Covering Indian Country Blog

Tips for Journalists

Hip Hop, Sacred Sites, Drydocks and Other Untold Stories from Indian Country

It’s a tendency for even many Indian journalists to gravitate towards the tried, if not true, stories from Native America: poverty, alcoholism, suicide, racism and failing schools. 

Breaking away from the standards is tough, particularly if the reporter is sympathetic towards sharing these hardships with the public.  However, the audience is often left with the notion that these issues are ones that solely define contemporary Indian existence, which is not the case.

Today I got to sit among very esteemed company: Denny McAuliffe, Suzanne Shown Harjo and Bill McAllister, who all made the case for untold stories they’d like to share. Among those listed were the preservation of Indian sacred sites, the prominence of hip-hop among Native youth, an ill-fated dry dock venture for an impoverished Alaskan tribe, and the “fractionated heirship” which involves the Cobell trust case.  All of these stories, besides being enterprise, are complex and deserving of further attention.  Yet these can often be the hardest to sell, both to an audience and editorial manager.

I find that even if an assignments editor or news director is enthusiastic about Indian stories, they can still fall prey to the standard “doom and gloom” expectations of tribal communities, and this demands a re-education of sorts; that while it’s important to highlight the tragedies and shortcomings of Indian life, there’s also room for celebration and optimism.  I’ve filed stories for National Public Radio that have carried both aspects, because I’m fortunate to work with a bureau chief whose expectations are wide-open.

But if that’s one hurdle passed, then another one presents itself: accessing tribal communities that can bring those untold stories to light.

I count myself lucky in that being part Indian (Nez Perce), my general appearance and familiarity with tribal communities have gotten me further into “the Rez” than my non-Indian colleagues often have.  But even I hit a firewall now and then, particularly when approaching stories packed with spiritual or ceremonial observance.

My suggestion for any reporter wanting to cover “Indian Country” is this:  be proactive.  Don’t wait for a story to erupt, then try to schmooze and woo the tribal community.  Make a few cold calls, drop in and visit, hand out business cards but leave the camera, tape recorder, or notepad in the car.  Visit everyone, whether it’s a tribal chairperson or a teen skateboarding down the sidewalk.  Ask what’s news, how things are going, if there’s any new projects happening - without passing judgment or trying to nail down an immediate source.  Get a feel for the local politics, and immediate relations outside the reservation borders.  Often they can be strained.

Take note of new buildings, ones in disrepair, which people are in charge, and why.  Come again, and repeat.

If and when a story breaks, ask what is appropriate when it comes to recording sound or video.  If you’re asked to shut off a recording device, do it.  Don’t secretly record the event either, no matter how intriguing it is.  One burnt bridge can take ages to rebuild, and you may well endanger the relationship between the tribe and other journalists as well.

Observe and respect the cultural mores of an Indian community, and you may well find yourself being privy to more breaking news and enterprise opportunities than the average reporter.  And while Native American stories can be very time-consuming and complex, your reward will be in covering a much under-reported people, and exposing your audience to their accomplishments and prospects as well as their hardships.

--Brian Bull, Wisconsin Public Radio

Posted on 03.09.05 at 1:50 AM by Victor Merina