NAJA will determine the date and time that programs are presented Sept. 13-16, 2020. Producers whose programs are accepted will have the opportunity to indicate preferred dates and times, but should prepare programs that could be presented on any of the conference’s three days.

NAJA seeks program proposals that are informative, educational and training-based. The primary focus of the 2020 National Native Media Conference is to be an educational, skills-building, career-oriented conference. Conference planners seek sessions led by Indigenous journalists teaching in-depth skills and sharing new insights on media in Indian Country. Proposals that explore data of Native American populations are also encouraged.

NAJA volunteers and staff on the programming committee review program proposals based on originality, relevance, program design, learning objectives, knowledge and experience/qualifications of trainers, and variety of programming overall. Thorough proposals with as much detailed information as possible will stand a better chance of being accepted. NAJA may also consider proposals with regional focus for additional programming throughout the year.

If you would like to be involved in the selection process by joining the conference planning committee, please contact Chair Francine Compton by email at: fcompton@aptn.ca.

Please do not submit a program proposal if you cannot fulfill the following duties of program producer. If accepted onto the conference program, the person submitting the proposal (the producer):
— Does not have to be a speaker/presenter at the conference (but they can be).
— Agrees to serve as the liaison between NAJA staff and volunteers and all session participants.
— Is responsible for selecting, notifying and communicating with all program speakers / presenters on the panel or workshop and immediately reporting any changes in speaker lineup to NAJA staff.
— Will be responsible for the execution of the session, in coordination with NAJA staff.
— Will work with NAJA staff to ensure all speakers associated with the session are registered for the conference by the deadlines given by staff (see speaker expenses below).
— Acknowledges that the failure to respond in a timely manner (3 business days) to NAJA program committee or staff communications regarding the proposed program may result in the forfeiture or replacement of the program.

NAJA is not able to provide honoraria for presenters at the conference. Speakers are responsible for all their own travel and lodging expenses, in addition to applicable conference registration fees. The only exception to the registration fee is a speaker who is attending their program only. A one-day speaker registration is complimentary and no meals are included.

The deadline to submit proposals is March 31, 2020. After the proposal review process is complete, notifications will be sent via email for both accepted and declined proposals.