WINNIPEG, Canada (AP) 鈥� The Native American Journalists Association announced Friday it is to the Indigenous Journalists Association in an effort to become more inclusive and strengthen ties with Indigenous journalists worldwide.
鈥淲e need young, Indigenous people to be telling stories in their own communities, and so having a name that can be inclusive to all Indigenous peoples, especially First Nations and Inuit, M茅tis and Canada, who don鈥檛 identify as Native American -- So that was really part of it,鈥� Francine Compton, citizen of Sandy Bay Ojibway First Nation and associate director of the journalists association, told The Associated Press.
The group that was founded in 1983 and now includes more than 950 members, mostly in the U.S., announced the name change at its annual conference in Winnipeg, Canada. The decision was made after Indigenous members voted 89-55 in favor of the name change. About 400 Indigenous members were eligible to vote.
The organization also updated the logo from NAJA with a feather to a stylized 鈥淚JA.鈥�
The name change has been in consideration for a few years, as the association sought to give its members time to voice their support and any concerns, Compton said.
It also wanted to honor the association's legacy and those who led it, including board presidents who were gifted a beaded medallion with the NAJA logo on stage Friday, with drumming and song filling the room.
The change also reflects terminology used by the United Nations and other multinational organizations.
鈥淲e live in a time when it is possible to connect and create deep, meaningful relationships with Indigenous journalists no matter where they are, and we look forward to helping them find each other to share their knowledge and support,鈥� Graham Lee Brewer, a Cherokee Nation citizen and the association鈥檚 president, said in a statement.
It also represents an evolution in how Indigenous people see themselves.
鈥淚t鈥檚 part of this larger movement that鈥檚 happening in Indigenous people, just reclaiming everything that鈥檚 theirs that should be theirs,鈥� board member Jourdan Bennett-Begaye said ahead of the vote. 鈥淪ince contact, decisions have been made for us and not by us.鈥�
But other members of the organization did not agree with the change.
Roy Dick said the change doesn鈥檛 align with how he identifies as a citizen of the Yakama Nation and as Native American. He voted against it.
鈥淚ndigenous is good for the young people, but we鈥檙e old school, and that鈥檚 how we鈥檝e been going,鈥� said Dick, a morning DJ at the tribally owned KYNR radio station in Toppenish, Washington.
He noted the work ahead in assuring the organization鈥檚 bylaws and other guidelines are consistent with the new name.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a lot to think about for these new leaders that are in there now,鈥� said Dick. 鈥淭hey have to do a lot of reading to see if that name will grab on.鈥�
___
Golden reported from Seattle.
Hallie Golden And Felicia Fonseca, The Associated Press
