By Jodi Rave
of Buffalo’s Fire
I’ve always been a graphic arts and design geek at heart. I like the flow of lines and the combination of color, the contrast between dark and light. So, the last month has been fun, yet challenging as I work with a team of people who are helping redesign the Buffalo’s Fire webpage.
In fact, I’ve been so consumed that my husband recently reminded me that I should consider updating my Buffalo’s Fire webpage, the one that is actually visible on daily basis. Yes, I’m laughing because I’ve actually been spending maddening hours updating the website for weeks now. I understand that few others see what I see every day – an evolving website that I am starting to admire.
For readers who haven’t been following this venture, I announced a fundraiser for the Buffalo’s Fire website in November, an ambitious goal to raise nearly $11,000 in 30 days. I’m happy to report that we exceeded our goal with nearly 80 contributions on the indiegogo.com website. Our video campaign explaining what we’re doing is still online. It’s a good place to check out, too, because it’s filled with thoughtful and encouraging comments from our supporters.
That’s been one of the highlights of all the hard work. We have a lot of people who are backing this new venture 100 percent.
What’s next? Well, after many long days and coordinating with the Buffalo’s Fire design team regarding page layout, we are now starting to import text and photos. It’s not a surprise that we have some tweaking in a few of the areas.
I will be getting a report from the design team on Monday as they work on the nuts and bolts of the page. Meanwhile, I have spent the good part of Sunday reviewing opinion and analysis pieces from several people who I have chosen or asked to be a part of the opening launch, including Sally Willett, Lisa Lone Fight, Fredricka Hunter, Mark Trahant and Lita Pepion.
These people will give us a good mix of current events in Indian Country, including land, science, education, and health and community activism. I will also be writing my own column, which will include interviews with D’Shane Barnett, executive director of the National Council of Urban Indian Health, and I’ve also interviewed Walter Lamer, president of Lamar Associates, who was recently named the 2012 American Indian Business of the Year by the National Center for American Indian Business Enterprise Development.
Lamar will be presented the award on Thursday, March 1 in Las Vegas during the Reservation Economic Summit. The Buffalo’s Fire team will also be at the event to promote the new webpage during the RES2012 trade fair. If you are around, please stop by our booth and say hello.
I will keep this update short and sweet.
Keep checking in with us, as I plan to soon announce the launch of the redesigned Buffalo’s Fire. I promise readers will be getting a lot more news in days to come.