The annual competition recognizes excellence in reporting by Indigenous and non-Indigenous journalists from across the U.S. and Canada. This year, NAJA received more than 750 entries
The Native American Journalists Association has awarded Osage News with 14 awards for its 2021 coverage. Winners were announced July 19.NAJA will present more than 200 awards at this year’s awards banquet Aug. 27 as part of the 2022 National Native Media Conference Aug. 25-27, 2022 at the Hyatt Regency Phoenix.The annual competition recognizes excellence in reporting by Indigenous and non-Indigenous journalists from across the U.S. and Canada. This year, NAJA received more than 750 entries across the following categories:

  • Student Division
  • Associate Division I – (Circulation below 5,000)
  • Associate Division II – (Circulation 5,000 – 10,000)
  • Associate Division III – (Circulation above 10,000)
  • Professional Division I – (Circulation below 5,000)
  • Professional Division II – (Circulation 5,000 – 10,000)
  • Professional Division III – (Circulation above 10,000)

The Osage News team currently consists of Editor Shannon Shaw Duty, Senior Reporter Benny Polacca, Reporter Louise Red Corn, Reporter Natasha Lovato, Columnist Ruby Hansen Murray and Graphic Designer Sherry Stinson.“This is bittersweet for us because five of our colleagues on this winners list left us this year for great opportunities at bigger publications and one TV station,” Shaw Duty said. “But it just goes to show that the journalism being produced for the Osage people is quality journalism, produced by individuals who are passionate about their work and serving our community.”The Osage News competes in Professional Division II, which contains some of the best tribally owned publications in the state of Oklahoma and Indian Country. Other publications competing in Division II are the Cherokee Phoenix, Mvskoke Media, Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribal Tribune, Confederated Umatilla Journal, Winds of Change Magazine, Mountain West News Bureau and more.

Below is a list of the awards received by the Osage News staff:
Professional Division II – Print / Online

Second Place

Shannon Shaw DutyDr. Ricco Wright apologizes to Osage Nation and takes down Reign of Terror-themed exhibit

Osage News

Print / Online – Best News Photo

First Place

Shannon Shaw DutyA house blew up in Fairfax

Osage News

Second Place

Cody HammerHeritage Trail Opens

Osage News

Third PlaceCody Hammer

May Day Parade Queens

Osage News
Print / Online – Best Feature StoryFirst Place

Shannon Shaw DutyLily Gladstone will play Mollie Burkhart in upcoming Scorsese film, ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’Osage News

Print / Online – Best Feature Photo

First Place

Cody Hammer

International Indian Relay Champions – a young rider practicesOsage NewsSecond PlaceCody HammerPaying for the Drum Osage News

Third Place Cody Hammer

International Indian Relay Championships Osage News

Print / Online – Best Sports StoryFirst Place

Shannon Shaw Duty

Lynn Star McGuire Holloway inducted into INFR Hall of Fame

Osage News

Print / Online – Best Health Coverage

Second Place

Benny Polacca

Dr. Shaw delivers town hall update on vaccine efforts

Osage News


Print / Online – Best Editorial

First Place

Ruby Hansen Murray

Seeing ourselves on screenOsage NewsSecond Place

Ruby Hansen MurrayCelebrating representation – and greasy frybread

Osage News

Print / Online – Best LayoutThird PlaceSherry Stinson Osage News

Print / Online – General Excellence

Second Place

Shannon Shaw Duty, Benny Polacca, Cody Hammer, Lenzy Krehbiel-Burton, Ruby Hansen Murray, Sherry Stinson, Abigail Mashunkashey, Natasha Lovato, Jessica Brent, Kennedy Sepulvado

Osage News