Indigenous Journalists Association

12/23/2025

Grow your newsroom’s impact—and revenue. 🚀
The Revenue Accelerator (Cohort 4) with Solutions Journalism Network + Blue Engine Collaborative is a 9-month program to strengthen major gifts and institutional grants in direct support of solutions journalism.
✨ March–Dec 2026
📍 In-person kickoff March 5–6 in San Francisco
👥 Cross-functional teams (editorial + revenue)
⏱ ~5 hrs/week
💰 $10,000 opportunity + travel covered
🗓 Apply by Jan. 6 | Finalist info session Jan. 15
Apply here: https://www.tfaforms.com/5204377
Questions? Reach out to Melissa or Linda at Solutions Journalism Network.

12/19/2025

📣 IJA announces Portland as the host city for the 2026 Indigenous Media Conference!

Join us July 22–24 at the Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront as we gather on the traditional lands of the Multnomah, Wasco, Kathlamet, Clackamas, Chinook, Tualatin, Kalapuya, Molalla, and present-day Grande Ronde, Siletz, and Cowlitz peoples.

The call for program proposals is now open through Feb. 20, 2026.

From an opening night reception at The Redd on Salmon Street to the Indigenous Media Awards on July 24, we’re excited to bring this year’s conference to life in Portland. ✨

➡️ Submit a session proposal (https://tinyurl.com/IMC26RFP)
➡️ Reserve your hotel room
➡️ Explore sponsorship + expo opportunities
➡️ Sign up to volunteer

We can’t wait to see our Indigenous media community come together in 2026!

12/19/2025

The Changing Narratives Fund (CNF) is a distinct stream under the Local Journalism Initiative (LJI) that seeks to cultivate a media landscape that authentically reflects the diversity of ’s peoples, experiences, and cultures.

The CNF-LJI stream will provide funding to eligible Canadian media organizations to hire Indigenous Peoples, Black, racialized, ethno-religious minorities, persons with disabilities, and members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities as journalists to produce civic journalism for underserved communities.

These organizations will offer mentoring, training, and professional development activities to increase their participation in the media sector at all career stages. Go to: https://crfc-fcrc.ca/en/changing-narratives/

12/19/2025

We joined journalism organizations nationwide to urge regulators to protect local voices, newsroom diversity, and editorial independence as media-ownership rules are reconsidered.
https://bit.ly/4j0XQNP

12/17/2025

Today, the Indigenous Journalist Association joined with leading journalism organizations to publish a joint statement urging regulators to protect local voices, newsroom diversity, and editorial independence as federal media-ownership rules are reconsidered.

Local newsrooms are shrinking, layoffs are accelerating, and proposed policy changes could further concentrate control over what communities see and hear. Together, we are calling on policymakers and industry leaders to reaffirm the principles that have long defined American broadcasting: localism, diversity, and a free, independent press.

Read the joint statement: https://bit.ly/4j0XQNP

12/12/2025

How has the media covered the Land Back movement? Hear about it from Trevor Green, a member of the Cowichan Nation. Trevor is working on his PhD at York University, and his research explores the relationship between legacy media and Indigenous communities. Trevor has served as a judge for the National Newspaper Awards and now sits on the board of J-Schools Canada. His radio work has been featured on CBC Radio. Trevor teaches journalism at Toronto Metropolitan University and Carleton University.
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This session is part of our training series, which is open to journalists and everyone looking to learn more about the industry. Register for the workshop through the link in our bio, and see you on Dec. 19 at 1PM CT/2PM ET!

12/12/2025

✨ Announcing the 2025–2026 IJA Board of Directors! ✨

The Indigenous Journalists Association (IJA) held board elections from August 1-14, with members electing leaders to guide the organization into its next chapter.

