IJA will host a member Q&A to review amended bylaws on June 30 followed by a candidate forum on July 6. 

Board of directors elections will be held online July 8-22 and in person July 22-23 at the Indigenous Media Conference in Portland, Ore. Members will also vote to approve the amended IJA Bylaws (2026) and Amended Certificate of Incorporation (2026).

IJA Elections Committee Chair Angel Ellis said, “One of the most important ways members can contribute to IJA is by exercising their right to vote for their leaders. This year voters will be deciding on more than just the board of directors. We have a ballot question to adopt new bylaws for the organization. Members can attend Q&A webinars to learn more about the candidates and bylaws.”

The IJA Governance and Elections Committee retained Nonprofit Solutions Law to review the Amended Certificate of Incorporation (2026) and amended IJA Bylaws (2026) to ensure compliance with Oklahoma (IJA headquarters) and federal law. 

IJA Executive Director Rebecca Landsberry-Baker said the new bylaws reflect more than a decade of work and tremendous progress toward the 2026-2029 strategic goals.  “Members voted to change the name in 2023 and now our governance documents can finally reflect our identity as a global association. The board and staff have worked incredibly hard and I’m thrilled to finally bring this to a vote with the understanding that our policies can and should be ever-evolving according to the needs of the organization.”

Certificate of Incorporation

The amended Certificate of Incorporation (2026) legally changes the name of the organization from “Native American Journalists Association” to the “Indigenous Journalists Association,” as adopted by membership in a 2023 vote:

IJA Certificate of Incorporation (2026) DRAFT

Amended IJA Bylaws

The amended IJA Bylaws (2026) combine the current charter and board guidelines into a single policy document and reflect the “Indigenous Journalists Association” name change:

IJA Amended Bylaws (2026) DRAFT

In a live Q&A hosted by the committee, members will have an opportunity to learn about the amended bylaws and articles. The Q&A is scheduled for Tuesday, June 30 at 5:30 p.m. CT on Zoom. Registration is required to attend.

The current NAJA bylaws are available for reference below. IJA members are encouraged to review all bylaw-related documents before they make their vote (note: the old bylaws will not be available for reference on the voting ballot).

• The current NAJA Charter (1983) is linked here.

• The current NAJA Board Policy and Bylaws (1995) are linked here.

Additionally, IJA will host a live Q&A with board candidates on Monday, July 6 at 6 p.m. CT on Zoom. Registration is required to attend.  

Members will vote to fill three vacancies on the 2026-2027 IJA Board of Directors for 3-year terms running through 2029 and one vacancy for a 1-year term ending in 2027:

• Graham Lee Brewer (One-Year Term)
• Sunnie Clahchischiligi (Three-Year Term)
• Melissa Greene-Blye (Three-Year Term)
• Joseph Lee (Three-Year Term)

Members may cast one ballot, either online or in-person, and the Elections Committee will ensure there are no duplicates. In the instance a duplicate vote is determined, all votes submitted by the member will be voided. 

IJA members in good standing are current on their 2026 annual membership dues. Voting membership classes include: Indigenous college students, Indigenous professionals, lifetime and tribal media members. Associate and institutional members are not eligible to participate in IJA elections. 

For online voting, eligible IJA members will receive a unique link in the email associated with their membership. 

In-person voting will take place on Wednesday, July 22, from 5-7 p.m. PT at The Redd on Salmon Street and on Thursday, July 23, from 1-2 p.m. PT at the Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront following the IJA Membership Luncheon at IMC26.

Election results will be announced live during the Indigenous Media Awards Banquet on Friday, July 24. 

For questions or more information, contact Elections Committee Chair Angel Ellis at: committees@indigenousjournalists.org.