Indigenous Media Conference slated for Albuquerque, N.M.  

The Indigenous Journalists Association (IJA) awarded The Southern Ute Drum a total of six media awards in its annual Indigenous Media Awards competition. The awards were won by individual staff members for excellence in photography and reporting in the Associate Division, Professional Division and Other Combined Divisions. Winners were announced in a press release from IJA, Thursday, June 12.   

The annual competition recognizes excellence in reporting by Indigenous and non-Indigenous journalists from across the globe. This year IJA received 870 entries, a record number. This recognition honors individual newsrooms and publications for excellence in coverage of Indigenous Peoples and communities. “The IMAs are the first and only awards contest dedicated to honoring the work of Indigenous and non-Indigenous journalists covering our stories,” said IJA Membership & Operations Manager, Justine Medina (Navajo, Ho-Chunk, Menominee). 

The Southern Ute Drum competes in Professional and Associate Division I for newspapers with a print circulation under 5,000. 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 awards recognizing outstanding coverage of Indigenous communities during the Indigenous Media Awards Banquet on Friday, Aug.15 as part of the 2025 Indigenous Media Conference at the Isleta Resort & Casino in Albuquerque, N.M. 

Please see the IJA website (https://indigenousjournalists.org/2025-indigenous-media-award-winners/) to view all winners.  

Best Feature Photo   

First Place 

Divine Windy Boy 

“Honoring Veterans powwow style” 

Best News Photo  

First Place 

Robert L. Ortiz 

“MMIR Prayer Walk continues with support” 

Second Place 

Krista Richards, Conrad Thompson, Divine Windy Boy, Jeremy Wade Shockley 

“A change of perspective: End of an era for Southern Ute Boarding School” 

Third Place 

Divine Windy Boy 

“Site visit to Phoenix printing press” 

Best Elder Coverage/AARP Elder Coverage Award  

Third Place 

Divine Windy Boy 

“Honoring Veterans powwow style” 

Best Photo of Indigenous Communities  

Third Place 

Jeremy Wade Shockley 

“Celebrating the 102nd Southern Ute Tribal Fair: Rodeo”