Reporting on stories and issues impacting Native Nations and Indian Country often gets a critical piece wrong: the law. From tribal sovereignty and complex jurisdictional issues to water rights and child welfare, many of the issues affecting Native communities are rooted in legal frameworks that are frequently misunderstood or underreported because of those complexities.
A new partnership between Berkeley Law’s Center for Indigenous Law & Justice and the Indigenous Journalists Association aims to change that. Formalized through a newly signed memorandum of understanding, the collaboration will equip journalists with the legal knowledge and culturally informed practices necessary to cover Native Nations with greater accuracy and context.
Across Indian Country, issues such as Missing and Murdered Indigenous People, tribal jurisdiction, gaming, natural resource protection, and child welfare demand informed, accurate, and sustained national attention. Yet, coverage often lacks the legal grounding needed to explain how these complex frameworks operate in Indian Country—and why they matter.
The partnership will focus on practical training and engagement for journalists covering Native Nations.
Planned efforts include:
• training sessions on federal Indian law, tribal sovereignty, and jurisdiction
• guidance on reporting in and with Native Nations and tribal communities
• webinars, workshops, and conference programming
• convenings that bring together journalists, legal scholars, tribal leaders, and practitioners
• co-developed resources to support accurate, informed coverage
These efforts are designed to strengthen understanding of the legal and community dynamics shaping Indian Country and improve the accuracy of national reporting.
“This partnership recognizes the role journalists play in shaping public understanding of Native Nations and tribal sovereignty,” said Merri Lopez-Keifer, executive director of the Center for Indigenous Law & Justice. “Working together, we can help ensure coverage is grounded in legal accuracy, cultural respect, and a clearer understanding of tribal governance.”
“Journalists need clear, accurate information about federal Indian law and tribal systems,” said Rebecca Landsberry-Baker, executive director of the Indigenous Journalists Association. “This partnership helps meet that need while centering Indigenous perspectives and community-informed practices.”
The collaboration builds on prior work between the organizations, including a joint webinar in November 2025 that introduced journalists to federal Indian law. The program drew national participation and coverage by the Poynter Institute, underscoring demand for accessible legal training for reporters covering Indigenous issues.
Under the agreement, Berkeley Law’s Center for Indigenous Law & Justice will provide subject-matter expertise and support curriculum development. The Indigenous Journalists Association will lead outreach to journalists and media organizations and support program delivery. Planned offerings include webinars, workshops, conference sessions, and co-developed resources.
