Native American Journalists Association Elects New President and Board

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Darla C. Leslie-Yakima

Native Brief: FT LAUDERDALE - Darla C. Leslie, Yakima, was elected president of the Native American Journalists Association (NAJA) by the board of directors at the 27th annual Native American Journalists Association conference in Fort Lauderdale, Florida July 16.

Leslie is a reporter/photographer for the Yakama Nation Review. She was elected for a three-year term on the NAJA board of directors. Also elected were Tristan Ahtone (Kiowa), Wyoming Public Radio, and Neyom Friday (Arapaho/Muskogee/Creek), a student at Broward College in South Florida.

The three filled the board seats of Sho-Ban News Editor, Lori Edmo-Suppah (Shoshone/Bannock), National Native News, Anchor/Producer, Antonia Gonzales (Navajo), and the late NAJA co-founder Minnie Two-Shoes (Assiniboine Sioux). Leslie was appointed last year to complete the remaining year of Two Shoes term on the NAJA board.

Six NAJA board members will remain in position until their terms are complete including, Rhonda LeValdo (Acoma Pueblo), Nancy Kelsey (Ottawa), Brent Merrill (Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde), Jolene Schonchin (Comanche), Shirley Sneve (Rosebud Sioux), and Andy Harvey (Navajo).

Leslie replaces LeValdo as the NAJA board president.

"I am truly grateful to Rhonda for her service to this great organization and truly respect her inspiration as a Native journalist," said Leslie, 33, As the new President, I will continually fall back on Rhonda's leadership, in addition to all past NAJA presidents and board members, for advice and direction as this organization continues to move forward".

LeValdo was seated as the new NAJA Vice-President, replacing Merrill.

Ahtone replaced Sneve as treasurer; Schonchin replaced Gonzales as secretary; and Kelsey takes the position of Sergeant-at-Arms.

"Although we have a powerful executive board, I will continually fall back on us, as a whole, before making any decisions," said Leslie. "I believe team effort is key when it comes to the success of an organization and each of us has our own unique professional backgrounds to bring to the table. I look forward to working with each of them and utilizing their creative ideas to put NAJA back on course to meet the mission as designed by the founders of this organization."

The Native American Journalists Association serves and empowers Native journalists through programs and actions designed to enrich journalism and promote Native cultures.

NAJA recognizes Native Americans as distinct peoples based on tradition and culture. In this spirit, NAJA educates and unifies its membership through journalism programs that promote diversity and defends challenges to free press, speech and expression. NAJA is committed to increase the representation of Native journalists in mainstream media. NAJA encourages both mainstream and tribal media to attain the highest standards of professionalism, ethics and responsibility.

posted July 21, 2011 11:20 am edt