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  Native Broadcast Summit

June 22-24, 2026 • Talking Stick Resort, Scottsdale, AZ 

Tuesday, June 23

9:00 - 9:30 a.m.               Keynote Speaker 

Kim Covington, Arizona Community Foundation Vice President of Strategic Partnerships

Voices That Endure: Grounded in Sovereignty, Built Through Trust

This keynote explores the power of trust, storytelling, and long-term partnership in strengthening Tribal media sustainability. Attendees will hear how relationship-based philanthropy and community-centered journalism help Indigenous voices endure while supporting rapid response, sovereignty, and resilient communication systems.

​​9:45 -11:00 a.m.              Plenary Session

FCC Update – License Renewals, Underwriting, Political Broadcasting, and More

This session provides broadcasters with practical updates on FCC policy changes, license renewals, underwriting requirements, and political broadcasting rules. Participants will gain a clearer understanding of regulatory expectations and compliance strategies affecting Tribal radio and television stations.​​

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11:15 - 12:30 p.m.           SESSION 1: EAS Readiness and IPAWS Alerting Authority

Brian Wadsworth, Chief Operating Officer, Native Public Media
Kyler Edsitty, Program Coordinator, Native Public Media

This presentation explains Emergency Alert System compliance requirements and introduces the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System. Participants will learn how Tribes can strengthen emergency communications, improve alert readiness, and take greater ownership of community-based public safety alerting capabilities.

SESSION 2: Grant Writing Made Simpler

Terri Hutchens, Consultant and Trainer
This workshop offers straightforward strategies for identifying grant opportunities, organizing proposal materials, and reducing the stress often associated with grant writing. Participants will gain practical tools to improve funding applications and strengthen financial sustainability during challenging funding environments.

1:30 - 2:45 p.m.              SESSION 3: A Centralized Media Hub for Digital                                                                Engagement in Your Community

Frank Blanquet, Producer/Director, FNX

Sahar Khadjenoury, Producer, FNX

Manuel Saucedo, Director of Development, FNX

This presentation focuses on adapting to a digital world by meeting audiences across multiple platforms, including traditional over-the-air broadcasts, digital distribution, social media strategy, and digital monetization methods like underwriting and commercial ads. 

                                         SESSION 4: Connecting Native Radio for Cultural Exchange                                             and Collaboration

Chris Bedeau, Station Manager, KOJB Radio
This session explores how Tribal radio stations can strengthen cultural exchange, encourage collaborative programming, and support intertribal communication while respecting sovereignty, traditions, and community-centered storytelling practices. 

3:00 - 4:15 p.m.               SESSION 5: Start Here: A Practical Fundraising Framework                                               for Indian Country Media

Alice Ferris, Partner, GoalBusters

Jim Anderson, Partner, GoalBusters

This session offers a practical framework for Tribal and Indigenous broadcasters to assess fundraising strengths, identify gaps, and choose realistic funding strategies. Based on Native media experience and a recent station assessment, it focuses on low-barrier ways to build sustainable local support and provides a self-assessment tool to help stations decide where to start.

SESSION 6: Partnerships Are Stronger Together

Alyse Marietta, Executive Director, Gila River Broadcasting Corporation
This discussion highlights how collaborative partnerships expand media resources, increase audience engagement, and strengthen community impact. Panelists will share lessons learned from working across organizations to advance Indigenous storytelling, educational outreach, and sustainable broadcasting initiatives.

Wednesday, June 24

8:40 - 9:45 a.m.             SESSION 2: Tapping Foundation Support: A Step-by-                                               Step Workshop

Steve Holmes, Managing Director, Public Media Company
This workshop introduces practical approaches for identifying foundation funding opportunities, using AI-powered grant research tools, and developing stronger proposals. Participants will gain step-by-step guidance designed to increase grant readiness and expand long-term funding opportunities for Tribal stations.

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10:00 -11:00 a.m.          SESSION 3: Updates from the FCC Media Bureau and                                             the Office of Native Affairs and Policy

Bambi Kraus, Chief of the Office of Native Affairs and Policy, Federal Communications Commission

Alexander Sanjenis, Acting Chief of the Media Bureau, Federal Communications Commission

FCC representatives will provide updates on current FCC priorities in the areas of broadcasting, public safety and consumer protection, including upcoming broadcast licensing opportunities, modernizing alerting systems, fighting illegal robocalls, and supporting the “Never EVER” Campaign targeting impostor scams. Representatives will also discuss upcoming NCE FM Translator Window, FM Auction, and license renewal cycle for all TV and radio stations.

11:15 - 12:15 p.m.         PLENARY: Strengthening Tribal Information Resiliency

Phuong Kim Bui, Product Coach, Listening Post Collective

Staci Kaye, Program Director, KUYI Hopi Radio

Sue Matters, Station Manager, KWSO Radio
This hybrid panel and workshop share lessons learned from collaborative audience engagement initiatives involving Tribal radio stations and national partners. Participants will explore practical methods for gathering community feedback and developing projects that strengthen local information ecosystems and public trust.​​

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Keynote Speaker

Kim Covington is Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at the Arizona Community Foundation (ACF), where she leads statewide efforts to build partnerships with corporations, foundations, Tribal nations, government agencies, nonprofits, and community leaders to advance solutions in education, housing, environmental resilience, and economic opportunity.

 

Previously, she served as ACF’s Vice President of Community Initiatives, where she helped grow the foundation’s nationally recognized network of Giving Circles, including the Arizona Indigenous Philanthropy Circle—an effort grounded in trust-based philanthropy and community leadership.

Before entering philanthropy, Covington spent more than three decades as an award-winning television journalist, including her role as a news anchor and School Solutions Reporter at KPNX 12 News in Phoenix. A four-time Emmy Award winner, and the 2025 Arizona American Indian Excellence in Leadership “Friend of Community” Award among other recognitions that demonstrate her legacy amplifying community voices and stories often overlooked by mainstream media.


Covington serves on several national and local boards and is widely recognized for her commitment to community partnership, storytelling, and civic leadership across Arizona.

Presenting Sponsor

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STRENGTHENING ARIZONA

In the tradition of community foundations across the country, the Arizona Community Foundation (ACF) is a bridge between generous donors and the nonprofit organizations that support the Arizona communities. They encourage connections, share knowledge, and inspire one another to give in meaningful and impactful ways.

ACF FOCUS AREAS

ACF and its donors will continue to support their philanthropic areas—arts & culture, community improvement & development, quality education, health innovations, and environment & sustainability —while creating collaborative ventures that will guide their impact in three key areas of focus.

Education | Environment | Housing

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