Senior Reporter, Native Culture

Position Summary: Native News Online seeks an experienced and passionate
Senior Reporter to lead editorial coverage for a three-year, grant-funded project called “Cultivating Culture: Indigenous Food and Language Project.” This full-time position will involve in-depth reporting on two critical areas facing Indian Country: food sovereignty and Native language revitalization.
The Senior Reporter will work independently and collaboratively with a dynamic team to produce impactful stories that reflect the challenges, innovations, and successes emerging from tribal communities. This role requires a strong commitment to cultural accuracy, journalistic integrity, and community-focused storytelling. Candidates must be willing to travel to conduct on-the-ground reporting in Native communities.

Required Qualifications:
● 5+ years of experience in journalism or reporting, with a focus on
Indigenous issues, food systems, or language preservation.
● Proven experience in long-form storytelling, investigative reporting, and
multimedia content creation (audio, video, photography).
● Strong understanding of Indigenous communities, food sovereignty, and
Native language revitalization efforts.
● Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with Indigenous
communities, tribal leaders, and organizations.
● Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a keen attention to
detail and a strong commitment to accuracy.
● Experience with project management, including meeting deadlines,
coordinating with internal teams, and managing reporting logistics.
● Ability to work independently and as part of a remote team in a fast-paced,
deadline-driven environment.
● Willingness to travel extensively to cover these topics on the ground.

Key Responsibilities: Editorial Coverage: ● Lead daily news coverage and feature stories focused on food sovereignty and language revitalization e orts in Indigenous communities. ● Conduct in-depth interviews with key leaders, community members, and experts to gather insights and stories. ● Research and write investigative and solutions-focused stories that highlight tribal sovereignty, food security, and language preservation. ● Stay up-to-date with federal, state, and tribal policy changes related to food sovereignty and language revitalization, o ering analysis and timely updates. ● Provide editorial leadership in a team environment, working alongside photographers, multimedia specialists, and freelancers to produce engaging content. On-the-Ground Reporting: ● Travel to tribal communities for immersive, on-the-ground reporting to capture authentic perspectives and document the real-world impact of food sovereignty and language preservation initiatives. ● Use multimedia tools to document stories, including photography, audio, and video, for a comprehensive storytelling approach. ● Foster relationships with tribal leaders, community activists, and Indigenous organizations to gain access to important sources and perspectives. Collaboration & Content Development: ● Collaborate closely with the project’s editorial team to ensure editorial goals align with the broader vision of the Cultivating Culture initiative. ● Support the creation of multimedia content, including podcasts, livestreams, and social media content, to accompany written stories. ● Actively engage with the Native News Online team to brainstorm and develop new story ideas, keeping a focus on innovative approaches to food sovereignty and language revitalization. Cultural Sensitivity & Authenticity: ● Ensure the highest standards of cultural sensitivity and accuracy in all content, reflecting Indigenous perspectives and honoring tribal sovereignty and cultural practices. ● Work closely with Indigenous community leaders and experts to ensure that stories reflect community values and needs. ● Collaborate with local Native freelancers and contributors to provide diverse, authentic perspectives in reporting. Community Engagement: ● Participate in relevant conferences, webinars, and events to share insights from your reporting and engage with key stakeholders in food sovereignty and language revitalization. ● Work with Indigenous and mainstream media partners to amplify reporting and ensure broader visibility of key issues and initiatives. ● Assist in public outreach, responding to community inquiries, and engaging with readers through comments and social media.