Media journey

Dispatch from the IJA conference: As event winds down, president reflects on ‘full-circle’ moment

Christine Trudeau remembers early journalistic beginnings in Albuquerque


Photo: IJA president Christine Trudeau, at the Isleta Resort & Casino in Albuquerque, Aug. 15, 2025. (Photo credit: Brian Bull)
Photo: IJA president Christine Trudeau, at the Isleta Resort & Casino in Albuquerque, Aug. 15, 2025. (Photo credit: Brian Bull)
Brian Bull

Brian Bull

August 15, 2025

The third and final day of the Indigenous Journalist Association’s annual conference wraps up today with the results of the IJA board elections and awards presentations capping the evening.

IJA president Christine Trudeau said this year’s theme was “Sovereignty equals Free Press.” She said it’s been challenging and complicated getting tribes to adopt clauses into their constitutions that assure their newspapers, radio and TV stations, and other media operate independently.

“It’s going to be different for every nation,” Trudeau told Buffalo’s Fire. She said IJA has offered guidance on how to get the process going but acknowledged it’s been difficult getting buy-in from officials.

Trudeau will officially wrap up her term as IJA president this weekend, and return to her position as managing editor for Underscore Native News in Portland, Oregon. She said having the conference in Albuquerque created a “full-circle” event.

“Right here in Albuquerque, I got my start. I was an intern at KUNM and I was filing a story a week while I was finishing my undergrad at the Institute of American Indian Arts.”

Trudeau said she filed radio news spots with National Native News, and one of her mentors was NNN’s host and producer, Antonia Gonzalez.

“I wasn't getting paid at KUNM. So I was able to actually make money and write and do things that are really important, like communicate essential information for people.”

The location of the 2026 IJA conference will be announced at the end of the evening.

Brian Bull

(Nez Perce Tribe)

Senior Reporter

Location: Eugene, Oregon
Awards: Edward R. Murrow 2025
See the journalist page
Brian Bull

Sharing Is Caring

This article is not included in our Story Share & Care selection.

The content may only be reproduced with permission from the Indigenous Media Freedom Alliance. Please see our content sharing guidelines.

© Buffalo's Fire. All rights reserved.

Help us keep the fire burning, make a donation to Buffalo’s Fire

For everyone who cares about transparency in Native affairs: We exist to illuminate tribal government. Our work bridges the gap left by tribal-controlled media and non-Native, extractive journalism, providing the insights necessary for truly informed decision-making and a better quality of life. Because the consequences of restricted press freedom affect our communities every day, our trauma-informed reporting is rooted in a deep, firsthand expertise.

Every gift helps keep the fire burning. A monthly contribution makes the biggest impact. Cancel anytime.

Continue
Register for the free Buffalo's Fire Newsletter.

Respect The Fire

At Buffalo's Fire, we value constructive dialogue that builds an informed Indian Country. To keep this space healthy, moderators will remove:

  • Personal attacks, harassment, or hate speech
  • Spam, misinformation, or unsolicited promotion
  • Off-topic rants and excessive shouting (All Caps)

Let’s keep the fire burning with respect.