Members of the Native American Journalists Association will consider name change and international expansion in 2022 survey
For nearly 40 years, Indigenous journalists living in the United States and Canada have worked to support and sustain the Native American Journalists Association. Originally formed as the Native American Press Association to be more inclusive of broadcast journalists in 1983, the organization has grown from just a handful of reporters to a membership of nearly 1,000, which includes Indigenous journalists, funders, educators and partners.
In this spirit of growth, NAJA leadership is looking to the next 40 years and asking the membership to complete our 2022 member survey to consider an update to the name of the organization from the Native American Journalists Association to the Indigenous Journalists Association.
The consideration of a name change to “Indigenous Journalists Association” recognizes the need to develop relationships, contacts, and cooperation across international borders and reflects a desire to align terminology with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Completing the survey does not constitute a “vote” in favor or against the change. Any proposal to modify the organization’s governing documents, including a name change, would be considered by eligible voting members as part of the formal elections process.
This survey will help NAJA better understand members’ views, in order to guide the process, should the majority of members be supportive of the change.
All respondents that complete the survey will be entered in a drawing to win a weekly $50 Amazon digital gift card each Friday Oct. 20 – Dec. 2.