SENIOR REPORTER, Native Culture

Details

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. 

Title: Senior Reporter, Native Culture

Organization: Native News Online

Reports to: Brian Edwards, co-founder, associate editor

Location: Remote

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 — including Founder and Editor Levi Rickert, Associate Editor Brian Edwards and a project editor — 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. 

Key Responsibilities:

Editorial Coverage:

• Lead daily news coverage and feature stories focused on food sovereignty and language revitalization efforts 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, offering 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.

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. 

Compensation:

• Competitive base salary with a benefits package including health insurance, retirement matching, and performance-based incentives.
• Opportunity for growth based on editorial and project successes.

To Apply: Submit a cover letter, resume, and at least three appropriate writing samples to Brian Edwards (bedwards [at] indiancountrymedia.com). Please include a brief summary of your experience reporting on Indigenous communities and how you approach culturally sensitive topics in your work. Qualified Indigenous candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.