Melissa Greene-Blye (Miami Tribe of Oklahoma) worked as an anchor and reporter for 20 years in the news business, covering local news in television markets big and small. She enjoys using her knowledge and experience to educate the newest generation of journalists. 

Green-Blye is the director of the Center for Indigenous Student Media and is a professor in the University of Kansas School of Journalism and Mass Communications where she created and directs the KU Native Storytelling Workshop, a summer media workshop for Indigenous high school students, and is the faculty supervisor for Good Morning Indian Country, an award-winning student-led weekly Native news and information program produced collaboratively by students from KU and Haskell Indian Nations University. She serves as chair of the IJA Education Committee and also serves on the board of IndiJ Public Media.

Clahchischiligi said she is appreciative of Bennett-Begaye’s service to the organization and that Greene-Blye is an excellent candidate to fill the appointment. 

“I offer my deepest gratitude to Jourdan for her contribution to IJA and its members,” Clahchischiligi said. “And I extend that gratitude to Melissa, who has agreed to step in. She is a longtime IJA member who has already demonstrated a steadfast commitment to serve the organization.”

The remaining officers and members will continue to serve on the board of directors for the duration of their elected terms. 

2025 IJA Board of Directors

• Sunnie R. Clahchischiligi (Diné), president
• Angel Ellis (Muscogee Nation), vice president  
• Joseph Lee (Aquinnah Wampanoag), treasurer
• Roselynn Yazzie (Shoshone-Bannock / Diné), secretary
• Angel Moore (Cree, Peguis First Nation)
• Alyssa London (Tlingit)
• Bryan Pollard (Cherokee Nation)
• Eden Fineday (Cree, Sweetgrass First Nation)