Overview:
The Indigenous Journalists Association is demanding an apology and changes to the Albuquerque Journal’s editorial review process after the newspaper published a cartoon depicting New Mexico Governor-elect Deb Haaland that IJA says relies on racist stereotypes and misrepresents Indigenous cultures.
Native Vote 2026
The Indigenous Journalists Association (IJA) is condemning the Albuquerque Journal for publishing an editorial cartoon that it says relies on racist stereotypes to depict New Mexico Governor-elect Deb Haaland, a citizen of the Pueblo of Laguna.
The cartoon, created by editorial cartoonist John Trever, appeared in the newspaper’s Sunday, Nov. 8, print edition. IJA is calling on the Albuquerque Journal to issue a public apology and explain how the cartoon was approved for publication.
According to IJA, the cartoon uses a reference to a “totem pole” to turn Haaland’s Indigenous identity into a punch line. The organization said the reference incorrectly attributes a cultural practice associated with Indigenous tribes of the Pacific Northwest to a Pueblo woman, while also misrepresenting the cultural significance of totem poles.
“That choice reinforces the false idea that Indigenous peoples and cultures are interchangeable,” IJA said, emphasizing that totem poles serve specific cultural purposes and should not be used as a punch line.
IJA acknowledged that political cartoonists have the right to scrutinize Haaland’s political record, policy proposals and the challenges facing New Mexico. However, the organization said newspaper editors remain responsible for the material they choose to publish.
Readers, IJA said, deserve political commentary that holds public officials accountable without reducing them to racial caricatures.
The organization is urging the Albuquerque Journal to take four steps in response to the controversy:
- Publish a public apology: Issue an apology in both print and online editions that identifies the racist stereotypes in the cartoon and accepts responsibility for publishing it.
- Explain the editorial review process: Disclose how the cartoon was approved and identify changes editors will make when reviewing cartoons and other opinion content.
- Provide staff education: Create opportunities for newsroom staff to receive education and training to improve coverage of Indigenous communities.
- Use journalism resources: Seek assistance from IJA and other journalism organizations to strengthen culturally accurate and ethical reporting.
IJA offers newsroom training through its Indigenous Media Initiative, which is designed to help journalists cover Indigenous issues, people and communities accurately, ethically and with cultural awareness.
New Mexico and the broader Southwest are home to 23 federally recognized tribes. Albuquerque is home to one of the largest urban Native American populations in the United States, with approximately 46,857 residents identifying as American Indian or Alaska Native, either alone or in combination with another race, according to 2020 Census data. Indigenous people are among the Albuquerque Journal’s readers, sources and neighbors, IJA noted.
“They deserve the same care, accuracy and respect that every community should expect from its newspaper.”
