Drum wins 12 Indigenous Journalist Association awards in 2024


Indigenous Media Conference slated for Oklahoma City
The Indigenous Journalists Association (IJA) awarded The Southern Ute Drum a total of 12 media awards in its annual Indigenous Media Awards competition, which includes a newsroom win for third place for Best Digital Publication. The remaining 11 awards were won by individual staff members for excellence in photography, reporting and newspaper design in the Associate Division, Professional Division and Other Combined Divisions. Winners were announced in a press release from IJA, Friday, June 21.
The annual competition recognizes excellence in reporting by Indigenous and non-Indigenous journalists from across the globe. This year, IJA received more than 800 entries across multiple categories and newsrooms.
The Southern Ute Drum competes in Professional and Associate Division I for newspapers with a print circulation under 5,000. Digital excellence reflects our newspaper’s website and social media presence. The Drum’s affiliation with IJA (Formerly NAJA) goes back to the early 1990’s.
The Indigenous Journalists Association’s mission is centered on the idea that accurate and contextual reporting about Indigenous people and communities is necessary to overcome biases and stereotypes portrayed in popular and mainstream media. Expanding access to accurate news and information is essential to an informed citizenry and healthy democracy, across tribal, local, state and national levels. For more than 40 years, Indigenous journalists across the United States and Canada have worked to support and sustain IJA. Originally formed as the Native American Press Association in 1983, the organization has grown from just a handful of reporters to a membership of nearly 900, which includes Indigenous journalists, associates, educators and partners.
IJA serves media professionals working in tribal, freelance, independent and mainstream news outlets, as well as academia and students covering Indigenous communities and representing tribal nations across Turtle Island.
The Indigenous Journalists Association (IJA) will present more than 200 awards recognizing outstanding coverage of Indigenous communities during the Indigenous Media Awards Banquet on Saturday, July 27 as part of the 2024 Indigenous Media Conference at the Omni Hotel in Oklahoma City.
Print / Online – Best Photo of Indigenous Communities
First Place
Jeremy Wade Shockley
Southern Ute Bear Dance welcomes spring
Second Place
Jeremy Wade Shockley
Celebrating the 101st Southern Ute Tribal Fair: Rodeo
Print / Online – Best News Photo
First Place
Divine Windy Boy
Seneka Locklear Smoke Dance Showcase
Second Place
Divine Windy Boy
One way sky
Print / Online – Best Feature Story
Honorable Mention
Divine Windy Boy
Native Lens Media Fellowship turns focus to tribe
Print / Online – Best News Story
Second Place
Robert L. Ortiz
Native Love host annual walk to bring awareness to MMIR
Print / Online – Best Feature Photo
Second Place
Divine Windy Boy
Jr. Women’s Jingle Dress dancer Zariah J. Whiteplume
Honorable Mention
Divine Windy Boy
The 134th UMU Bear Dance welcomes all!
Print / Online – AARP Elder Coverage Award
Second Place
Divine Windy Boy
Vida B. Peabody: Eldest living Southern Ute recognized
Print / Online – Best Health Coverage
Honorable Mention
Divine Windy Boy
Mental health first aid training made possible through 988 lifeline grant
Print / Online – Best Layout
Second Place
Robert L. Ortiz
Print / Online – Best Digital Publication
Third Place
Jeremy Wade Shockley, Divine Windy Boy, Robert L. Ortiz, Krista Richards, Rosaleigh Concepcion