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The NATV Connection Prior to the late 1980's, information and promotion of Native American news, information, culture, and spirituality had been scant at best, and misleading at worst. Never had there been a consistent media avenue that featured the lives, dreams, and ambitions of the American Indian to the hearts and homes of all peoples. However, as time passed, advocates for the creation of more American Indian news outlets made great strides, apart from the typical "mainstream media" agencies, newspapers, cable and broadcast networks to honestly portray how American Indians live in today's world. These advances included the creation of regional, and/or tribal run media organizations. They carried the information torch by presenting news and issues from within their respective communities. Yet inherent obstacles prevented access for many to news and feature stories from other parts of the country, including those policy decisions made in the nation's capital.

One of those organizations, the non-profit, Washington, D.C. based, Native American Television, Inc. (NATV) was created in 1988 to promote the news, culture, and issues surrounding Native Americans in their everyday lives. Most importantly, this would be done with a Native American perspective. Although our primary audience was other Native Americans, NATV hoped that all television audiences would find cause to open their eyes, minds, and hearts to this nation's indigenous peoples. Since then, NATV has delivered the vital issues, on-going news, and poignant voices, of Native peoples back to Indian country via satellite, cable TV, and the Internet, etc. Our efforts to report the important national issues to Indian communities have helped tribal leaders and advocates with an outlet to learn about, and speak on, topics affecting Native Americans today. To strengthen its ability to report and broadcast national news of Native concerns, NATV established a presence at both the US Capitol and The White House, creating the first national Native American news bureau from these locations. This enables NATV greater access to lawmakers, governing bodies, and agencies that have influence over Indian policies in America. Also, our links to Washington, DC based organizations gives us the opportunity of meeting and interviewing national leaders, tribal chiefs and delegations when they arrive to testify before Congress on important matters affecting Native Americans. NATV has also assisted sovereign Indian Nations, tribes and organizations with their own media needs. During the last ten years, NATV has helped these entities with thorough and comprehensive production advice and service. These have included: The National Congress of American Indians The National Native American Veterans Association Indian Health Services The Peqout Indian Nation The Nez Perce The Navajo Nation In compliance with our charter, NATV actively seeks American Indians to serve on our crews in a creative and/or technical capacity. When NATV travels to distant locations, we recruit Native Americans from those respective communities to assist in the production. NATV is currently working on the development of important and groundbreaking projects that will help instill a better understanding of Native Peoples today. We plan to actively use this site to bring news reports or feature stories that impact Native communities. We also encourage Native American journalists to contribute articles or ideas to post on this site. NATV plans to accomplish this mission by utilizing all the modern technical advances available on the Internet including graphics, sound, and video. If there are any comments, questions or suggestions, please don't hesitate to contact NATV