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NATIVE YOUTH MAGAZINE.COM – THE STORY
Native Youth Magazine.com, a year-old e-magazine that focuses on the talents and lifestyles of Native youth in the U.S. and Canada, has won three awards including a 1st Place Award for Best Website from the Native American Journalists Association among Native American websites, a 1st Place Award for Website Creation/Development from the Arizona Press Women’s Association and 3rd Place from the National Press Women’s Association in the same category among mainstream websites.
“I’m very proud of all the young people who have helped shaped this website. We’ve worked very hard together to produce a website Native youth can be proud of and one adults can use as a resource. Our numbers confirm people care about our young people and want to read about the good things they are doing,” said Mary Kim Titla, Publisher and San Carlos Apache tribal member.
NYM, created July 1, 2005, is now averaging more than 1100 visits a day. The e-magazine now includes audio and video streaming.The website features commentaries, profiles, headlines, photos and artwork submitted by Native youth. “This is an opportunity for Native youth to not only tell their own stories but it also allows them to explore the world of journalism,” added Titla.
NYM now has a new look. “’Chris Allen, Navajo, is a talented young Native website creator who came up with a new design after he solicited ideas from other Native youths. We simply outgrew our old site. The new site will offer more topics as well as sections for elders and adults who can share their words of wisdom and encouragement. We will also offer podcasting and blogging. It’s exciting to see it grow,” said Titla.
Much of the material posted on the website come from one-time and regular contributors. The website also includes general Native news. “Native youth are interested in news about Indian country,” said Titla.“This is a labor of love for my husband and I,” said Titla, who is paying for the business venture out-of-pocket. Titla and John Mosley, her husband and business partner, are now trying to focus their efforts on developing the bigger vision – a print magazine and a Native Youth Magazine TV show.
“It’s taking on a life of its own. We are responding to a need and a demand from Native youth for information through all mediums. Our young people are like sponges, they want to see, hear and read about what their peers are doing in Indian country,” said Titla. You can contact Mary Kim Titla at marykim@nativeyouthmagazine.com.
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