NAJA Announces 2017 Scholarship Recipients

Native American Journalists Association awards $6,000 in scholarships to Native students across Indian Country

The Native American Journalists Association (NAJA) has awarded seven scholarships to student members studying journalism in 2017.

Spread across two academic years, the organization presented five $1,000 scholarships and two $500 scholarships to students representing six universities nationwide.

The 2016-2017 NAJA Scholarship recipients are Pauly Denetclaw (Diné), Sarah Sunshine Manning (Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of Duck Valley Indian Reservation) and Shondiin Silversmith (Navajo Nation). NAJA awarded a $1,000 scholarship to each student in February 2017.

The 2017-2018 NAJA Scholarship recipients were announced live at the NAJA Membership Luncheon and Business Meeting on Sept. 8, in Anaheim, California in coordination with the 2017 Excellence in Journalism conference. Taylor Notah (Navajo Nation) and Tsanavi Spoonhunter both received $500 awards while Kalen Goodluck (Three Affiliated Tribes / Diné / Tsimshian) and Jolene Yazzie (Navajo Nation) each received $1,000. Awards were disbursed earlier this month.

As part of the organization’s programs, NAJA presents annual scholarships to Native American students pursuing media degrees at higher education institutions. To apply for scholarships, students are required to be current NAJA members in good standing. Applications are reviewed by a committee of NAJA members and media professionals.

Funding for NAJA programs is made possible through events such as the annual Silent Auction, which benefits NAJA Scholarships with all proceeds. To learn more or to make a donation to NAJA’s scholarship fund, visit www.naja.com or donate online here.