IMC24 standard registration now open through July 19

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Indigenous Journalists Association (IJA) will host the Indigenous Media Conference (IMC), formerly known as the National Native Media Conference, at the Omni Hotel in Oklahoma City, July 25-27, 2024.

IJA’s board of directors voted unanimously in favor of Oklahoma City as its 2024 conference location to bring further awareness to the free press challenges facing tribal nations across the US, where only five of 574 federally recognized tribes have adopted free press protections for their independent media outlets. 

“I am thrilled IJA will be returning to Oklahoma, and for the first time to Oklahoma City. Being in the heart of Indian Country for the first time with our new name will be powerful, where Indigenous media outlets are leading the way with tribal press freedoms. As we enter this next chapter, I look forward to what IJA can help revive, strengthen, and build upon within our international Indigenous journalism community, and what better place for that than Oklahoma,” said Christine Trudeau, IJA President.

The annual three-day conference is returning to Oklahoma for the third time in its history, with past conferences held in Tulsa in 1989 and 2006.

“Oklahoma is home to 39 federally recognized tribes. There is so much to learn from the distinctive media landscape within the state and I’m looking forward to a phenomenal conference program that highlights the unique challenges and joys that come with reporting on our Indigenous communities here,” said Rebecca Landsberry-Baker, IJA Executive Director.