Black Ink and the New Red Power: Native American Newspapers and Tribal Sovereignty

Abstract

This research explores the relationship between Native American newspapers and tribal sovereignty. By means of a content analysis of more than a thousand environmental stories in four tribal newspapers in Wisconsin, interviews with Native American journalists, and discussions with Indian focus groups, the study examines the themes and values tribal journalists and their readers attach to sovereignty. The research suggests that Native newspapers are an important source of information about sovereignty for Native Americans. It also finds that cultural values and themes that reinforce sovereignty emerge from Native news reports about the environment.

The United States Government has a unique legal relationship with Native American tribal governments as set forth in the Constitution of the United States, treaties, statutes, and court decisions. As executive departments and agencies undertake activities affecting Native American tribal rights or trust resources, such activities should be implemented in a knowledgeable, sensitive manner respectful of tribal sovereignty … to ensure that the Federal Government operates within a government-to-government relationship with federally recognized Native American tribes.