Independent news from the Indigenous Media Freedom Alliance
November 22, 2024
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Winnebago woman named deputy assistant secretary for civil rights

Jodi Rave Spotted Bear
by
jodi@imfreedomalliance.org https://twitter.com/JodiRave
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JT Shining Oneside shared stories about her Ojibwe and Anishinaabe inheritance during the Native American Heritage Month Celebration on Nov. 15. She spoke about the coming-of-age and traditional birth ceremonies. (Photo credit/ Adrianna Adame)

In a press release today the United States Department of Agriculture announced the appointment of Mary McNeil to the office of civil rights as deputy assistant secretary. The Winnebago woman will have responsibility for the leadership, coordination, and direction for USDA’s civil rights programs.

Here’s part of the release:

“As we embark on a new era in civil rights at USDA, Mary McNeil brings
vast experience to USDA in both civil rights and American Indian
programs at the Department,” said Tom Vilsack. “Her leadership will enhance
President Obama’s and my goal of USDA being a model employer and premier
service provider to all.”

Jodi Rave

Posted in Community Press ReleasesTagged
Jodi Rave Spotted Bear
jodi@imfreedomalliance.org https://twitter.com/JodiRave

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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