2010 NAJA Convention Update
The 2010 NAJA convention will take place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in St. Paul, Minnesota from Wednesday, July 21st-Saturday, July 24th, 2010.
Please check back often as we update the site with more details about our next successful conference!
President's Message
Native Journalists:
I humbly accept the responsibility to keep the Native American Journalists Association on the path set in its mission statement.
We have commemorated a quarter century of existence during the latest successful convention in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Copyright 2009Native American Journalists AssociationAll Rights Reserved
NAJA News
Native American Journalists Association President Ronnie Washines made the following remarks on the passing of journalist Minnie Two Shoes:
I simply cannot see going to a NAJA conference and not being able to see Minnie Two Shoes walking down a hall and greeting you with a smile, warm hug and a quick joke.
She was one of the Native journalists who answered the call to be at Pennsylvania State University in 1984 to set the beginnings of the Native American Press Association, which later became NAJA. She was a lifetime NAJA member and had the notes, programs and photo journals to prove it. She served on the NAJA board several times and was on the current board, which she dubbed, ‘The kinder, gentler NAJA.’
She was a sincere advocate of free press, free speech and free food for everyone. She held a deep respect and love for NAJA and the mission of the organization.
She accepted the additional duties and responsibilities of being an active, contributing NAJA board member even though she was forced to deal with personal health concerns.
I will personally and professionally miss her sense of humor, her dedication to Native journalism and the respect she held for tribal culture and teachings.
The Native American Journalists Association extends our heartfelt condolences to her family, her people and her colleagues.
The journalist and Native world here has one less champion, but I am confident that she has earned a place in the kinder, gentler world she will now walk through eternity.
I pray Creator welcomes and embraces Minnie Two Shoes and comforts the hearts of her surviving family.
Minnie Two Shoes, Assiniboine Sioux from the Fort Peck Reservation in Montana, was born March 24, 1950 and walked on April 9, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Funeral services were held April 13 on the Fort Peck Reservation.
The Native American Journalists Association President Ronnie Washines (Yakama) issued this statement on hearing that Former Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Wilma Mankiller had walked on to meet her maker:
I am saddened to hear that Wilma Mankiller has walked on. As a journalist, I marveled at her knowledge, skill and ability to positively lead the Cherokee Nation. Her commitment and dedication to the needs, concerns and protections to, not only the Cherokee Nation, but to all Native Americans sets a paramount standard many should and will follow.
I pray Creator carefully embraces the wounded hearts of her family and the people of the Cherokee Nation.
- Ronnie Washines
On behalf of the Board and Membership, the Native American Journalists Association extends their deepest condolences to the friends and family of Wilma Mankiller.
January 7, 2010
NAJA saddened by death of longtime NAJA supporter Deborah Howell
For More Information Contact: Jeff Harjo, Native American Journalists Association 405-325-9008 or harjo@naja.com
Journalist helped Native students get into journalism field
The passing of former newspaper editor Deborah Howell saddens the Native American Journalists Association; she helped provide funding to aspiring Native Journalists through the Newhouse Foundation Scholarship Program. Howell assisted NAJA with more than $350,000 dollars in scholarships that were awarded to Native American journalism students throughout the country.
As a pure mentor, she took it upon herself to follow the progress of the students the Newhouse Foundation supported.
“Deborah was always very thoughtful and respectful during our scholarship funding meetings. She remembered previous recipients’ names and talked about their progress. Her first commitment was always to making sure those who were passionate about journalism were supported in college. She knew how important it was for Indian students to see journalism as a viable career choice.” said Cristina Azocar, NAJA board member and former education committee chair.
Many of the NAJA scholarship recipients have gone on to successfully work for tribal and mainstream media.
“Native American Journalists mourn the loss of a valiant advocate for newsroom diversity,” said NAJA President Ronnie Washines. “On behalf of the Native American Journalists Association, I pray Creator rewards Deborah for her unconditional commitment to NAJA’s mission to have a Native American presence at America’s news desks.”
Howell, 68, died on January 1, the victim of a car/pedestrian accident while on vacation in New Zealand.
###
Ronnie Washines, President, Native American Journalists Association responds to RNC Chairman Michael Steele’s language use regarding Native Americans during a FOX News event:
“I am thoroughly outraged that the leader of the National Republican Party would use such repulsive language on national television. Those of us in journalism have tirelessly worked to ensure that political leaders, newsrooms and the public be respectful to all cultures when speaking publically. Michael Steele’s scurrilous tongue does no service to his group and only undermines the positive work of those who sincerely seek to respect one another in all of our working relationships. I urge Michael Steele to carefully word a sincere apology to the Native American community, which could help stop such uneducated archaic racist remarks from being made in the future. We here at NAJA are available to assist him and his organization with obtaining an accurate understanding of Native America.”
The 2010 NAJA convention will take place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in St. Paul, Minnesota from Wednesday, July 21st-Saturday, July 24th, 2010.
Please check back often as we update the site with more details about our next successful conference!