Trudeau elected to first term as president; Bennett-Begaye elected as vice president
The Indigenous Journalists Association (IJA) board of directors elected its first executive committee for 2023-2024 during a meeting on Aug. 17.
Christine Trudeau, Jourdan Bennett-Begaye, Angel Ellis and Savannah Maher were elected to positions on the executive committee.
- Christine Trudeau (Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation), president
- Jourdan Bennett-Begaye (Diné), vice president
- Angel Ellis (Muscogee Nation), treasurer
- Savannah Maher (Mashpee Wampanoag), secretary
Members voted to change the organization’s name and elected the 2023-2024 Board of Directors during the 2023 National Native Media Conference held last week in Winnipeg, Canada. By a vote of 89–55, or nearly 62 percent, the membership voted to change the name to the Indigenous Journalists Association (IJA), unveiling the new name and logo during the NAJA Membership Luncheon.
Sunnie Clahchischiligi (Diné) and Joseph Lee (Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head) were newly elected to serve on the board of directors. Jourdan Bennett-Begaye (Diné) is a returning board member.
Angel Moore (Peguis First Nation), Shondiin Silversmith (Diné) and Jodi Rave Spotted Bear (Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation / Lakota) will remain seated for the duration of their terms.