Independent news from the Indigenous Media Freedom Alliance

Contributors speak up on Buffalo’s Fire fundraiser, ending midnight Dec. 7

An exhibit including a display of the tribal flags from the Cheyenne River, Crow Creek, Oglala, Rosebud, Sisseton Wahpeton, Standing Rock and Yankton Sioux Tribes. (Rapid City Journal File photo)

Dear Buffalo’s Fire Readers:

We are down to the final wire with the ‘Buffalo’s Fire’ campaign, which ends Dec. 7. I want to share this link http://www.fastcoexist.com/1678906/10-ways-for-female-entrepreneurs-to-get-funded?partner=homepage_newsletter about how female entrepreneurs can get funded. The author notes that “new companies started by women will be one of the keys to a truly sustainable new economy. But first we have to overcome one of the biggest challenges within the ecosystem for women entrepreneurs: getting enough of the right amount of funding at an early enough stage to start and keep a company moving forward.”

I know the Buffalo’s Fire website — devoted to land, language, politics, sports and entertainment in Indian Country — will be a successful website dedicated to Indian Country issues. I ask you to help the Buffalo’s Fire team step forward in a positive way to begin this new venture. Help us if you believe in and support a better world for Native people, a world in which we are informed community citizens. I have some good neww: The programmers working on this site have informed me that an integral part of the programming for the new Buffalo’s Fire is 70 percent complete. The Buffalo’s Fire programming team will begin integrating the old site with the “smashing” new template this week. Walt Pourier, the graphic artist who designed the original logo for Buffalo’s Fire has been busy revamping a new logo for our new website.

At this point, I ask you to consider being part of something new and exciting for Native people.

Take a moment and check out our video on IndieGoGo and also share it with your friends. All the tools are there. Get perks, make a contribution, or simply follow updates. If enough of us get behind it, we can make ‘Buffalo’s Fire’ happen.
http://www.indiegogo.com/Buffalos-Fire?i=emal If you go to the indiegogo site, you can read what nearly 50 other funders have said so far about why they believe in what we’re doing.

Here are some comments that you can read on the indiegogo site:

“Native Action Network was founded by Native women to highlight the amazing Native women in Indian Country that are building strong, healthy Native communities through our annual Native Women’s Leadership Forum. We are working to nurture the next generation of leaders through our Young Native Women’s Leadership Academy. Jodi, you stepped up and taught at our first Academy. Thank you for your leadership and your commitment to Native news and media – best to you! www.enduringspirit.org.”

Michael Hammerburg: “I am making this contribution because, Jodi Rave, is the real deal. I encourage others to do the same.”

Jackie Old Coyote: “Few journalists possess the insight that Jodi demonstrates when it comes news and the underlying issues behind the stories. Buffalo’s Fire is a necessary tool for understanding the ‘why’ of the ‘what’,”

Denise Juneau, Montana superintendent of public instruction: “Great going Jodi and team! Best of luck.”

Cory Spotted Bear: “Hahaheeeey hahey!”

D’Shane Barnett: “So happy to support this cause. Will try to give even more before the deadline!”

Terry Beckwith: “This is site is really needed in Indian Country. Keep the landowners informed.”

Ellen Poss: “An excellent news source!”

Claire Litton: “You guys are doing great work, so glad to contribute to native voices on the web. The more voices, the more likely we’ll be heard!”

Twila Baker-Demary: “I just read your updates, and I can’t believe Allan and I missed you at AISES?! lol – Well Jodi, I’ve always been wowed by your work, and I love to support Native people, especially women from the TAT, making their mark. NSC has your back too! 🙂 Keep going! You’re doing great!”

Hadasshah Cohen: “Finally! It is about time that this grows!”

Alyce Spotted Bear: “Jodi, You are an amazing Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara, Lakota, Winnebago Woman! I look forward to what you are doing. May the Creator continue to watch over you and inspire you.”

Thomas Gunderson: “Your mother would be proud and very impressed with your presentation. You have a great radio voice, great speaking skills.”

Jean LaRance: “Thank you Jodi, it’s people like you that make me feel proud to be a Native woman.”

Chaney Bell: “We are all doing our best to make the world a better place, thanks Jodi and Buffalo’s Fire for all you do!”

Pauline Matt: “I look forward to the growth of Buffalo’s Fire and all it has to offer our native people.”

I sincerely thank everyone for all their kind words and support. More comments to come. Reminder. This campaign ends Dec. 7 – in about 50 hours, depending when you read this email. Thank you!

–Jodi Rave

Jodi Rave Spotted Bear

Jodi Rave Spotted Bear is the founder and director of the Indigenous Media Freedom Alliance, a 501-C-3 nonprofit organization with offices in Bismarck, N.D. and the Fort Berthold Reservation. Jodi spent 15 years reporting for the mainstream press. She's been awarded prestigious Nieman and John S. Knight journalism fellowships at Harvard and Stanford, respectively. She also an MIT Knight Science Journalism Project fellow. Her writing is featured in "The Authentic Voice: The Best Reporting on Race and Ethnicity," published by Columbia University Press. Jodi currently serves as a Society of Professional Journalists at-large board member, an SPJ Foundation board member, and she chairs the SPJ Freedom of Information Committee. Jodi has won top journalism awards from mainstream and Native press organizations. She earned her journalism degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder.

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