6 JULY 15, 2002
Smoke Signals
JULY 15, 2002
Smoke Signals 7
Native American Journalists Association 2
Annual Conference in San Diego
Indian media gather to honor the best in the business.
With eight awards from the Native American
Journalists Association, including two first place
finishes for best feature writing and best fea
ture photography, the Smoke Signals Tribal
newspaper has proven itself to be one of the best
Native publications in print today.
The Smoke Signals took home more journal
ism awards than any other Tribal newspaper in
Oregon. Each first place award means that the
Smoke Signals beat out several other Native
publications both in the United States and
Canada for the top spot.
The annual NAJA conference was held in San
Diego, California this year. The conferences are
a good chance for Native journalists from all
across the U.S. and Canada to meet, network
and make connections. On the final evening of
the conference, an awards ceremony was held
to recognize the best in Native journalism.
Smoke Signals Journalist Peta Tinda won first
place for "best feature writing" at a Native publi
cation for his story on Navajo golfer Notah Begay.
He also was awarded an honorable mention for
"feature photography, multiple pictures" for his
inside look at the Gregory Lofts apartments, a
successful Tribal investment in Portland. Tinda
won a second honorable mention for "best fea
ture, single photo" for his photo of a traditional
dancer. Smoke Signals also won second place for
"best news writing," and was awarded two hon
orable mention for "best news writing."
Smoke Signals Editor Brent Merrill won first
place for "best feature photo" for his photo taken
at the Grand Ronde Pow-wow. The photo of a
man holding his child was published in the 2002
Grand Ronde Tribal calendar. Merrill also was
awarded an honorable mention for "best feature,
multiple picture," for his photo coverage of the
2001 Grand Ronde Pow-wow.
Additionally, Smoke Signals photographer Peta
Tinda beat 17 other Native photographers to take
a third place finish in the annual NAJA Photo
Shoot Out, a one-day photojournalism competi
tion. The career fair and cyber circle at this year's
NAJA convention provided members with the
opportunity to check email, surf the web and
make connections outside of the Native Ameri
can Journalistic world. Many major newspa
pers and broadcast media had booths that were
accessible to the many young students that
make the journey to the convention each year.
Internship Information at CBS was available
and NBC's San Diego station was also present
ready to embrace any qualified Native journal
ist willing to take the chance. U
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Three-peat Confederated Umatilla Journal
staffers show off their seven awards, including their
third straight General Excellence Award in the once a
month category, won at the NAJA Conference. Pic
tured are Reporter Marcus Luke II, Acting Executive
Director Debra Croswell and Editor Wil "Shoe" Phinney.
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Young Minds Are The Future Of Indian Country - students are a big part of each and
every NAJA Conference. Project Phoenix was started by members of NAJA to recruit young Native journalists into
the field and show them what journalism is really all about. The students were honored at the conference with
a dinner and awards ceremony.
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