Local boy makes good?

A timid student becomes an Indigenous website publisher.

Aaniin! On this, the last day of our second month, we send a big miigwetch (thank you) out to Win Awenen Nisitotung, our hometown tribal newspaper that serves the nearly 50,000 citizens of the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians, for their recent shout out and roundup of our early progress. What an honor to be featured in the same issue as our hometown hockey hero, Olympic champion Taffy Abel who is highlighted on the front page. And alongside Sault Ste. Marie’s very own 2022 Olympic tribal hockey champion Abby Roque, too. Must be something in the water up there. (It’s ice.)

Tribal newspapers are important sources of information, politics, policy and community building for Indigenous people throughout the globe, and their existence is overwhelmingly overlooked by mainstream media, at least in the U.S. Many people don’t know they even exist. They do, and they matter. Most every tribe has some sort of communications and/or journalism department — some bigger, some smaller, some more independent, some less so — but all are trying to serve their people.

Like many tribal newspapers, Win Awenen Nisitotung has a rich history:

Tribal elders named the Sault Tribe’s newspaper, now in its 37th year, Win Awenen Nisitotung, which means “One Who Understands.” Its role is to inform and educate tribal members and the public about Sault Tribe and important local, state and national issues that could affect the tribe or its members. But more than that, it brings tribal members news about their families and community.

The newspaper is published once each month and is mailed directly to our elders and each tribal household requesting it. Paid subscriptions for the print edition are available to non-members and the digital edition is available here at no charge.

Indigenous Wire encourages everyone — tribal and non-tribal citizens alike — to subscribe to Win Awenen Nisitotung. Subscription info here.

As always, thank you for being here for Indigenous Wire, too, continuing to contribute to this Native-owned publication — whether it be through a paid or free subscription, comments, tips or encouragement. All is appreciated.

Now let’s see what trouble this local boy can get into this coming month.