Native Americas, the hemispheric journal published by the Akwe:kon Press at Cornell University's American Indian Program, won seven national media awards, six of them for first place, at the 2000 Native American Journalist Association's (NAJA) annual awards ceremony held in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., in June. It marks the fifth year in a row that Native Americas received the top awards at the national convention of Native journalists. The magazine, published by Akwe:kon Press for more than five years, also has won numerous awards from Native nations and communities over its history.

"We are honored, always, when our peers in community-oriented Native journalism commend our work," said José Barreiro, editor-in-chief of Native Americas. "There are hundreds of Native American newspapers and magazines being published in North America."

Native Americas won first place in the general excellence -- magazine category for its insight into the indigenous worlds of the Americas, as it features concise, in-depth examinations of major events, trends and studies. The journal also won first place for best magazine layout and design and "general excellence -- best website" -- a first of its kind for the Akwe:kon Press. Barreiro attributed the recognition of the Native Americas web site,, to the achievement of production manager Brendan White. For sharpness of content and management of an impressive contributors' network, Barreiro congratulated the work of managing editor Leslie Logan.

"After 16 years, the Akwe:kon Press has a solid, experienced staff," said John Mohawk, a member of Akwe:kon's editorial board, whose article "The Iroquois Land Claims: A Promise of Fairness," published in the spring 2000 issue, won first place as the best historical perspective of indigenous people. "Barreiro has a way of wringing the best out of his writers," Mohawk said. "Native Americas is always a must read for many of us."

Mohawk, a professor of American Studies at SUNY Buffalo, was a major early chronicler of the Indian movement. He was an editor, along with Barreiro, of the path-breaking Indian newspaper, Akwesasne Notes, from 1972 to 1984.

"Indian journalism has matured," Mohawk said. "It gets better and better as times require more and more sophistication. The work of the Akwe:kon Press has been the leading edge in all of that, instructive and with a sense of the discovery for the possibilities of the craft. Native Americas has been the crowning touch."

Native Americas frequent contributor Bill Weinberg took first place for best feature by a non-Native writer for his article "The Volcano Erupts: Indigenous Mexico, NAFTA and U.S. National Security in the 21st Century." Published in the spring 2000 issue of the journal, Weinberg's article reports on the explosive situation developing south of the border as Native groups take up resistance against the Mexican state.

Two writers received awards for their contributions to the special double issue on global warming published in January with grant assistance from NASA.

Valerie Taliman (Navajo) won first place in best news/feature writing for her article "Reading the Clouds: Native Perspectives on Southwestern Environment." Taliman's piece explores the environmental climate-induced changes that are of growing concern to both Native American leaders, their communities and NASA scientists. Alexander Ewen (Purepecha) received honorable mention for his piece "Consensus Denied: Holy War Over Global Warming," which provides a detailed report on big industry's attempt to discredit scientific analysis and facts relating to climate change and global warming.