The Osage News received eight Indigenous Media Awards for its 2023 coverage from the Indigenous Journalists Association.
IJA, formerly known as the Native American Journalists Association, announced more than 200 awards recognizing outstanding coverage of Indigenous communities across Turtle Island on June 26. Winners received their award plaques during the IJA’s 2024 Indigenous Media Conference held July 25-27 in Oklahoma City.
Osage News editor Shannon Shaw Duty gave the keynote address at the conference’s opening night reception.

During the awards celebration on the final evening of the conference, Scott George and the Osage Tribal Singers sang their Oscar-nominated song “Wahzhazhe: A Song for My People.” The singers received a standing ovation and many emotional tributes about their contribution to Indian Country.


The annual news media competition recognizes excellence in reporting by Indigenous and non-Indigenous journalists from across the United States and Canada. This year, IJA received more than 800 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 comprises of Shaw Duty, Senior Reporter Benny Polacca, Reporter Chelsea Hicks, Photographer/ Multimedia Specialist Echo Reed, Columnist Ruby Hansen Murray and Graphic Designer Sherry Stinson.
“These awards are a testament to the continued hard work and dedication the Osage News has to the Osage people in providing valued coverage,” Shaw Duty said. “None of this would be possible without such a wonderful staff and support from our readers.”
The Osage News was also asked to join a cohort of Indigenous news organizations in the formation of the Indigenous News Alliance (INA), which has the goal of promoting Indigenous journalists and their networks around the world.

Osage News staff won awards in the following categories:
Professional Division II – Print / Online
Print / Online – Best News Story
Third Place
Shannon Shaw Duty
OU student wants university’s headright interest to further Osage educations
Osage News
Print / Online – Best Environmental Coverage
First Place
Shannon Shaw Duty
Federal legislation under review to create avenue for headright return
Osage News
Print / Online – Excellence in Beat Reporting
Third Place
Benny Polacca
Osage Nation Congress
Osage News
Professional Divisions I & II – Print / Online
Print / Online – General Excellence
Honorable Mention
Osage News
Print / Online – Best Layout
Third Place
Osage News
Print / Online – Best Column
First Place
Ruby Hansen Murray
‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ a missed opportunity
Osage News
Professional Division II & III – Print / Online
Print / Online – Best News Photo
Third Place
Echo Reed
BigHill Art Space blessing
Osage News
Honorable Mention
Echo Reed
‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ premieres in Los Angeles
Osage News