By Linda Silvas

In 1974 the Native Americans were at the bottom of the economic ladder. They realized that something had to be done if they wanted to improve the situation. The Native American population realized they needed a medium where they could enrich their culture through the promotion of cultural awareness, employment, social services referrals, communications, and business enterprise development.

The need was filled when the Native Indian Historical Society created a program called Native American Media. Native American Media responsibility was and still is to aid in the creation of situations that will unite employers and job seekers, improving the Native American’s economic situation. Native American Media has also been able to successfully promote diversity initiatives and minority outreach programs. Since its conception Native American Media has been so successful it has gained the attention of media moguls like the Wall Street Journal and ABC Television Network. Native American Media has been instrumental in the inclusion of the Native American community in several outreach programs.

Today Native American Media provides a range of services including; non-professional employment referrals, advertising exposure, cultural awareness, recruiting for college, and supplier diversity outreach.

There are several Native American organizations, including AIROS (All Indian Internet Radio) that have strong links to Native American Media. AIROS works to use the internet to unite the Native American culture. AIROS was created in 1992 and currently has its headquarters in Lincoln Nebraska. AIROS uses itself to provide the Native American culture with interviews, current issues that have an impact on the culture, Native American music, interviews, and news.

Many of AIROS’s listeners have been able to listen to the radio station through MySpace, all they have to do is include AIROS as one of their friends and they have a quick and simple way to connect to the station. In addition to connecting to AIROS via MySpace, listeners can enjoy a podcast, or connect directly to AIROS website and stream the station. AIROS is always accepting donations to help keep it on the air, where it can continue to be a part of the Native American Media Community. IN addition to being available online AIROS can also be listened to on Sirius and XM.

Is a radio station that not only has ties to the Native American culture but also to the Canadian Indians is CKON-FM. When listening to CKON-FM listeners find themselves enjoying a wide variety of music ranging from contemporary country, to golden oldies, to modern contemporary music. The call letters, CKON, are pronounced sekon, which in the language of the Mohawk means hello.

A second organization with strong ties to Native American Media is a business called NATV (Native American Television). NATV is similar to AIROS because it provides it’s viewers with news, current issues, interviews, and cultural information, and education. NATV is a non-profit organization that relies on sponsorships and donations for survival. The NATV headquarters are currently located in Washington D.C. In addition to its official website NATV also has a page on MySpace.

It is important to remember that the Native American Media is a non-profit organization. IN order to continue to do its good work it needs a consistent flow of money from outside sources to cover its operating expenses. Native American Media relies mostly on advertising fees and memberships to keep it going. When asked to assist in a special project, Native American Media will often charge a retainer to help cover expenses.

It’s been over thirty years since the Native American Media was organized. While it has been instrumental in improving the Native American’s economic situation, it is still needed to help bring about a change in preserving the Native American culture by encouraging business enterprise development, employment, communications, and the education of the Native American community.