NAJA announces 2020 National Native Media Award winners

NORMAN, Okla. -- The Native American Journalists Association will present more than 250 awards recognizing the best coverage of Indian Country during the 2020 National Native Media Awards virtual ceremony set for 3 p.m. CST on Thursday, Oct. 15 via Zoom. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, NAJA has postponed the 2020 National Native Media Conference until Sept. 15-19, 2021 in Phoenix.

All award winners will be recognized during the virtual ceremony and participants may register in advance here. Registered attendees will receive a confirmation email with instructions about how to join.

The annual competition recognizes excellence in reporting by Indigenous and non-Indigenous journalists from across the U.S. and Canada. NAJA received more than 550 entries across the following categories:

• Student Division

• Associate Division I - (Circulation below 5,000)

• Associate Division II - (Circulation 5,000 - 10,000)

• Associate Division III - (Circulation above 10,000)

• Professional Division I - (Circulation below 5,000)

• Professional Division II - (Circulation 5,000 - 10,000)

• Professional Division III - (Circulation above 10,000)

2020 NAJA-Medill Milestone Achievement Award

Lori Edmo (Shoshone-Bannock) is the recipient of the 2020 NAJA-Medill Milestone Achievement Award. The award honors an individual who has made a lasting impact on media to the benefit of Indigenous communities and is given jointly by the Native American Journalists Association and the Medill School of Journalism, Media, and Integrated Marketing Communications at Northwestern University to celebrate responsible storytelling and journalism in Indian Country.

2020 NAJA Richard LaCourse Award for Investigative Journalism

APTN Investigates is the recipient of the 2020 NAJA Richard LaCourse Award for Investigative Journalism, which recognizes groundbreaking work by journalists that creatively use digital tools in the role of community watchdog. The award includes a $500 cash prize for the individual or team selected.

2020 NAJA Elias Boudinot Free Press Award

Mvskoke Media is recipient of the 2020 NAJA Elias Boudinot Free Press Award. Named for the first editor of the Cherokee Phoenix, the Elias Boudinot Free Press Award recognizes a publication or media outlet that has shown dedication and commitment to upholding freedom of the press, information and transparency in Indian Country.

NAJA thanks all of the 2020 judges, their outlets and organizations for the donation of time and expertise spent on making this year's awards possible:

• Alice Silbanuz, Ka Wai Ola News / Office of Hawaiian Affairs

• Beth Parke, Society of Environmental Journalists

• Brian Bull, KLCC

• Dalton Walker, Au-Authm Action News

• Debra Krol, Freelance

• Dr. Victoria LaPoe, Ohio University

• Dr. Rebecca Blatt, Arizona State University

• Dr. Rebecca Tallent, The University of Idaho

• Jeff Gammage, The Philadelphia Inquirer

• Jennifer Bell, Hownikan

• Jon Glass, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University

• Judith Siers-Poisson, Wisconsin Public Radio

• Lenzy Krehbiel-Burton, NAJA and the SPJ Oklahoma Professional Chapter

• Monica Braine, Native America Calling

• Rosemary Stephens, Cheyenne Arapaho Tribal Tribune

• Savannah Maher, Wyoming Public Radio

• Sterling Cosper, NAJA / OKSPJ

• Sonny Albarado, Society of Professional Journalists

• Tara Gatewood, Native America Calling

• Terri Hansen, Yes! Magazine

• Tripp Crouse, KNBA 90.3 FM