From the Founder. On Friday, Feb. 14, Native News Online turned 14.
Reflecting on the day it all began in 2011 with "The Longest Walk - Reversing Diabetes," I never imagined this publication would grow as it has. Our growth has been driven by consistent publishing of Native-centered stories and a steadfast commitment to protecting the rights and sovereignty of tribal nations.
Over the past 14 years, several key stories have helped shape Native News Online, including coverage of the Standing Rock resistance to the Dakota Access Pipeline, the COVID-19 pandemic, Indian boarding schools, the repatriation of our ancestors, and the Native vote. Each of these topics has generated hundreds of articles.
While we acknowledged our 14th anniversary, we didn't have time for a party—or even a slice of cake—because our newsroom was busy covering the second Trump administration and the various executive orders and directives that could be harmful to Indian Country.
At NCAI’s "State of the Tribal Nations" program in Washington, D.C., earler this week, there was tremendous apprehension about how the second term of President Donald Trump has treated tribal nations.
One speaker said the confusion generated from the executive orders and directives from the White House began with uncertainty and turned into fear.
As we embark on our 15th year of reporting on Indian Country, we know Warrior Journalism is needed as we defend tribal sovereignty in this time of uncertainty. Like the warriors of old who protected our communities and way of life, today's Native journalists must stand guard through truth-telling and fearless reporting. This is why we call it Warrior Journalism - because defending tribal sovereignty requires both courage and dedication to truth.
We remain committed to being warriors in the fight against injustice and in defense of tribal sovereignty.
Levi Rickert
Founder, Publisher & Editor
Thayék gde nwéndëmen - We are all related.
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Help us tell the stories that could save Native languages and food traditions
At a critical moment for Indian Country, Native News Online is embarking on our most ambitious reporting project yet: "Cultivating Culture," a three-year investigation into two forces shaping Native community survival—food sovereignty and language revitalization.
The devastating impact of COVID-19 accelerated the loss of Native elders and with them, irreplaceable cultural knowledge. Yet across tribal communities, innovative leaders are fighting back, reclaiming traditional food systems and breathing new life into Native languages. These aren't just cultural preservation efforts—they're powerful pathways to community health, healing, and resilience.
Our dedicated reporting team will spend three years documenting these stories through on-the-ground reporting in 18 tribal communities, producing over 200 in-depth stories, 18 podcast episodes, and multimedia content that amplifies Indigenous voices. We'll show policymakers, funders, and allies how cultural restoration directly impacts physical and mental wellness while celebrating successful models of sovereignty and self-determination.
This isn't corporate media parachuting into Indian Country for a quick story. This is sustained, relationship-based journalism by Native reporters who understand these communities. It's "Warrior Journalism"—fearless reporting that serves the 5.5 million readers who depend on us for news that mainstream media often ignores.
We need your help right now. While we've secured partial funding, we're still $450,000 short of our three-year budget. Our immediate goal is $25,000 this month to keep this critical work moving forward—funding reporter salaries, travel to remote communities, photography, and the deep reporting these stories deserve.
Every dollar directly supports Indigenous journalists telling Indigenous stories. Whether it's $5 or $50, your contribution ensures these vital narratives of resilience, innovation, and hope don't disappear into silence.
The stakes couldn't be higher. Native languages are being lost at an alarming rate. Food insecurity plagues many tribal communities. But solutions are emerging, and these stories need to be told.
Support independent Native journalism. Fund the stories that matter.
Levi Rickert (Potawatomi), Editor & Publisher
