For Ak-Chin O’odham Runner Photojournalist’s Kristen Villegas and Robert Miguel and Graphic Design Artist Eliza Santiago, attending the Indigenous Media Conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico, was an opportunity to attend media sessions where experts shared information and experiences on the respective panels that were provided for attendees. Hosted by the Isleta Tribe of New Mexico, opening ceremonies began during a breakfast address, which featured a welcome from former Governor, Regis Pecos of the Cochiti Pueblo in New Mexico. During his welcome, Governor Pecos was able share the history of his tribe. Breakout sessions during the first day of the conference featured presenters who touched on topics that included; Indigenizing Food, Agriculture and Fisheries Reporting, Social Media, Research and Sovereignty, Covering Indigenous Environmental Justice and How to Sell Your News Pitch to Traditional Media. The first day also feature a live broadcast by Native American Calling, which had individuals being interviewed on topics pertaining to positives and negatives in Indian Country, the broadcast was well attended. One of the more interesting sessions, was on the recent cuts to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). The cuts obviously had an impact on Tribal Broadcasters, as a panel of Tribal media personalities gave their input on the negative impacts have done to their outlets. They also shared what they would like to see improved upon in the future as far as financial support. Runner staff were able to attend various sessions throughout the next couple of days, which was of interest; from Reporting on Missing & Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP), Land Back: What Journalists Need to Know, Narrative Audio Storytelling in Indian Country, and Visual Storytelling with Indigenous Communities; the sessions were well produced and very informative.
During an evening event, attendees were able to gather at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, where guest speakers and traditional dancers spoke and performed.
The visit allowed conference attendees to experience the authentic cultural and traditions of Albuquerque, one of the oldest cities in the United States and to see firsthand exhibits of the twenty three tribes who call New Mexico home. To end this year’s conference, an awards banquet was held to recognize media groups, organization and individuals for their work in 2025.
A big shout out to O’Odham Action News from the Salt River Community, as they were nominated and awarded the Elias Boudinot Free Press Award. Action News staffers, Juan “Johnny” Ysaguirre and Chris Picciuolo were in attendance, they are also former staffers for the Ak-Chin O’Odham Runner.
Following the awards dinner, “Gary Farmer and the Troublemakers” took to the stage with his rhythm & blues style sounds. Farmer, who is from Ohsweken, Canada is also an actor and starred in such acclaimed films as; “Powwow Highway”, “Smoke Signals”, and the television series “Reservation Dogs”.
He is also the second cousin of Indigenous actor, Graham Green, who recently passed on September 1, 2025, age 73.
The next Indigenous Media Conference is scheduled for Portland, Oregon in 2026!