Mirror Shines Bright: 3 Awards for Captivating Arizona’s Indigenous Voices

Shondiin Silversmith and the Arizona Mirror have received three accolades from the Indigenous Journalists Association’s annual journalism contest.

Silversmith, who joined the Mirror in 2021 to cover Arizona’s Indigenous communities, was recognized on June 12 for her insightful reporting. Her work addressed the ongoing repercussions of the state’s sober living home fraud crisis, the obstacles Indigenous voters face at polling stations, and the impact of tribal culture on 2SLGBTQ+ individuals.

She secured first place for Best Editorial in the professional category, focusing on the challenges Navajo voters confronted during the 2024 elections. Silversmith dedicated nearly 10 hours and traveled over 250 miles to cover just ten polling locations, highlighting significant logistical difficulties.

“On average, the polling stations within the Navajo Nation are about 20 to 30 miles apart. Some residents may need to drive up to an hour just to vote,” she documented in her report.

In addition, Silversmith earned second place for Best Longform/Magazine Story, focusing on the impact of massive Medicaid fraud that affected tribal communities. Her work chronicled volunteers in Phoenix who sought out individuals displaced after abrupt closures of sober living homes due to fraud investigations.

“We’re going through genocide,” one activist remarked, underlining the severity of the crisis faced by those affected.

Lastly, she received another second place award for Best Two-Spirit Coverage, recognizing her reporting on Pride celebrations within various tribal communities across Arizona, from the expansive Navajo Nation to the smaller Hualapai Tribe.

“It’s heartening to see our people come together, celebrating pride and honoring those who contribute to our communities,” a celebrant from the Tohono O’odham Tribe expressed.

The Indigenous Journalists Association, established in 1983 as the Native American Press Association, is dedicated to empowering Native journalists. Its annual contest honors excellence in coverage of Indigenous issues and contributions affecting Native peoples.