UND JOURNALISTS LAUNCH THE INDIGENOUS NEWS NETWORK, BRINGING REPORTING TO UNDERREPRESENTED PEOPLE IN THE U.S. AND CANADA
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ow often do you see Native Americans in the news today? Likely, not very often. The Indigenous News Network (INN) is creating a platform to give Native Americans the chance for an equal opportunity in the news industry. INN, a University of North Dakota student journalism project, launched in April during the annual Wacipi (pow wow) celebration and related Time Out Week observances at UND. The site features digital journalism produced by Native American college students from across the country. Their journalism focus is on issues important to Native Americans. The students work with Communications Associate Professor Mark Trahant, who is also the Charles R. Johnson Endowed Professor of Journalism at UND. Trahant has had more than three decades of experience covering Native Americans. “The hope for this program is to build it to be sustainable,” said Trahant. Because the network is in its beginning stages, there are only two student producers/editors: Amber Bouret Guthmiller and Lisa Casarez. Guthmiller is a recent UND graduate in history and American Indian studies, and Casarez is a senior in communications. She is an enrolled member of the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation in North Dakota. “We won’t be doing this alone,” Casarez said. “The plan for INN is to use the clinical model for journalism and provide the architecture for a new media production. The model for that product is new media. Think podcasts and
Photo: Jackie Lorentz
Native Voice
Mark Trahant is the Charles R. Johnson Endowed Professor of Journalism in UND’s Communication Program. He has extensive experience in print and digital media, and has also worked with American Indian newspapers.
iPhone videos as examples. News and features produced by students, edited by faculty and posted with the idea of building experience, portfolio examples and real readers.” “The goal is to recruit, train and prepare the next generation of native journalists,” said Guthmiller. “Technology is advancing rapidly, and the more types of media we are able to use, the bigger impact we can have.” INN is looking for more people to contribute. In order to increase involvement and to expand the contributor pool, Trahant and crew are contacting other universities and informing them of this opportunity so that they will pass it on to their students. The INN relies heavily on social media such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Vine and word-ofmouth to spread the news about their presence. The INN staff meets weekly to discuss stories they would like to cover and to review submissions from Native American students throughout the United States and Canada. On average, they spend about 20 hours a week working on INN. “We want to give a voice to native people in the United States and Canada,” said Guthmiller. “The Indigenous News Network allows natives to express themselves and their ideas while also informing the public about many Native American issues.” AR If you are interested in this organization and would like to take part or contribute stories, please email indigenousnewsnetwork@gmail.com or contact the INN through their Facebook page, Indigenous News Network. — Amanda Menzies University & Public Affairs student writer
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