NORMAN, Okla. – The Indigenous Journalists Association (IJA) will recognize outstanding coverage of Indigenous communities over the 2024 calendar year through the Indigenous Media Awards (IMA) during the 2025 Indigenous Media Conference (IMC) at Isleta Casino and Resorts in Albuquerque, New Mexico Aug. 13-15.
The IMA’s are the first and only awards contest dedicated to honoring the work of Indigenous journalists and non-Indigneous journalists covering our stories. The IMA’s are uniquely designed to recognize excellence in reporting on Indigenous Peoples and communities across the U.S., Canada and globally. Entries from IJA members and non-members highlight important stories which we’re honored to celebrate every award season.
IJA members and non-members can submit their entries using the BetterBNC Media Awards Platform. Before submitting an entry, please read the full contest instructions. Failure to comply with contest rules may lead to delayed results, ranking penalties during judging or full disqualification of entries without a refund.
The Indigenous Media Awards has three divisions:
- Student for Indigenous undergraduate and graduate students. Must have an IJA membership that specifies Indigenous affiliation.
- Professional for Indigenous journalists. Must have an IJA membership that specifies Indigenous affiliation.
- Associate for non-Indigenous journalists. Note: Students that are non-Indigenous should submit according to the Associate Division that fits their circulation level.
As of 2024, entrants in Professional and Student Divisions must have a current IJA membership that specifies their Indigenous affiliation.
Entries with multiple bylines or credits from a team with a minimum of 50% Indigenous entrants may enter the Professional (Indigenous) Division. Teams with less than 50% Indigenous entrants listed should enter the Associate Division.
Learn more about the divisions, circulations, category descriptions, entry fees and judging.
IJA is accepting nominations for the Special Awards
2025 IJA-Medill Milestone Achievement Award
The IJA-Medill Milestone Achievement Award recognizes important contributions made by journalists in the past, as well as encourages the new generation of Indigenous journalists to achieve career excellence. This award honors IJA’s mission and the exemplary people who have led the way with outstanding work and contributions to the field of journalism.
The winner of the IJA-Medill Milestone Achievement Award will receive $5,000 from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. IJA will present the award during the IJA Membership Luncheon and Business Meeting on Thursday, Aug. 14 during the 2025 Indigenous Media Conference at the Isleta Casino and Resorts. All entrants must be IJA members, however, there is no entry fee for this category and there is no cost to nominate a member for this award.
2025 IJA Minnie Two Shoes Award for Excellence in Tribal Media
The Minnie Two Shoes Award celebrates the hard work of tribal media professionals who keep our communities engaged, informed and connected. It recognizes a journalist who has shown tenacity in pursuing stories that matter to the people they serve. Tribal media is defined as a local newspaper, radio or TV station, digital outlet that focuses primarily on one tribal community (ie. Sho-Ban News, Mvskoke Media, Navajo Times, Cheyenne and Arapaho Productions).
There is no entry fee for this category and there is no cost to nominate a member for this award. Entrants/nominees must be current IJA members and tribal media employees. The award comes with a cash prize of $1000 with support from the International Women’s Media Foundation.
2025 IJA Elias Boudinot Free Press Award
The IJA Elias Boudinot Free Press Award recognizes a publication or media outlet that has shown dedication and commitment to upholding freedom of the press, information and transparency within Indigenous Communities. All entrants must be IJA members, however, there is no entry fee for this category and there is no cost to nominate a member for this award. The recipient will be recognized during the 2025 Indigenous Media Awards Banquet on Friday, Aug. 15.
2025 IJA 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 IJA. This mission has always focused on uniting and empowering Indigenous media and championing accurate journalism, despite the unique challenges that come with reporting on our own tribal communities.
The Tim Giago Free Press Award recognizes an individual IJA member that has shown dedication and commitment to upholding freedom of the press, information and transparency within their Indigenous community. Nominees must be current IJA 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. The recipient will be recognized during the 2025 Indigenous Media Awards Banquet on Friday, Aug. 15.
2025 IJA Richard LaCourse Award
The IJA Richard LaCourse Award for Investigative Journalism honors groundbreaking work by a Indigenous journalist or a team that creatively uses digital tools in the role of community watchdog. Special consideration is given to journalism that helps a community understand and address important issues. All entrants must be IJA members, however, there is no entry fee for this category. A $500 cash prize will be awarded and the recipient will be recognized during the 2025 Indigenous Media Awards Banquet on Friday, Aug. 15.
