herokee Nation Newspaper Wins Awards at Journalism Convention Cherokee Nation News Release (918) 456-0671, Ext. 2210 FAX (918) 458-5580 Cherokee Nation Director of [email protected] © Cherokee Nation - All Rights Reserved July 20, 2001 Cherokee Nation Newspaper Wins Awards at Journalism Convention TAHLEQUAH-- The staff of the Cherokee Phoenix & Indian Advocate returned to Tahlequah with a total of five awards, including a first place for general excellence, from the Native American Journalists Association’s 17th annual convention in Buffalo, N.Y. The Cherokee Nation received the Elias Boudinot Award in honor of the tribe passing the Cherokee Independent Press Act of 2000. The award is given to a tribal nation or government “for furthering the cause of freedom of the press in Indian country.” In July 2000, the Cherokee Nation tribal council voted to adopt the legislation that calls for the coverage of all aspects of the tribal government and the news of the Cherokee Nation free from political control and influence by any branch of the tribal government. The award was named in honor of Boudinot, a Cherokee and editor of the first Native American and first bilingual newspaper in the Western Hemisphere. Boudinot’s Cherokee Phoenix was first published on February 21, 1828, in New Echota, Ga. In accepting the award on behalf of the Cherokee Nation, Cherokee Phoenix Editor Dan Agent said the Cherokee Independent Press Act followed the Cherokee constitutional crisis that occurred from 1997 to 1999. “Hopefully, other tribal nations can establish free press legislation without enduring constitutional crises.” Agent credited Principal Chief Chad Smith as the author of the original draft of the legislation. He also acknowledged the counsel of the late Richard La Course, a founding member of the American Indian Press Association in the 1970s and associate editor of the Yakima (Wash.) Nation Review, in developing the legislation. “NAJA strongly encourages tribes to pass constitutional resolutions allowing for a free press in their communities,” NAJA President Mary Annette Pember said. “A free and strong press means civic involvement from tribal members in government affairs.” In addition, the Cherokee Phoenix received the First Place Award for General Excellence for publications one to six times a year. The Cherokee Phoenix is published quarterly and mailed to 96,000 Cherokee households. Advertising manager Larry Daugherty won First Place for Best Illustration for his design of the Fall 2000 cover “The New Face of Diabetes in America.” Graphic artist Brian Yazzie received an Honorable Mention for Best Illustration for his design of the Winter 2001 cover “Cherokee FIRST.” Staff writer Will Chavez received an Honorable Mention Award for Sports Writing for the story about Cherokee runner Andy Payne titled “World’s Greatest Distance Runner” in the Fall 2000, Vol. XXIV, No. 4 issue. “The awards are symbolic of what can be achieved through ga-du-gi, the Cherokee concept of people working together toward a common goal, whether a publication or a tribal government,” Agent said. In addition to the staff who received individual awards, Agent also praised staff writer Travis Snell, budget analyst Loretta Keener, secretary Sandra Whitecrow and apprentice writer Julie Hubbard for their work on the award-winning publication. Each staff member is a tribal member of the Cherokee Nation. Native American journalists from the United States and Canada meet each year during the NAJA convention to discuss issues related to journalism in Indian Country, to participate in workshops and to share their knowledge and experience with Native American students who wish to become journalists. Two newspaper projects, as well as radio and television projects, are held each year at the conference for Native American high school and college students who want careers in journalism. Professional development courses in the various media are also held for two days during the conference to hone the journalism skills of NAJA members. © 2013 Cherokee Nation All Rights Reserved.
Posted on: Mon, 24 Jun 2013 20:31:37 +0000