5 Native American Journalists to Start Following This November
Photo by Murat Karahan on Unsplash
On October 31, the White House published a proclamation on National Native American Heritage Month, which runs through the month of November. The proclamation shared the importance of honoring the culture and history of the Indigenous community and heritage. In the same light, the White House noted the unfortunate reality that America has not always delivered on its promise of equality for Native Americans.
Indigenous communities throughout the United States continue to face inequalities and a lack of representation. Just a few days ago, an ABC reporter referred to Indigenous people as “Indigenous creatures.” This shows the uphill battle that continues for the Indigenous community and their representation in media is extremely important as a result.
In celebration of Native American Heritage Month, we wanted to spotlight five Native American journalists that are taking the initiative to share the important stories and subject matters that affect the Indigenous community.
1. Patty Talahongva
Patty Talahongva is a history-maker. In 2002, she became the first Native American anchor of a national news program in the United States when she was hired on at Village America. During her 30-year career, Patty, a member of the Hopi Tribe, has worked in various forms of media, including television, radio, newspapers, magazines, and web publishing. Patty currently contributes to Indian Country Today.
- Verticals: Native arts, education, health,crime, and politics
- Recent story: Giving new life to feathers
- Twitter: @WiteSpider
Hey #IndianCountry this is where you can watch election coverage tonight of Native candidates! Go to our website and join us! I’m covering the re-election campaign of James Ramos in California. 🇺🇸✔️🇺🇸✔️🇺🇸 #ElectionDay https://t.co/eNhijKANdN
— Patty Talahongva (@WiteSpider) November 8, 2022
2. Frank Vaisvilas
Award-winning journalist Frank Vaisvilas is a Native American Affairs reporter who has written feature stories for the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, and the Daily Southtown. Vaisvilas, who traces his roots to the Yaqui, the Indigenous people of Mexico, hopes to give a voice to the voiceless and provide Native American and Indigenous people the opportunity to share their stories and opinions regarding issues important to their community. Vaisvilas currently covers Native American Affairs for the Green Bay Press-Gazette.
- Verticals: Native American Affairs
- Recent story: Native vote could help sway election in Wisconsin again
- Twitter: @vaisvilas_frank
Oneida artist's sculpture depicting Native culture made to last 'forever' in Wisconsin park. @vaisvilas_frank talks with the artist: https://t.co/4dEbsxoyxR via @Gbpressgazette
— Jeff Bollier (@JeffBollier) November 8, 2022
3. Tristan Ahtone
Formerly of the Texas Observer, award-winning investigative journalist Tristan Ahtone is currently the Editor at Large at Grist. Ahtone, a member of the Kiowa Tribe, has built a reputation for delivering meaningful, high-impact investigative coverage. Prior to his time at the Texas Observer, Ahtone served as editor of the award-winning Indigenous Affairs vertical at High Country News.
- Verticals: Indigenous Affairs
- Recent story: In Nevada, a monument to violence built on stolen land
- Twitter: @Tahtone
To reach net-zero carbon goals with their current plans, countries around the world will need 1.2 billion hectares of land, an area larger than the US, for carbon removal projects. More than half of that land would need to be transformed into new forests. https://t.co/HWj5FW3ZaR
— Tristan Ahtone (@Tahtone) November 3, 2022
4. Mark Trahant
Mark Trahant has worn many hats and claimed many titles, but one of the most impactful was that of a professor. Trahant, a member of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, has taught at the University of North Dakota, the University of Alaska Anchorage, the University of Idaho, and the University of Colorado.
Trahant is a former editor of Indian Country Today, where under his leadership, ICT launched the first national daily newscast available through PBS network stations. He is currently the editor-at-large at ICT.
- Verticals: Indigenous Economics
- Recent story: Leonard Peltier, longest serving U.S. political prisoner, should be free
- Twitter: @TrahantReports
The American Indian Press Association had some really interesting scoops. It reported the promise of candidate Shirley Chisholm to appoint a Native American as Secretary of the Interior. She pushed this idea at the 1972 Democratic National Convention. https://t.co/XoCNWEzNNd v
— Mark Trahant (@TrahantReports) November 6, 2022
5. Katie Oyan
Like the other exceptional journalists mentioned on this list, Katie Oyan is a trailblazer. She previously served as the first managing editor of Indian Country Today as part of a partnership with the Associated Press, where she has been for more than 15 years. Oyan, Oglala Lakota, was recently named as the Deputy News Director for Local News Success with the AP.
- Verticals: Environment, immigration, missing and murdered Indigenous women
- Recent story: Indigenous news outlets, nonprofits drive deeper coverage
- Twitter: @katieoyan
Today AP's Marcia Dunn interviewed the first Native American woman in space, Nicole Aunapu Mann, who is currently at the International Space Station. The questions all came from AP members and tribal media outlets — and they were terrific. Check it out:https://t.co/wrvCCCqwF2
— katie oyan (@katieoyan) October 19, 2022
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Darnell Wilson Jr. is a Promotional Communication/Account Management professional with a love of story telling!
