Skip to main content

At Indigenous Sacred Sites, Seeing Things I’m Not Supposed to See
—

Western journalism tends to value transparency as a public good. But as an Indigenous reporter, I face a unique set of challenges: Include too-specific cultural details, and I risk endangering my community.

propub.li/3zMkG9z

#News #Journalism #Indigenous #Culture #Community #Native #Transparency #Privacy #Storytelling #Language


How Do I Cover Sacred Sites as an Indigenous Journalist?

Western journalism values transparency as a public good. But for Indigenous reporters, including too-specific cultural details can harm Native communities.
ProPublica
#news #journalism #privacy #culture #Indigenous #native #language #Community #transparency #storytelling
in reply to ProPublica

Zhi Zhu 🕸️
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
• •

"My #editors ask what the features are used for. A variety of purposes, I say, thinking carefully — hunting, storage, cooking. I’m leaving information out...

Write one too-specific #article, & #tribal historic preservation officers might find themselves fighting off #NewAge gatherings of non-Natives appropriating #Indigenous #worship. Or worse: Western scientists destroying ancestral remains for anthropological “research.”"
- @ProPublica
propublica.org/article/indigen…

#History #Culture #News #Press

Text from article: I want the public to understand the importance of these places, and part of me wants to tell my editors everything. But if I do, and the information escapes, it will be on me. I’m Native, too, and I have to handle this information responsibly, without selling out my kin. In the Native world, we tend to view each other — and all living things — as relatives. At the same time, my tribe is not from here, and I’m still learning about the cultures I’m reporting on. Language that would bring the location vibrantly to life is right there in my mind, but I don’t feel right about using it. The most I seem to be able to tell my editors — speaking accurately and honestly while respecting cultural concerns — is that tribal leaders won’t share that information with me. I mention some rock features. My editors ask what the features are used for. A variety of purposes, I say, thinking carefully — hunting, storage, cooking. I’m leaving information out, but everything I say is true. Even mentioning the archaeological features could endanger them, putting them in the crosshairs of looters and vandals. Write one too-specific article, and tribal historic preservation officers might find themselves fighting off new age gatherings of non-Natives appropriating Indigenous worship. Or worse: Western scientists destroying ancestral remains for anthropological “research.”

How Do I Cover Sacred Sites as an Indigenous Journalist?

Western journalism values transparency as a public good. But for Indigenous reporters, including too-specific cultural details can harm Native communities.
ProPublica
#press #news #history #culture #Indigenous #editors #article #tribal #newage #worship @ProPublica
⇧