The Mississippi River, a vital artery of the United States, serves as a backdrop for the diverse lives and traditions of the people who call its banks home. From the Choctaw tribe, who maintain their cultural heritage through coming-of-age rituals at sacred mounds, to the Delta Hill Riders, a group of African American cowboys preserving their unique history, the river connects communities with deep roots in the land. Meanwhile, environmental researchers work to combat the erosion of the Mississippi Delta, and musicians in Memphis continue to shape the city's legendary music scene, all while the river remains a powerful, ever-changing force that shapes the soul of America.