Executive Committee
President — Sunnie R. Clahchischiligi (Diné)
Vice President — Angel Ellis (Muscogee Nation)
Treasurer — Joseph Lee (Aquinnah Wampanoag)
Secretary — Roselynn Yazzie (Shoshone-Bannock / Diné)

Board Members
Angel Moore (Peguis First Nation) — re-elected
Eden Fineday (Sweetgrass First Nation) — elected
Bryan Pollard (Cherokee Nation) — elected
Melissa Greene-Blye (Miami Tribe of Oklahoma)- Appointed

Congratulations to all newly elected and continuing board members! 🎉

12/10/2025

Register for this training that you won't want to miss!
REGISTRATION LINK: https://tinyurl.com/mry9uzkf

What is the media’s role in advancing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s
(TRC) calls to action? Learn about this at our workshop with Kaila Johnston, the director of
education at the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
(). Kaila oversees
matters related to the support of educators, development of resources, establishment of
outreach initiatives, and public engagement on residential schools and their legacy. Prior to
joining the NCTR, she worked with the TRC to support statement gathering activities. Kaila
holds a BA (Hons) in criminal justice and a MSc in international crimes and criminology.
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Journalists and all those interested in the industry are welcome to join this
training session on Dec. 12 at 1PM CT/2PM ET.
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Register for the workshop through the link in our bio.

12/09/2025

We’re excited to announce that Indigenous Journalists Association President Sunnie Clahchischiligi (Diné) has appointed Melissa Greene-Blye (Miami Tribe of Oklahoma) to the IJA Board of Directors. Melissa brings over 20 years of newsroom experience and a strong dedication to mentoring the next generation of Indigenous journalists. We also extend our heartfelt thanks to Jourdan Bennett-Begaye (Diné) for her service to the board.

Read the full press release here: https://tinyurl.com/mr2wcnsa

12/08/2025

What is the media’s role in advancing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s
(TRC) calls to action? Learn about this at our workshop with Kaila Johnston, the director of
education at the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
(). Kaila oversees
matters related to the support of educators, development of resources, establishment of
outreach initiatives, and public engagement on residential schools and their legacy. Prior to
joining the NCTR, she worked with the TRC to support statement gathering activities. Kaila
holds a BA (Hons) in criminal justice and a MSc in international crimes and criminology.
•
Journalists and all those interested in the industry are welcome to join this
training session on Dec. 12 at 1PM CT/2PM ET.
•
Register for the workshop through the link in our bio.

12/06/2025

🚨 Application Deadline Extended: Jan. 30, 2026!

The Indigenous Journalists Association (IJA), in partnership with Investigative Reporters & Editors an the Oklahoma Media Center (OMC), is excited to announce the Indigenous Student Investigative Journalism Workshop!

This day-and-a-half workshop, taking place Feb. 12–13, 2026 in Oklahoma City, offers Indigenous students hands-on training in investigative techniques, data analysis, and storytelling. Participants will connect with working journalists and mentors, gaining real-world experience to strengthen their journalism skills.

A limited number of fellowships are available to support student participation, thanks to generous support from the MacArthur Foundation. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis — apply by Jan. 30

Who can apply:

- Indigenous students enrolled at any U.S. higher education institution
- Students of all backgrounds at TCUs, AANAPISIs, ANNHs, and NASNTIs

Learn more and apply here: https://tinyurl.com/yvaxah2t
For questions, contact IJA’s Director of Membership, Sheena Roetman-Wynn, at [email protected]

12/03/2025

A Call to Support Future Storytellers | Membership is Community ✨

"It is self-evident that there is a need to be able to present factual, accurate and equitable stories; Indigenous journalists are capable of and committed to being that perpetual beacon. The Indigenous Journalists Association continues to evolve to meet the ancestral duty call to serve past, present and future generations of all walks. I humbly ask for your continued heartfelt support." — Ronnie L. Washines (Yakama), Editor at Yakama Nation Review, IJA Board Chair Emeritus & Lifetime Member

This Giving Tuesday, we invite you to help sustain the work that uplifts Indigenous storytellers, strengthens media equity, and supports journalists who carry forward this ancestral responsibility.

🎯 Our goal: $2,500 by December 31
👕 Donate $100+ and receive a limited-edition IJA t-shirt!

Ways to give:
• Make a one-time or recurring donation online https://naja.wildapricot.org
• Or mail a check/money order payable to:
Native American Journalists Association DBA Indigenous Journalists Association
NAJA-OU Ga***rd College
395 W Lindsey St, Norman, OK 73019
EIN: 52-6105010

Ahéhee' • Mvto • Wopila Tanka • Miigwech
Thank you for supporting Indigenous storytellers. ✨