On a Journey to Share Stories

Indigenous Student Receives Radio Journalism Award

Radio and TV Production student Valene Peratrovich (pictured, left) took first place at the Utah’s Society of Professional Journalist Headliners Awards for best public affairs talk show (2021-22) with Lara Jones, executive producer of KRCL's RadioACTive (pictured, right).

The award-winning talk show was a Thanksgiving special that Peratrovich hosted, and largely produced, that included local indigenous leaders and community members who “explored the truths” about the holiday.

“I’m honored by this award, but I just got lucky with the incredible panel involved who were so honest and truthful. They were the magic. At the end, all five of us were ‘whoa.’ It just felt like magic,” says Peratrovich, who is Tlingit - Eagle Clan, Unungan + Athabascan, from the Anchorage, Alaska area.

“Val didn’t hesitate when I asked her if she wanted to do the Thanksgiving show,” recalls Jones, who read an article Peratrovich wrote about Native American mascots published in the Salt Lake Tribune. “She has great instincts, draws people into the conversations and her background brings a richness to what she does.” Peratrovich is now hosting KRCL’s Living the Circle of Life show, which focuses on Indigenous music and topics.

Peratrovich first came to SLCC from Oregon to learn how to be a storyteller. She describes this move as one of her “faith steps” that has helped her discover a passion for telling stories. She admits there have been challenges along the way, including a thyroid cancer diagnosis, but her desire to share stories and the ongoing, gentle encouragement of her professors have kept her moving forward.

This past summer, Peratrovich graduated with an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in radio and TV production and now she plans to pursue an AAS in film production at SLCC. “It’s another one of those faith steps,” says Peratrovich.

The panelists who participated in the Thanksgiving special radio show included:

• Nathan Cole is a professor of English and faculty advisor of the American Indian Student Leadership Club at SLCC. He also teaches a Native American Literature & Experience class.

• Orville Cayaditto is the director of Native American student success at SLCC and staff advisor to the American Indian Student Leadership Club at SLCC.

• James Courage Singer is a professor of Native American Ethnic Studies at SLCC and a local activist.

• Cynthia Sharma is a student and former president of SLCC’s Pre-Medical Professions Club.