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Introducing Tanasi Journal a Southeastern American Indian Newspaper

With help from the Appalachian Community Fund, Wisdom Keepers, Inc., a TN-based non-profit, launched the Tanasi Journal in September. Tanasi Journal is a paid subscription print newspaper with a primary focus on American Indians and Indian nations in or original to 12 southeastern states. Tanasi Journal is the only southeastern newspaper by and for American Indians with a multi-state regional focus.



In mid-September, Wisdom Keepers, Inc., released the first issue of Tanasi Journal. The first edition paper featured 24 pages of original stories, commentary, and other information. The issue was limited to 2,500 copies, 2,400 of which have been distributed, giving the new enterprise a potential readership of 7,200 for its debut.



Based on reader response and pre-release subscriptions, the staff of the paper is already gearing up for increased production. Wisdom Keepers, Inc., publishers and grant recipients for the project, are taking the paper to broadsheet format, printing 10,000 copies of the second issue, and have contracted an ad sales representative to help promote the paper and its mission.



The newspaper project, funded in part by a grant from the Appalachian Community Fund, was the small NPO'ss solution to a growing concern regarding mainstream media'ss lack of interest or negative handling of indigenous issues. Valerie Ohle, WKI chairman, is enthusiastic about the paper'ss potential. I'sve been able to monitor local distribution fairly closely. At least locally, we have a surprising number of mainstream readers in addition to American Indian readers. That'ss probably the most encouraging news. Our goal was to create a vehicle that could connect Indian people throughout the southeast and raise awareness about Indian issues from an Indian perspective. When you see copies of the paper walk away in the hands of the two groups you'sre trying to target, you know you'sre doing something right.



Ohle is also hopeful the paper will encourage southeastern American Indians to take an interest in journalism as a career. Just before we launched the first issue, the Native American Journalists Association announced a decline in the number of American Indian journalists. While it was discouraging to hear that, it isn'st surprising. Mainstream media tends to either overlook Indian news entirely, or only publish it from a negative perspective.



The paper'ss staff which includes Louis Gray, former managing editor of the Native Times, are volunteering their time and efforts to help achieve project goals. The staff currently numbers over 20, 5 of whom serve on the editorial board, and includes a team of junior (youth) writers ranging in age from 14 to 24.



We'sve kept the staff as diverse as the southeastern Indian communities, states Ohle. The staff includes both enrolled and unenrolled American Indians and American Indian descendants from 6 states and a variety of tribal affiliations.



Native individuals and youth interested in exploring staff positions can call 865-609-0574 or can visit www.tanasijournal.com for additional contact information.



WKI has set a goal for the project to be financially stable, supporting a paid staff, and publishing a weekly print edition within 3 years. Funders interested in helping the project reach its goal can contact Ohle directly, or request more information by sending an e-mail through the organization'ss website at www.wisdomkeepers.org.



Potential advertisers, subscribers, and distributors can obtain information online at www.tanasijournal.com by calling Ohle at 865.609.0574, or by writing to Tanasi Journal, c/o Wisdom Keepers, Inc., PO Box 20665, Knoxville TN 37940.

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