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At the Crossroads

Tackling the state of the economy in Indian Country

Ten newsrooms came together to explore how to best represent and reach Indigenous communities facing generation-defining economic challenges in this series, an early example of the signature projects from the Rural News Network.

Read stories in the collaboration below.

IMPACT REPORT

At the Crossroads: ‘The first step in creating a viable media ecosystem for Indigenous communities’

Seven INN members and three tribal outlets used audience engagement and a new model of editorial leadership to produce a series on the state of the economy in rural Indian Country, building relationships in tribal communities.

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Working Together: Tribal partnerships bring regional jobs
Osage News April 7, 2022

The Osage Nation works with the Pawhuska and the county to develop new businesses and jobs.

Green Energy’s Environmental and Economic Balancing Act
Underscore April 7, 2022

A proposed lithium mine along the Nevada-Oregon border would produce materials for car batteries, but also damage ancestral lands.

Boom or Bust: Oil industry hits North Dakota
Buffalo’s Fire April 7, 2022

While some North Dakotans benefit from the state’s oil boom, Native-owned businesses say they are often cut out of lucrative contracts.

Tribes Look To Renewable Energy To Power Jobs Of The Future
InvestigateWest April 7, 2022

Dozens of tribes across the country look to harness energy from wind, sun and water to generate millions in revenue.

Work Penalties: Jobs can cost more than being unemployed
Rawhide Press April 6, 2022

Local policies encourage people to look for jobs off the Spokane Indian Reservation, but new programs are popping up to help.

‘Reservation worthy’ cattle operation expands tribal enterprise
Mvskoke Media April 6, 2022

Muscogee (Creek) Nation’s ranch and meat processing plant can generate jobs and food security for tribal citizens.

Money for abandoned uranium mine cleanup spurs questions about design, jobs
New Mexico In Depth April 5, 2022

About 1,000 jobs could be created over the next 10 years for every $1 billion spent on cleanup of uranium mines, but those jobs could…

Citizen Potawatomi Nation makes history in Oklahoma with new professional basketball team
KOSU April 5, 2022

Citizen Potawatomi Nation is investing in the first tribally owned sports team in Oklahoma as part of a partnership with the city of Shawnee.

Pandemic shock pushes Wisconsin tribes to diversify economy
Wisconsin Watch April 5, 2022

Wisconsin tribes look to other sources of revenue after the pandemic highlighted overreliance on casinos.

At the Crossroads: State of the Economy in Indian Country
Indian Country Today April 4, 2022

ICT and nine news partners examine the state of the economy in Indian Country, its impact on local communities.

The collaboration participants are INN members Indian Country TodayInvestigateWestBuffalo’s FireKOSUNew Mexico In DepthWisconsin Watch and Underscore. They are joined by the Rawhide PressMvskoke Media and Osage News. Seven participants are members of the Native American Journalists Association (NAJA), which provided guidance on the development of the collaboration.

This project was made possible through funding from the Walton Family Foundation.

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