
Notes from Indian Country
Indian Country Today turns 40 this year
Native American Journalists Association turns 37
Tuesday, March 2, 2021
Thirty seven years ago a group of Indian journalists met at the summer camp of the Choctaw Nation in Oklahoma to talk about a new newspaper organization they were about to form. First they elected a board with Loren Tapahe of the Navajo Times as Vice President, Mary Polanco of the Jicarilla Chieftain as Secretary, Anita Austin of the Native American Rights Fund Magazine as Treasurer and Tim Giago, Publisher of the Lakota Times as President.
After the board was formed the next order of business was seeking a name for the new organization. Several names were kicked around and then one of the journalists suggested Indigenous Newspaper Association. Adrian Louis, managing editor of the Lakota Times, popped up with, “The day they start calling fry bread “Inidgenous Fry Bread” is the day I will accept indigenous for our organization.”
Now it seems the Native American Journalists Association has gone full circle and will soon be changing its name to Indigenous Journalists Association. Louis is probably rolling over in his grave.
That meeting on the Choctaw Nation was a memorable one. The aforementioned Adrian Louis has since passed away and one of the really great and funny Native journalists attending that meeting was Minnie Two Shoes, and she also has passed away. Penn State Professor of Journalism, Bill Dulaney, who helped me raise the money to get the organization started has also passed away. Randy Howell, another of my managing editors at Indian Country Today has also made his journey to the Spirit World. I recall our first morning at the camp when Dulaney and Tapahe rose early, put on their jogging shoes and clothes, and went on a long run through the woods of the camp. The rest of us just rolled over in our bunk beds, and went back to sleep. That was 37 years ago. We chose the name Native American Press Association for our new name because all of our early members worked for newspapers. Other forms of media had not reached the Indian reservations or Indian Country back then. My newspaper, The Lakota Times, was only 3 years old and growing.#NAJA Member Survey open through 4/1! Native American Journalists Association members will consider name change + enter weekly drawing for $100 @Amazon gift card. Survey open to all @najournalists members – https://t.co/ksn6db6a4K pic.twitter.com/VZ91G29XgI
— Native American Journalists Association (@najournalists) March 1, 2021

Tim Giago (Oglala Lakota) is the founder of the Native American Journalists Association and of Indian Country Today. Contact him at najournalist1@gmail.com.
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