SDSU senior selected for Native American Journalism Fellowship

South Dakota State University senior Brooke Burnette has taken a major step toward her dream of becoming a storyteller and advocate for Indigenous communities. 

The journalism and American Indian and Indigenous studies double major from Mission, South Dakota, was selected for a prestigious Native American Journalism Fellowship through the Indigenous Journalists Association. The fellowship connects students with leading professionals in Native media and helps them deepen their skills in multimedia storytelling. 

Formed in 1983, the Indigenous Journalists Association works to enrich journalism and promote Native cultures. Its mission includes providing tools and programs to increase Native journalist representation in the mainstream media. 

The fellowship is offered to Indigenous, American Indian, Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian, First Nations and Métis undergraduate and graduate students pursuing degrees in media. Learning directly from tribal journalists and media industry experts, students broaden their multimedia reporting skills through firsthand experience. 

Burnette, a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, said the fellowship combined her passion for American Indian history with storytelling and journalism. After submitting her application in January, she completed an interview process to be considered. 

Upon notification that she had been selected, her first call was to her parents. “My immediate reaction was joy,” Burnette recalled. “My family knew I had been working on this for a while, so I could not wait to share the news with them.” 

Student fellows completed a virtual curriculum from April 1-July 1, with official fellowship training June 2-25. Paired with a mentor based on interests and experience, fellows worked on a comprehensive project under the guidance of their mentors. 

After completion of the fellowship, Burnette attended the Indigenous Media Conference Aug. 13-15 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where fellows presented their projects. 

Burnette’s project was centered around the Lakota Immersion School in Mission. 

After interviewing the school’s founder, Burnette also spoke with Erin Griffin, assistant professor of Dakota, Lakota, Nakota and American Indian studies at SDSU, as well as community elders who are teaching the next generation of Lakota speakers. 

“This was a rewarding experience because I was reporting in my community,” Burnette explained. “Growing up, it felt like the news never reported on anything on my reservation, so I was grateful to be able to.” 

Jamie Folsom, assistant professor of American Indian studies, said Burnette is an exceptional student. “She is diligent, respectful, communicates well and takes on leadership roles with confidence,” Folsom said. “But what makes her truly stand out is her love for her community and wanting to learn things that might help her return to live and contribute to Rosebud.” 

As a senior getting prepared to enter the workforce, Burnette is grateful for the fellowship opportunity. 

“Overall, I learned how to grow professionally,” she said. “I met people I never thought I would meet, gained new travel experiences and explored a story on my own home reservation. I am so grateful because none of this would have been possible without this fellowship!” 

“This fellowship is a tremendous investment in the future of our communities, since good journalism is the heart of community health and sustainability,” Folsom said. “Supporting the next generation of Indigenous journalists will help increase our voices in the wider society, telling our own stories.”