Spotted Bear Moderates UNESCO Panel on Amplifying Indigenous Voices in Media
The Indigenous Media Freedom Alliance founder leads a discussion with international media leaders on empowering Indigenous communities in media
Jodi Rave Spotted Bear, founder and publisher of Buffalo’s Fire and the Indigenous Media Freedom Alliance, moderated a panel on Wednesday during the UNESCO Media Partnership Forum on Indigenous Peoples and the Media.
The panel, "Amplifying Indigenous Voices through Free, Independent and Viable Media," brought together media leaders to explore strategies for empowering Indigenous communities in media. Spotted Bear led the discussion with panelists from the U.S., Norway, Ecuador, Bangladesh, and Colombia, focusing on themes such as free press, representation, and sustainability in Indigenous-led media.
“Indigenous peoples have long been underrepresented in mainstream media, and this session was an important step toward addressing that imbalance,” Spotted Bear said. “By sharing knowledge and strategies, we amplified the stories and voices of Indigenous communities worldwide.”
The Paris forum aimed to enhance Indigenous participation in media industries and addressed challenges of fair representation. Discussions over the two-day event included topics such as improving Indigenous representation, promoting collaboration between Indigenous and non-Indigenous media organizations, and advancing press freedom for Indigenous communities.
Panelists included:
- Bryan Pollard (Cherokee Nation), Grant Operations and News Partnerships Manager, Associated Press (USA)
- Johan Ailo Kalstad, Director of NRK Sámi, Sámi Division, Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (Norway)
- Jorge Guachamín, Executive Secretary, Coordinator of Popular and Educational Community Media (Ecuador)
- Satej Chakma, Executive Editor, Indigenous Peoples’ News (Bangladesh)
- Gustavo Ulcué Campo, Communications and Advocacy Coordinator, National Commission of Indigenous Territories (Colombia)
Spotted Bear’s participation underscored IMFA’s ongoing commitment to global Indigenous media initiatives and advancing press freedom.
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.
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.