The Indigenous Journalists Association will recognize outstanding coverage of Turtle Island during IMC25
The Indigenous Journalists Association (IJA) will present 250 awards recognizing outstanding coverage of Indigenous communities on Friday, Aug. 15 as part of the 2025 Indigenous Media Conference at the Isleta Resort and Casino in Albuquerque, NM.
The annual Indigenous Media Awards contest recognizes excellence in reporting by Indigenous and non-Indigenous journalists from across the globe. This year, IJA received a record number of 871 entries.
Winners should submit any award corrections via email to jmedina@naja.com with the winner’s division, category, outlet, entrant name and corrected information no later than Monday, June 30.
View the full list of winners.
Award pick-up
Winners may pick up their awards in-person at the IJA Indigenous Media Awards Banquet on Friday, Aug. 15. Those who are unable to attend in-person may request to have their awards shipped directly at cost.
To request the direct shipping option, winners must complete the 2025 Indigenous Media Awards Direct Shipping Request Form no later than Thursday, July 31. Additional copies of award plaques may also be purchased and shipped at cost.
Entries that did not follow the contest rules were either accommodated to comply or disqualified at the contest admin or judges’ discretion. IJA thanks all of the judges, their outlets and organizations for the investment of time and expertise in making this year’s contest possible:
- Ben LaPoe, E.W. Scripps School of Journalism
- Benny Polacca, Osage News
- Brian Bull, KLCC
- Brittany Guyot, APTN
- Chelsea Curtis, Arizona Luminaria
- Chris Picciuolo, O’Odham Action News
- Cullen Crozier, APTN
- Debra Krol, Arizona Republic
- Felicia Fonseca, The Associated Press
- Frank Robertson, South Dakota State University
- Joseph Lee
- Kolby KickingWoman, ICT
- Lenzy Krehbiel-Burton, Tulsa World
- Melissa Mylchreest, Institute for Journalism and Natural Resources
- Noel Lyn Smith, Inside Climate News
- Pauly Denetclaw, ICT
- Rosemary Stephens, Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribal Tribune
- Stacy Amber Thacker
- Tara Gatewood, IWMF
- Taylar Dawn Stagner
- Travis Snell, Confederated Umatilla Journal
- Tyler Thomas, Cherokee Phoenix
- Dr. Victoria LaPoe, E.W. Scripps School of Journalism
