Article by Dodie Manuel

Early last fall, the Native American Journalists Association released the names of the 2021 National Media Award winners. Native American and non-Native journalists from across the country submitted 730 entries in the categories of print, podcast, video and online journalism.

­­­COVID-19 changed many things last year, and the NAJA awards presentation was held virtually. O’odham Action News staff reporter Tasha Silverhorn placed first for Best Sports Story for her coverage of the Lady Warriors making it to the Elite 8 of the 6A state high school tournament. O’odham Action News staff reporter Chris Picciuolo placed first in TV-Best Coverage of Native America for coverage of the SRPMIC Cultural Repository beam signing.

The last 18 months has been challenging for everyone, and reporters everywhere have had to rethink how to gather information. Yet Tasha and Chris have continued to bring the news to the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. They worked with Community members and departments via Skype, telephone and sometimes in person (socially distanced) to help get important information out to the Community.

Congratulations Tasha and Chris on your latest achievements and your contributions to producing an outstanding Community newspaper. Thank you for what you do.

For more about the Native American Journalists Association, visit https://najanewsroom.com.

Professional Division I–Print/Online

Print/Online–Best Sports Story

First Place

Tasha Silverhorn

O’odham Action News

Lady Warriors Make It to the Elite 8 of the 6A State High School Tournament

“It means a lot being recognized
for the work I do, I think
this is the first year I placed first;
I have gotten second and third
place awards and that was awesome.
Acknowledgments like this
motivate me to do better and try
harder so I can write good articles
about my Community and for my
Community.” – Tasha

Associate Divisions I & II Combined Categories–TV

TV–Best Coverage of Native America

First Place

Chris Picciuolo

O’odham Action News

SRPMIC Cultural Repository Beam Signing

“I feel honored to be recognized
for the video news coverage of the
SRPMIC Cultural Repository beam
signing. This repository is an important
place for the Community, and
it is my goal to help the Community
tell their stories in the best way that
I can. To be awarded for this story
is very fulfilling and it drives me to
continue to work hard to make sure
the Community has an outlet to have
these stories told.” – Chris

Note: Congratulations to former OAN employees Jessica Joaquin and Marissa Johnson on their NAJA awards.