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Minneapolis, MN - The Native American Journalists association is disappointed but not surprised by the decline of Native Americans working at mainstream newspapers. During its annual convention in Washington, D.C. this week, the American Society of Newspaper Editors released figures indicating a drop in journalists of color working for mainstream newspapers. The number of Native Americans fell from 292 in 2000 to 249 this year.

"The lack of Native American representation in the nation's newsrooms is not news to Indian country," said NAJA President, Mary Annette Pember. "The industry has never had a good record at hiring more Native Americans."

NAJA also disputes the survey's reported number of Native Americans employed at mainstream newspapers.

According to Pember, NAJA has concerns about ASNE's survey approach in identifying Native Americans in newsrooms. Mainstream newspapers rely on self-identification for those employees who claim Native American heritage, and not proof of tribal enrollment. "This means individuals who only have a family legend about a great, great Indian grandmother can be considered Native American by their potential newspaper employer. Therefore, clearly the number of Native Americans working for mainstream newspapers as reported in the ASNE survey is misleading. The number of Native people in the mainstream press is probably under 100", Pember said.

"Despite the decline of Native Americans in the industry", Pember said, "NAJA is committed to working with mainstream newspapers on ways to improve recruiting and retaining more Native people."

"We are encouraged by incoming ASNE President Tim McGuire's invitation to all the journalists of color association presidents to participate in a discussion to search for solutions to these issues. We look forward to meeting with ASNE in the coming months," Pember said.

Mark Anthony Rolo, interim Executive Director of NAJA, can be contactd by phone: 612-729-9244.