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Smoke Signals
Unity '99: Journalists of Color
Media looks at Indian issues
By Tracy Dugan
Members of the Native American Journalist
Association (NAJA), the National Association of
Black Journalists, the Asian American Journalists
Association, and the National Association of His-,
panic Journalists all came together for Unity '99:
journalists of Color conference in Seattle July 8-11.
Smoke Signals staff, longtime members of NAJA,
made the trip to Seattle to attend seminars and
discussions on the most important issues facing
Native journalists today, as well as gain computer,
writing, Internet, and design skills.
With more than 7,000 attending the conference,
this was the largest gathering of journalists of color
ever known, and the second Unity conference,
which takes place only once every five years.
Native American journalists working for both
tribes and the mainstream press came from all over
the U.S. and Canada for the conference. Panelists
included authors Sherman Alexie and Vine Deloria;
CBS correspondent for "This Morning," Hattie
Kauffman; and the Reverend Jesse Jackson, Jr.
Unity '99 turned out to be a hot spot for presi
dential hopefuls campaigning for the 2000 election.
Vice President Al Gore was a keynote speaker at a
plenary session "Race, Technology, and the Fu
ture of the United States." Gore stressed the im
portance of education and strengthening of math
and computer skills among our children, who will
be the leaders of the Information Age in years to
come. He also said that by the year 2025, people
of color will make up the majority of America's
population, and that journalists and editors have
a responsibility to portray all ethnic cultures in, all
areas of media.
"Democracy will be strengthened when our
newsrooms reflect the full diversity of America's
people," he said.
When asked about his views on Native peoples,
Gore said the United States should relate to Na
tive Americans as "sovereigns to sovereigns."
Republican Ceorge W. Bush, governor of Texas,
turned down an invitation to speak at Unity. Af
ter facing criticism from the media, Bush showed
up for a few minutes to shake hands and have
photos taken with conference-goers.
Other speakers included Senator John McCain
(R-Arizona), former chairman of the Senate Com
mittee on Indian Affairs, and advocate for Native
rights, as well as democratic hopeful Bill Bradley,
' who was a panelist for a session aimed at dissect
ing affirmative action. In addition to supporting
affirmative action, Bradley said that if elected to
the White House he would support anti-hate crime
laws and make a special effort to help America's
children living in poverty.
"Over 20 percent of our children live in poverty,"
he said. "That's a clear injustice."
The panelists who spoke about Native issues
urged tribal journalists to take back important in
formation to their people about upcoming events
that could effect all tribes. Here is some of what
went on, and some things to be aware of:
CENSUS 2000
In the year 2000, the U.S. Census Department
will be conducting a count of America's popula
tion and seeking information regarding income,
education, and race from all of us. The Unity '99
conference message about Census 2000 was one of
concern for Native Americans. Many census ex
perts believe that more than any other ethnic or
minority group, Native Americans were the most
undercounted group during the 1990 Census.
In many tribes, it is a custom or tradition to help
family and friends when they are experiencing a
Jesse Jackson, Jr. (left) and Vice President Gore held
open discussions with attendees of Unity '99
Conference held in Seattle. Photos by Kim Mueller
hardship. A lot of tribal families fear being truth
ful about the number in a household might jeopar
dize governmental assistance programs they are
receiving. It is important for people to know that
none of the information on their census question
naires will be shared with neighbors, employers,
landlords, or creditors.
Panelists for the Census 2000 session said that mi
nority communities are traditionally undercounted,
which means they will be underrepresented in the
distribution of federal funds.
"The census is especially important because it
will determine everything for the next decade.
How much money is given to schools, hospitals...
everything," said C. Beatrice Lopez-Flores, vice
president of the Mexican-American Legal Defense
and Education Fund.
For Native Americans, it is important to respond,
because the federal government needs to know
accurately how many Native people there are in
the United States. Federal programs for Indians
funded through the BIA won't get the funding they
need for all Indian people if there is a greater num
ber of Indian people than what was counted.
For the year 2000, the Census Bureau
plans to "count every American
life" by notifying every home
by mail, using advertising
to persuade everyone to
participate, and go door to
door to reach homes that
do not respond to their
questionnaires.
B X
' M
MAKAH
WHALE HUNT
This past Spring, the Makah
Tribe of Washington exercised
its treaty right to hunt a gray
whale off the Washington Coast.
They made the announcement in
1998 to pursue a hunt, after latest
environmental surveys revealed that the
whale was no longer endangered. But angry ani
mal rights groups protested the hunt, and a de
bate raged on for weeks all over the nation, which
was fueled by the media attention given to the
Makah hunt. Titled "When Allies Become Adver
saries," the discussion panel at Unity '99 featured
Makah tribal leaders, who challenged the media
to look for ways to present controversial stories
objectively.
Makah Whaling Commissioner Keith Johnson
said that the Makah invited journalists from all over
the United States to attend a gathering where
Makah traditions and customs would be explained.
"There was so much we wanted to share with
people. Our people gave their time to the media,
they let cameras into their homes," he said.
Bender Johnson, Jr., Makah tribal chairman, said
that he was pleased with the overall coverage of
the hunt.
"We were asked by journalists over and over to
photograph our hunting crew before and after the
hunt," he said. "The ceremonies involved by our
hunters are very sacred to our people. It wasn't
for outsiders with cameras and questions."
When an audience member asked about the use
of high-powered weaponry used to kill the whale,
and criticism regarding such "nontraditional" meth
ods, Johnson replied, "This was a big criticism.
The idea that the Makah were not truly practicing
a traditional hunt. This was the swiftest and most
humane way we could have done it, but I usually
say to those critics, T would love to go back and
practice the traditional ways of my people. It
would be great if everything was the way it was
back then. Tell me, where would you live?'"
MYTHS IN THE MAKING
A discussion panel of tribal leaders and people
employed in the gaming industry spoke to partici
pants about how the media portrayal of tribally
owned casinos is serving foster myths about tribes.
"Most of the tribally-owned gaming operations
are small, very small," said Jacob Coins, executive
director of the National Indian Gaming Commis
sion. "There is a myth that tribes are getting rich
from gaming, and it isn't true at all."
Coins said that the fact is, most tribes that have
gaming are usually running small bingo operations
or little card rooms. Not many tribes have the full
Nevada-style casino. Most don't have any type of
gaming at all. Many non-Indian people believe
that tribes no longer need federal funding, because
they are so rich from gaming operations. It is im
portant to remember that having a goal to be self
sufficient doesn't necessarily translate into
, ', an overabundance of wealth.
SMOKE SIGNALS
WINS AWARD
During the annual NAJA ban
quet and awards dinner (this year
hosted by the Yakama Tribe),
awards were presented to tribes
5; and Native journalists for con
tributions in print, radio and
television. This year, for the
first time, Smoke Signals was
recognized by the Native
American Journalist Associa
tion for "Best Layout and
Design" for a tribal paper pub
lished two times per month. Hon
orable mentions in this category were
given to the Southern Ute Drum (Utah) and
the Seminole Tribune (Florida).
(D
From left: Kim Mueller, graphic specialist;
Tracy Dugan, editor; and Oscar Johnson, writer.
Best wishes to Oscar, zvho left the Tribe in July to
pursue a graduate degree at Columbia University.