Published on Feb 28, 2018
WASHINGTON, D.C. | Independent journalist Mark Trahant (Shoshone-Bannock Tribes) has accepted the role of Editor to lead Indian Country Today, under the ownership of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI).
“We are excited to have Mark Trahant on board to help us lead this next chapter of Indian Country Today,” stated NCAI President Jefferson Keel. “Mark is respected in and beyond Indian Country for his professionalism, journalistic skills, and keen insight into issues and developments impacting tribal nations.”
Trahant has a demonstrated history of commitment to the Native American voice through journalism. As a dedicated journalist, Trahant does a weekly audio commentary for Native Voice One, while also reporting and commenting on events and trends through his blog at TrahantReports.com. He also serves as a faculty member at the University of North Dakota as the Charles R. Johnson Endowed Professor of Journalism.
“I am excited and can’t wait to get going,” Trahant said. “Indian Country needs a national digital platform for this generation that builds on the good work done by so many who created and published Indian Country Today in its previous lives. I look forward to recruiting and working with talented journalists who will create an innovative news organization.”
As the former editor of the editorial page for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Trahant chaired the daily editorial board, and directed a staff of writers, editors and a cartoonist. He has also worked at The Seattle Times, Arizona Republic, Salt Lake Tribune, Moscow-Pullman Daily News, Navajo Times, Navajo Nation Today, and the Sho-Ban News. Trahant is also former president of the Native American Journalists Association.
“The first tribal editor, Elias Boudinot, described his paper as a ‘vehicle of Indian intelligence.’ Even though ink has been replaced by pixels, the task remains the same – to publish an informative daily account that’s comprehensive and adds context to the stories missing from the mainstream media,” Trahant said. “We have so many stories to tell. Our mission is simple but important: Solid, factual reporting. Great writing. Photography that inspires and records. Provide a real service to readers across Indian Country’s digital landscape.”
On February 1, 2018, NCAI officially took over ownership of Indian Country Today, and moving forward plans to share content to tribal newspapers, radio stations, and websites at no cost with proper credit attributions.
“We are eager to add to this important platform for Indian Country. We will work to make sure that this next chapter of Indian Country Today is both sustainable and useful while maintaining the primary goal of dedicated service others have forged before us,” said NCAI Executive Director Jacqueline Pata.
You can visit Indian Country Today at www.indiancountrymedianetwork.com.
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About the National Congress of American Indians:
Founded in 1944, the National Congress of American Indians is the oldest, largest and most representative American Indian and Alaska Native organization in the country. NCAI advocates on behalf of tribal governments and communities, promoting strong tribal-federal government-to-government policies, and promoting a better understanding among the general public regarding American Indian and Alaska Native governments, people and rights. For more information visit www.ncai.org.