Marie |
| Destination | Taos Pueblo, New Mexico |
| Key Muppets | Big Bird, Sinister Sam, Marshal Grover, Roosevelt Franklin |
| Human Cast | Maria, Buffy, Gordon |
| Educational Theme | Native American Diversity and Customs |
| Instrument Featured | Mouth Bow |
| Letter of the Day | T |
| Number of the Day | 9 |
| Sponsors | T, M, 9 |
Parent's Guide
The animations show a typewriter and a T-box. The segments emphasise the shape of the letter 'T', helping children to recognise it in different contexts. They learn to connect the shape to words such as 'telephone' and 'top'. This helps to develop alphabetical awareness.
Big Bird tells Buffy that he is disappointed. He had expected to see feathers at the Taos Pueblo. Buffy explains that Native Americans wear regular clothes. They only wear feathers for special occasions. Big Bird wonders if he can take his feathers off, too. This story promotes cultural literacy. People from different cultures are not just characters in costumes. The Pueblo are modern people with deep traditions. It is important to replace stereotypes with respectful understanding.
Maria is anxious about making mistakes at the Pueblo. She is not Native American. Buffy explains that there are over 300 different tribes. Each tribe has its own unique languages and customs. Buffy is also an outsider because her tribe is different. This demonstrates the complexity of identity. 'Native American' refers to many distinct nations. Be a respectful guest in new communities. Choose curiosity over assumption.
Franklin Roosevelt tells a story about two dogs. They find a bone in a doghouse. They realise that the bone belongs to a larger dog. The story teaches us to leave things alone if they do not belong to us. It focuses on property and boundaries. Always ask for permission before touching objects.
Pat the Pilot uses a plane to draw the letter T in the sky. This helps to reinforce shape recognition. The large visual aid helps you to memorise the structure of the letter.
Maria and Big Bird observe children at the Pueblo. These children collect water from the river. They use firewood for heating in the winter. They listen to Buffy playing a mouth bow. This demonstrates resourcefulness. There are many ways to live besides faucets and electric heaters. Humans adapt to their surroundings in different ways. Appreciate traditional knowledge and your connection to the environment.