Native American Media

Native American Public Telecommunications, Inc. P.O. Box 83111 Lincoln, NE 68501 http://www.nativetelecom.org American Indian Radio on Satellite (AIROS) http://www.airos.org Related Links In 1985, Nan was hired by the Native American Public Broadcasting Consortium, based on Lincoln Nebraska, to provide training and technical assistance in station management to a group of Native-controlled, public radio stations. From her base in Denver, she spent the next year traveling throughout the west, spending a week at a time at KERA in Bellecourt, North Dakota (Turtle Mountain Chippewa), Southern Ute’s KSUT in Colorado, KILI on Porcupine Butte, Lakota Nation, South Dakota, and a half-dozen other reservation-based stations. Many of these stations were struggling with common issues like governance, fundraising, program production and staff retention. But by being Native controlled, and serving largely rural and poor populations, they faced additional difficulties and issues particular to Native communities.

Nan Rubin dances at a Powwow photo: Susan Braine

In response to her observations and experiences, she drafted a report for NAPBC on the State of Native Radio. Presented to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and others, it outlined key issues facing Native stations, as well as their strengths and possibilities. It was immediately adopted by Native stations and other Native policy groups as an important study, and for more than a decade it served as the only reference available on Native radio stations in the United States.

Soon after, Nan was invited to join the Board of Directors of NAPBC, now known as Native American Public Telecommunications, Inc. and for the last ten years, she has been involved in supporting radio services, television productions, program distribution and telecommunications projects for, by and about Native Americans.

One of the major accomplishments of NAPB has been the creation of AIROS, the American Indian Radio on Satellite program service, where Nan serves as the only non-Indian Committee member. AIROS runs a 24-hour program service of Native music, public affairs and news for more than two dozen Native stations and other public radio broadcasters, using the public radio satellite service and the internet. Tune in to hear some of the best contemporary and traditional Native music and culture available anywhere! http://www.airos.org


AIROS flagship program is Native America Calling. Airing weekdays between 1:00 – 2:00 pm Eastern time from the studios of KUNM (link) in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Native America Calling is a live call-in program featuring guest and discussions on the hottest and most controversial topics in Indian County. You can call in to host Harlan McKosato on their 800 number, or email your questions and comments.

In addition to being active in radio, NAPT assist Native producers in developing and distributing program for public television, and acts itself as co-producer on larger projects. Over the years, the organization has supported many award-winning programs such as Trial of Standing Bear, Before Columbus, and In The White Man’s Image, as well as larger projects like the international collaboration Storytellers of the Pacific. Currently under development is a new television series, Native Americans in the 21st Century.

Other areas of NAPT activity include tribal interconnection projects, advocacy for telecommunications policy, training and networking for Native producers, and public education about Native involvement in electronic media. The organization also works closely with the other CPB-funded minority consortia and projects, with other Native media organizations and with other minority and ethnic media groups.



Related Links

List of tribal stations http://www.airos.org/stations/map.html

National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI)/Smithsonian Institution
Living Voices radio series http://www.si.edu/nmai

Native American Resource Center

National Black Programming Consortium http://nbpcinc.org/mainpage.htm

National Asian American Telecommunications Association http://www.naatanet.org

Pacific Islanders in Communications, Inc,

Independent Television Service (ITVS) http://www.itvs.org

Native American Journalists Association http://www.naja.org

Hidden Jews of New Mexico, Community Media Services, Community Activities

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