ABOUT
The Indigenous Journalists Association has committees that shape and guide the organization. These committees are made up of board members and IJA members. Any IJA member is able to join most committees, with the exception of the executive committee. If you are interested in joining a committee, please email: contact@naja.com.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Closed to the IJA board of directors leadership.
President: Christine Trudeau
Vice-President: Jourdan Bennett-Begaye
Treasurer: Angel Ellis
Secretary: Savannah Mahe
FINANCE / FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE
Treasurer / Chair: Angel Ellis
Members: Savannah Maher
ELECTIONS COMMITTEE
Oversees IJA elections and elections process, including recruiting members to run for the board of directors, organizing and managing a meet and greet session with potential candidates and managing the elections booth during the annual conference.
Chair: Christine Trudeau
Co-chair: Savannah Maher
Members: Angel Ellis, Shondiin Silversmith
CONFERENCE COMMITTEE
Organizes and selects programs, suggests speakers and entertainment. This committee is open to community members for the local planning committee.
Chair: Angel Moore
Co-chair: Graham Lee Brewer
Members: Shondiin Silversmith, Jourdan Bennett-Begaye
MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE
Chair: Savannah Maher
Members: Angel Moore, Angel Ellis, Christine Trudeau, Toastie B. Oaster
INDIGIQUEER COMMITTEE
One of the newest committees, this committee provides recommendations to the BOD and IJA staff on the inclusivity of the 2SLGBTQ+ IJA members and community at-large.
Chair: Christine Trudeu
Members: Angel Ellis, Jourdan Bennett-Begaye, Savannah Maher, Toastie B. Oaster, Nika Bartoo-Smith, Sarah Liese, Kyndell Harkness, Jarrette Werk, Francisco Vara-Orta
EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Assists IJA with organizing the Indigenous Journalism Fellowship, consulting and cultivating partnerships with educational institutions including high schools, tribal colleges and universities for scholarship opportunities, fellowships or workshops.
Chair: Jourdan Bennett-Begaye
Co-Chair: Angel Ellis
Members: Darren Brown, Frank Robertson, Frank Blanquet, Lenzy Krehbiel-Burton, Pauly Denetclaw, Savannah Maher, Christine Trudeau, Victoria LaPoe, Shondiin Silversmith, Angel Moore, Graham Lee Brewer
ETHICS COMMITTEE
Lead targeted discussions of challenges of covering Indigenous communities including sourcing, advocacy and lack of freedom of the press among tribal media outlets.
Chair: Christine Trudeau
Co-Chair: Shondiin Silversmith
Members: Angel Moore, Angel Ellis, Pauly Denetclaw, Jourdan Benett-Begaye
FREE PRESS COMMITTEE
Chair: Angel Ellis
Members: Graham Lee Brewer, Jodi Rave Spotted Bear, Christine Trudeau