News

High Country News wins 23 National Native media awards

Network of Native American journalists recognizes HCN’s Indigenous affairs desk.

High Country News News Sept. 30, 2020
Print Subscribe Donate Now
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 30, 2020

Jolen Yazzie won third place for Best News Photo for her photo taken for the article, “A canoe journey to Alcatraz on Indigenous Peoples’ Day”
Jolene Yazzie/High Country News
High Country News’ writers and photographers received 10 first-place awards, four second-place awards, nine third-place awards and two honorable mentions for its coverage of tribal affairs for the Native American Journalists Association 2020 National Native Media Awards on September 28, 2020.

The Native American Journalists Association works to serve and empower Native journalists through programs and actions designed to enrich journalism and promote Native cultures. Each year, NAJA recognizes members’ coverage of Indian Country at the National Native Media Awards.

“These awards mean so much to me because they’re given by our Indigenous colleagues,” said Graham Lee Brewer, associate editor on the Indigenous affairs desk and an award winner himself. “Each one is an indication that we are writing for Indigenous communities and not just about them.”

High Country News earned awards in both the professional and associate categories for publications with a circulation of 10,000 readers or more.

“Our Indigenous Affairs desk works tirelessly to tell stories from Indian Country and to center Indigenous voices,” said Greg Hanscom, publisher and executive director at the publication. “It’s wonderful to see their work recognized.” 

The following stories and photos received awards.

Associate Divisions I & II Combined Categories – Print / Online

Print / Online – Best Environmental Coverage


Second Place

Anna V. Smith

The Klamath River now has the legal rights of a person 

Third Place

Anna V. Smith
 

How do tribal nations treaties figure into climate change? 

Associate Division III – Radio / Podcast

Radio / Podcast – Best Coverage of Native America


Third Place

Anna V. Smith
 

Associate Division III – Online

Online – Best News Story


Third Place

Nick Pachelli
Why was a study on trafficking in Indian Country canceled?

Online – Best Feature Story

First Place
Jessica Lussenhop
The woman in search of Indian Country’s missing

Associate Division III – Print

Print – Best Feature Story

First Place
Anna V. Smith
How an Arrow Lakes elk hunt became a case of tribal recognition

Associate Division III – Print / Online

Print / Online – Best News Story


Second Place

Susie Neilson

Feds give Navajo uranium contract to firm with sketchy past

Third Place

Laurence Du Sault

The Karuk Tribe fights a growing wildfire threat and a lack of funding 

Honorable Mention

Elena Saavedra Buckley


How Indigenous reporters are elevating true crime

Professional Division III – Print

Print – Best Feature Story

First Place
Deb Krol
An Indigenous way of life for these California tribes breaks state laws

Professional Division III – Online

Online – Best News Story

First Place
Allison Herrera
When disaster strikes, Indigenous communities receive unequal recovery aid 

Second Place
Tripp Crouse
Young Indigenous activists lead climate justice action in Alaska

Professional Division III – Print / Online

Print / Online – Best Sports Story

First Place
Graham Lee Brewer
Stickball: Indigenous women show who’s got game

Print / Online – Best Editorial

First Place
Tristan Ahtone
Conservation provides a cover for anti-Indigenous sentiments

Third Place
Dina Gilio-Whitaker
How to Indigenize the Green New Deal and environmental justice

Honorable Mention
Rosalyn LaPier
The legacy of colonialism on public lands created the Mauna Kea conflict

Print / Online – Best Environmental Coverage

First Place
Debra Krol
Collaboration between High Country News and Roads and Kingdoms
An Indigenous way of life for these California tribes breaks state laws

Print / Online – Best News Photo


Third Place

Jolene Yazzie
A canoe journey to Alcatraz on Indigenous Peoples Day

Print / Online – Best Feature Story

First Place
Nick Estes
The U.S. stole generations of Indigenous children to open the West

Second Place

Allison Herrera

Indigenous educators fight for an accurate history of California

Third Place
Graham Lee Brewer
This Cherokee congressman is for Trump and Indian Country 

Print / Online – Best Multimedia


Third Place

Jason Asenap

Meet the Nizhóní Girls: the making of a desert surf rock band 

Print / Online – Best News Story

First Place
Kalen Goodluck
Far-right extremists appropriate Indigenous struggles for violent ends 

Third Place
Kalen Goodluck
Native American athletes and fans face ongoing racism 

Professional Division I, II & III – Print/Online

Print/Online – Best Column

First Place
Jason Asenap
Asenap’s Film Reviews

For 50 years, High Country News has reported the stories of the Western U.S. that are often overlooked by larger media outlets. The nonprofit news organization has won numerous awards over the years, including the Utne Media Award, the George Polk Award, the Science in Society Award, the Society of Environmental Journalists Award, and many others. 

