In 1983, Tim Giago, owner and editor at the time of the Lakota Times, wanted to increase the representation of the Indigenous community in mainstream media. In August 1983, he held a meeting with his colleagues which would provide the outline for creating an association of Indigenous journalists called the Native American Press Association. The following year, the first convention was held in Warm Springs, Oregon. 

During their convention in 1990, the association formally changed its name to the Native American Journalists Association (NAJA). 

Most recently, in 2023, NAJA members voted to officially change the name again to more accurately reflect Indigenous journalists and their work. Thus, the association’s name was changed to the Indigenous Journalists Association (IJA). The vote was 89-55 in support of the name change. 

According to their website, the Indigenous Journalists Association’s mission is centered on the idea that accurate and contextual reporting about Indigenous people and communities is necessary to overcome biases and stereotypes portrayed in popular and mainstream media.

IJA annually hosts a three-day conference for members to participate in classroom workshops, networking opportunities and in-person panel discussions involving all things Indian Country. Now called the Indigenous Media Conference, this year’s event was held July 25-27 in Oklahoma City.

At the conference, the IJA presents winners in its annual awards competition for print/online/video/website publications. Indigenous and non-Indigenous journalists working for Indigenous publications were eligible to apply and submit their finest work from the 2023 calendar year. 

Current O’odham Action News reporter Chris Picciuolo and former news intern Nalani Lopez both were recognized with awards for their work. “It feels great to be recognized, especially because I’m still in school,” said Lopez in an exclusive interview with OAN. 

Lopez graduated from Scottsdale Community College in May and presently attends Arizona State University. Her article “Salt River Hiking Club Explores Joshua Tree National Park” received third place in the category “Best Feature Story for Print/Online” in the IJA Student Division.

Picciuolo has been a reporter for the newspaper for five years. His photograph titled “Museum Specialist Debbie James Teaches Kids Tortilla Camp Graduates” received third place in the “Best Photo of Indigenous Communities for Print/Online” category in the IJA Associate Division.

“I was surprised when I first heard I won,” Picciuolo said. In an interview with OAN, he explained that he remembers the tortilla camp in 2023 being one of his favorite events he’s covered for the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. “I loved the smell of the cemait/tortillas in the air that day,” he said. 

In September, both award-winning journalists received their IJA plaques in the mail, tangible recognition of their hard work and achievement. 

Congratulations to Nalani Lopez and Chris Picciuolo on their awards!