By: Jodi Rave, Buffalo’s Fire Publisher
The other day, I posted a story on my Facebook page about a draft legislative bill that would allow North Dakota tribes to levy state sales taxes on reservations such as Fort Berthold. The story was written by a reporter from the Associated Press.
A fellow Native journalist replied: “Don’t just post it, write about it for us.”
Yes, that could be done. I also wish I had a staff reporter who could cover it, too. In the long run, that’s my goal in building the Indigenous Media Freedom Alliance, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
I worked for the mainstream press for nearly 15 years with 11 of those years dedicated to reporting on American Indian news for Lee Enterprises. I never had a shortage of stories to write. Sometimes, it seemed futile as only one journalist who reported on local, regional and national stories for one news chain.
Since I left the daily newspaper routine, I haven’t written much. I could write all I wanted, but I would still be only one person. I know there is a better way to cover Indian Country. That said, I’ve been creating a media business model that will serve Native America through strengthening independent Native media organizations.
Yes, I post stories from the Associated Press. It would be even better to have a team of reporters to cover local and regional news. My goal, through the Indigenous Media Freedom Alliance, or IMFA, is to support independent media operations to offer news free of tribal council interference.
A properly funded IMFA can engage in depth reporting, media literacy and the creation of a broadcast network to raise the visibility of American Indian issues. Ultimately, our work can help revitalize indigenous languages and culture. Right now, we are building the foundation for a Native-led, autonomous media network.
I’ve been interviewing fellow Native journalists as part of an ethnic media research paper for a national media foundation. Independent media – where the platform is not owned or controlled by a tribe – needs grassroots support. The editors, publishers and journalists I’ve talked to hold a deep commitment to reporting the news in their communities. They also typically operate on a shoestring budget making it difficult to hire full time staff or, much less, hire a legislative reporter.
This is the reality, media resources for independent media outlets are stretched thin in Indian Country. We can do our part to build an independent media network for accurate and timely news. All of us who live in Indian Country — in urban and rural communities — have a story to tell.
I founded the Indigenous Media Freedom Alliance to raise the visibility of news and events that effect American Indians. I could write alone, reporting stories as they come across my desk. But, I w0uld rather work with a team of reporters, videographers and photographers.
This means there must be opportunities to advance community storytelling by providing training and mentoring in digital print, explanatory reporting, radio news, podcasting, and broadcast programming. The IMFA needs reporters, videographers and photojournalists. The IMFA currently publishes on Buffalo’s Fire.
With the support of donors, we can change the existing dynamic – a lack of information in our Native communities. As the founder of the IMFA, I am working with foundations to accomplish our goals. Today, I am reaching out to individual donors. The IMFA is participating in a great fundraising program that ends Dec. 31. For every dollar that is donated to our organization, it will be doubled up to $26,000. A single donor can contribute up to $1,000. Again, this campaign is a dollar for dollar match. You can read more and donate at NewsMatch.
The IMFA aims to be a trusted, professional news source that will help our Native communities grow and prosper. Strong economies and democratic governments are shaped by citizen’s rights to be engaged, heard, seen and informed. Thank you for your support.
Jodi Rave Spotted Bear, is the executive director of the Indigenous Media Freedom Alliance. She is Mandan, Hidatsa and Lakota. An award-winning journalist, she lives on the Fort Berthold Reservation in North Dakota. She earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Colorado-Boulder.