For more information about High Country News, contact Associate Editor Graham Lee Brewer at [email protected] or Publisher and Executive Director Greg Hanscom at [email protected].

###

Republish Print
High Country News Classifieds
  • INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS EDITOR - HIGH COUNTRY NEWS
     High Country News is hiring an Indigenous Affairs Editor to help guide the magazine's journalism and produce stories that are important to Indigenous communities and...
  • STAFF ATTORNEY
     Staff Attorney The role of the Staff Attorney is to bring litigation on behalf of Western Watersheds Project, and at times our allies, in the...
  • ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT FOR DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
     Northern Michigan University seeks an outstanding leader to serve as its next Assistant Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion. With new NMU President Dr. Brock...
  • EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
     The Clark Fork Coalition seeks an exceptional leader to serve as its Executive Director. This position provides strategic vision and operational management while leading a...
  • GOOD NEIGHBOR AGREEMENT MANAGER
     Help uphold a groundbreaking legal agreement between a powerful mining corporation and the local communities impacted by the platinum and palladium mine in their backyard....
  • EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
     The Feather River Land Trust (FRLT) is seeking a strategic and dynamic leader to advance our mission to "conserve the lands and waters of the...
  • COLORADO DIRECTOR
     COLORADO DIRECTOR Western Watersheds Project seeks a Colorado Director to continue and expand WWP's campaign to protect and restore public lands and wildlife in Colorado,...
  • DIGITAL MEDIA SPECIALIST, THE NATURE CONSERVANCY: WYOMING, MONTANA AND UTAH
     Digital Media Specialist - WY, MT, UT OFFICE LOCATION Remote and hybrid options available. Preferred locations are MT, WY or UT, but applicants from anywhere...
  • GRANT WRITER (PART-TIME, FREELANCE CONTRACT) HIGH COUNTRY NEWS
     High Country News seeks an energetic, articulate and highly organized grant writer to support a growing foundations program. This position works closely with our Executive...
  • EXPERT COMPUTER & TECH HELP, PROVIDED REMOTELY
     From California, I provide expert tech help remotely to rural and urban clients. I charge only when I succeed. Available 7 days. Call for a...
  • ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF HISTORY - INDIGENOUS HISTORIES OF THE NORTH AMERICAN WEST
     Whitman College seeks applicants for a tenure-track position in Indigenous Histories of the North American West, beginning August 2024, at the rank of Assistant Professor....
  • DAVE AND ME
     Dave and Me, by international racontuer and children's books author Rusty Austin, is a funny, profane and intense collection of short stories, essays, and poems...
  • CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
     Rural Community Assistance Corporation is looking to hire a CFO. For more more information visit: https://www.rcac.org/careers/
  • EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
     The Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness Foundation (ABWF) seeks a new Executive Director. Founded in 2008, the ABWF is a respected nonprofit whose mission is to support...
  • CANYONLANDS FIELD INSTITUTE
     Field seminars for adults in natural and human history of the northern Colorado Plateau, with lodge and base camp options. Small groups, guest experts.
  • COMING TO TUCSON?
     Popular vacation house, everything furnished. Two bedroom, one bath, large enclosed yards. Dog-friendly. Contact Lee at [email protected] or 520-791-9246.
  • ENVIRONMENTAL AND CONSTRUCTION GEOPHYSICS
     We characterize contaminated sites, identify buried drums, tanks, debris and also locate groundwater.
  • LUNATEC HYDRATION SPRAY BOTTLE
     A must for campers and outdoor enthusiasts. Cools, cleans and hydrates with mist, stream and shower patterns. Hundreds of uses.
  • LUNATEC ODOR-FREE DISHCLOTHS
     are a must try. They stay odor-free, dry fast, are durable and don't require machine washing. Try today.
  • WESTERN NATIVE SEED
     Native plant seeds for the Western US. Trees, shrubs, grasses, wildflowers and regional mixes. Call or email for free price list. 719-942-3935. [email protected] or visit...