Psst: America — the nation's 500 Native American tribes want your ear.
That was clear from the "Worlds Within Worlds" panel at the recent SPJ convention in Las Vegas.
"Go on Facebook to get our message out," said Rhonda LeValdo, president of the Native American Journalists Association (NAJA). She emphasized that many Native Americans are well educated and some have master's degrees.
"We have a positive story about what is going on in our community," said panelist Bryan Pollard, editor of the Cherokee Phoenix. "It is important to develop contacts … Every state has at least one tribe."
But one listener said tribal leaders won't tell journalists their issues and needs.
"Non-native American media should understand we were put on Earth to preserve the animals and environment," said Tom Arviso Jr., managing editor of the Navajo Times. "We were put down here to do what is right."
Jeff Harjo, NAJA executive director, urged journalists to "go to the tribe's public information officer or editor of the tribal paper … Once you get their trust, you'll be amazed. Once they know they can trust you, they will open up and give you what you need."
The discussion included whether the tribal press is free or if too many government restrictions exist. One member of the audience complained that spotlighting a tribal leader can trigger resentment among his colleagues and animosity against the journalist involved.
The panel also made clear that the public needs to know many Native Americans have no access to the Internet and many lack electricity. One panelist said some Americans know so little about Native Americans, people think they still live in tepees.