NAJA announces three new National Native Media Award categories for 2023

Tim Giago Free Press award will honor NAJA member upholding transparency within their Indigenous community

NORMAN, Okla. — The Native American Journalists Association has launched three new categories for the 2023 National Native Media Awards, including: Best International Indigenous Coverage, Best Two-Spirit Coverage and a new special award, the Tim Giago Free Press Award.

Best International Indigenous Coverage and Best Two-Spirit Coverage, are available in the Professional Divisions for Indigenous entrants in print/online, radio/podcast and TV. 

The Tim Giago Free Press Award was added to existing special categories, along with the NAJA Elias Boudinot Free Press Award, NAJA-Medill Milestone Achievement Award and Richard LaCourse Award for Investigative Journalism. 

Best International Indigenous Coverage 
Best International Indigenous coverage is open to reporting on Indigenous communities outside the United States and Canada. Entries may be a single story or series. 

Best Two-Spirit Coverage
Best Two-Spirit coverage is open to coverage of Two-Spirit / Indigenous LGBTQ+ issues and people. Entries may be a single story or series. 

Tim Giago Free Press Award

As one of the founders of the Native American Press Association in 1983, Tim Giago has shaped the mission of what is now the Native American Journalists Association, which unites and empowers Indigenous media and champions accurate journalism, despite the unique challenges that come with reporting on our own tribal communities. The Tim Giago Free Press Award recognizes an individual NAJA member that has shown dedication and commitment to upholding freedom of the press, information and transparency within their Indigenous community. Nominees must be current NAJA members, however, there is no fee to nominate a member or enter this category

The award comes with a $2,500 cash prize for the selected recipient, who will be honored during the 2023 National Native Media Awards Banquet.

The banquet will be held as part of the 2023 National Native Media Conference set Aug. 10-12 downtown at the Delta Hotel and RBC Convention Center Winnipeg. The awards recognize excellence in reporting by Indigenous and non-Indigenous journalists across the U.S., and Canada. 

The extended deadline for award submissions is April 12. View contest information here.


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