NT bags 24 awards at NAJA

Posted by Cindy Yurth | Jul 16, 2015 | News |

WASHINGTON, D.C.

It was a happy dilemma for the Navajo Times staffers who traveled to Washington, D.C. for the annual convention of the Native American Journalists Association last week … How to carry home the 24 plaques and certificates the newspaper racked up in the 2015 Native Media Awards?

Eventually the awards were divided between two staffers’ suitcases, and made it back to the Rez only slightly the worse for wear.

It was the biggest haul ever for the Times, and included the coveted General Excellence award, as well as Best Layout, seven awards for photography and 15 for writing. Even two former interns, the former editor, two Bilagáana reporters and the Times’ publisher won awards.

“It was a quite a nice feeling to hear our Navajo Times name called out over and over at the awards dinner. That was cool,” said Navajo Times Publisher Tom Arivso, who placed second in the Best Column category with a reflection on a former coach who had passed away. “What makes these NAJA awards so special is that it’s truly an honor to be recognized amongst your peers in Native journalism. These are our fellow Native journalists and good friends, and they know firsthand of the hard work you do and the serious issues and concerns that you face on a daily basis.”

As usual, the Times’ excellent photography stole the show, with Times photographer Donovan Quintero sweeping the feature photo category and placing first and second in both news and sports.

Last summer’s photo intern, Ravonelle Yazzie, nabbed first in feature and second in news in the contest’s student division.

“The photography awards are really a reflection of the Times’ commitment to photography and to covering the entire reservation,” Quintero said.

The Times’ sports section always impresses the judges, and this year was no exception. In addition to Quintero’s two wins in sports, the first two places in sports writing were gobbled up by Shiprock-based writer Sunnie Clahchischiligi, and Gallup-based reporter Oree Foster got third with an athlete profile.

“I’d like to thank my staff,” said Sports Editor Quentin Jodie, whose careful editing certainly contributed to the win. “We were able to produce a better product this year and it’s all because of them and their quality work.”

The Times news staff held its own, though, with each of the three full-time Navajo reporters winning at least two awards and reporters Bill Donovan and Cindy Yurth taking home second- and third-place certificates, respectively, in the “associate” (non-Native) division.

Former intern Shine Salt shone in the student division, reeling in second place in news for her on-the-spot reporting of a protest at a football game in Phoenix involving a certain East-Coast-based team with a controversial name.

In addition to Arviso’s second in column-writing, former Times editor Duane Beyal placed third with his reflections on a dialogue between himself and a truck driver who picked him up hitchhiking on Interstate 40.

Western Agency Reporter Krista Allen received a first-place plaque for her story “Monumental problems,” an intimate look at living inside a tribal park.

She also took third in feature writing for her story “Dawn of the Rez Zombie.”

Arts and Entertainment Reporter Shondiin Silversmith rated first in features with her sensitive, insider view of her hometown of Toyei, Ariz., now a ghost town being cannibalized for building materials.

Silversmith also racked up a third place in beat reporting, right behind her colleague Government Reporter Alastair Bitsoi, who took second by using his insider knowledge to cover the devastating Assayi Lake Fire near his hometown of Naschitti, N.M.

Bitsoi also claimed a third in news for one of his stories on the fire, and was right behind Allen in environmental reporting, taking second for his visit to the oil boom lands of Eastern Agency.

The layout award was due in no small part to the addition of graphic artist Olson Patterson to the staff. And if you like the Times’ new, bolder look, stay tuned for the first redesign in over a decade, which will be rolled out soon.

The contest received a record 530 entries this year, from all over the country.

“I am really proud of the entire Navajo Times staff and our carriers,” Arviso said. “These awards and accolades are earned and shared by all of us; it’s a true team effort. We also share these honors with our readers, advertisers and our Navajo people. Together, we have maintained the Navajo Times as the Number One newspaper in Indian Country.”