“It’s You and Us, Kid” – The Power of Cross-Border, Cross Ethnicity Reporting to Better Expand the Native American Story
by Jerry Ashton, Publisher “Now Hear This"
It is estimated that some 400 Indigenous news outlets, including print, digital, and broadcast, operate throughout North America and reach audiences from a few hundred to millions. The resonance outside the community? Not so much.
Native American stories, culture, and influence have yet to penetrate America’s consciousness. When the native is portrayed in mass media, it’s timeworn and often cartoonish. Certainly doesn’t show the contemporary Indian. That is a loss on both sides of this equation and needs correction.
Now Hear This and Indian Voices
Although neither of us can remember where or when (likely 15-20 years ago when I was involved in economic development in Indian Country), Rose Davis and I made a strong connection based on mutual trust and regard. This is why I reached out to her when I created a media platform called Now Hear This on my charity’s website and offered an opportunity for Indian Voices to expand its audience.
Not just any audience, but familiar to the Native American community—veterans.
This article by our lead editor, Meta Mereday, will give the reader a flavor of this partnership. In turn, Rose has provided us with a section in Indian Voices called “Veteran News,” which we write monthly.
Where do we expect this partnership to go? First, a possible template for other native, Hispanic, Black, and Asian media outlets. Secondly, full partnerships in campaigns that will catch national attention. Thirdly, by way of a strategy by which we Think Globally and Act Locally, bring attention and money to communities to directly support their veterans.
Want to learn more? Please contact either Rose or myself, and let’s chat.
Jerry Ashton is a former Navy Journalist, member of , co-founder of , and founder of End Veteran Debt.
