NPR’s Next Generation Radio Project partners with NAJA and The Syracuse University Newhouse School of Public Communication to host third digital workshop
The Next Generation Radio Project, in partnership with the Native American Journalists Association and The Syracuse University Newhouse School of Public Communication announced the cohort for the third NAJA-NPR NextGenRadio: Indigenous.
This five-day, digital-first workshop set April 10-15 centers Indigenous stories and storytellers. The project is offered at no cost to early-career Indigenous journalists reporting in or near a tribal community, and is an immersive training opportunity to learn more about non-narrated audio storytelling, and other forms of digital journalism.
The project will be conducted remotely and in-person at the Newhouse School and is designed to enhance coverage of Indigenous affairs with Indigenous voices. Participants will find and produce their own multimedia story, and will be paired 1:1 with an experienced coach and mentor throughout the workshop.
2022 Syracuse Newhouse School NAJA-NextGenRadio: Indigenous cohort:
Nathan Abrams (Onöndowa’ga (Seneca) Wolf Clan)
Nathan is Onöndowa’ga:’ (Seneca) wolf clan and was born and raised on the Seneca Nation of Indians’ Ohi:yo’ (Allegany) territory. His primary focus as a journalist is connecting contemporary Indigenous experiences to the historical contexts from which they emerge through long-form narrative storytelling. He is particularly interested in highlighting the living practice of Haudenosaunee arts, culture, and foodways by centering the voices of people within our communities who do this vital work. After spending the past year focused on personal and family health, he is excited to be returning to Syracuse this summer to begin his career.
Adrianna Adame (Mexican/Indigenous)
Adrianna is a freelance writer and journalist who is passionate about reporting on underrepresented communities and the social issues that affect people within them. Right now, she is working towards her MA in journalism, being awarded the Graduate Newspaper Fellowship for Minorities to study at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. Currently, Adrianna is working as an intern at Syracuse.com, but also writes lifestyle and pop culture articles at POPSUGAR and Flique Editorial. Eventually, she wants to become an investigative journalist to report on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Children.
Joseph Lee (Aquinnah Wampanoag)
Joseph is an Aquinnah Wampanoag writer from Massachusetts and has lived in New York City for over ten years. He has a BA and MFA in nonfiction writing from Columbia University. He also teaches creative writing at Mercy College. He is currently an Indigenous Affairs Fellow at Grist, where he writes about the intersection between Indigenous communities and the environment. He likes biking around New York and finding great places to eat.
Shana Lombard (Cowlitz Tribe, Yakama descendant)
Klahowya, my untum is Shana Lombard. Shana is a member of the Cowlitz Tribe, a Yakama descendant, and a white American. She values journalism because it is one of the reasons why so many people have fought for our existence, the ability to have freedom of speech. Having a dad who’s an Army veteran sparked her curiosity about our freedoms and the value of the written word. Now that she’s employed, she can also say it’s a really fun job! She loves talking to people, learning from them, and being able to share perspectives on public platforms. She also loves oceanography.
JoVonne Wagner (Blackfeet)
JoVonne is from the Blackfeet Reservation located in northern Montana. She always loved to write but was undecided on how she was going to incorporate her passion into her career. Circumstances led to the University of Montana and the school of journalism. She has found her niche. She is taking my love for the written word to the level that will not only provide her with a career but will allow her to continue to write in an objective manner, to tell the truth.
Project Staff
Project Founder/Director
Doug Mitchell – NPR’s Next Generation Radio Project
Managing Editors
Michelle Faust Raghavan – Equity Initiative Manager, Solutions Journalism Network
Phyllis Fletcher – Independent Editor
Heather C. Gomez – Independent Editor
Digital Editors
Lita Beck (Navajo) – Equity Issues Editor, The Arizona Republic/Gannett
Alexis Richardson – Contest Strategist, Chief Innovation Officer, The Mom Edit
Audio Engineers
Selena Seay-Reynolds – Freelance Audio Engineer
Abby Fritz – Contributing Podcast Producer at The Stand South Side News
Illustrators
Lauren Ibanez – Freelance based in Houston
Ard Su – Freelance based in New York
EeJoon Choi – Freelance based in Los Angeles
Visuals
Todd Michalek – Photographer / Videographer
Mentors
Taylar Stagnar (Shoshone and Arapaho) – Tribal Affairs Reporter, Yellowstone Public Radio
Pauly Denetclaw (Diné) – Political Correspondent, Indian Country Today
Tarryn Mento – Professional in Residence at WAER/Syracuse University
Savannah Maher (Mashpee Wampanoag) – Reporter, Marketplace
Carrie Jung – Education Reporter, WBUR
