When Youth Find Their Voice, Communities Grow Stronger
Opportunity Editorial by Loris Taylor
At a recent youth journalism seminar for the Hualapai Nation, young people gathered to learn about journalism, broadcasting, civic participation, and the First Amendment. The event offered more than an introduction to media careers. It gave Hualapai youth an opportunity to recognize the value of their voices and the responsibility that comes with using them.
In his keynote address, Hualapai Nation Chairman Duane Clarke reminded young participants that leadership does not begin at some distant point in adulthood. It begins when young people become curious about their community, ask thoughtful questions, listen to others, and speak out about the issues that affect their lives.
"You are the leaders. You are our future. I am so excited about what tomorrow is going to bring for each and every one of you,” the Chairman told them.
That message is especially important today. Young people receive information from social media, online videos, podcasts, radio, television, family members, friends, and countless other sources. The ability to distinguish reliable information from rumor, opinion, manipulation, and misinformation has become an essential life skill.
Journalism education helps young people develop that ability. It teaches them to verify information, examine evidence, seek multiple perspectives, provide context, and correct mistakes. It also teaches them to listen, one of the most important yet often overlooked responsibilities of a journalist.
For Native youth, journalism holds additional significance. For generations, stories about Tribal Nations have too often been told by people outside the communities they describe. Those stories may overlook Native perspectives, misunderstand Tribal governments, repeat stereotypes, or ignore the strengths and accomplishments of Native people.
A healthy community depends on people having access to reliable information. Community members need to know what their leaders are deciding, how public resources are being used, what opportunities are available, and how proposed actions may affect their families. Journalism is directly connected to civic health.
When Hualapai youth learn journalism, they gain the skills to tell their own stories. They can document elders' experiences, report on Tribal government, celebrate community achievements, preserve language and culture, cover issues affecting young people, and ensure Hualapai perspectives are represented accurately.
Not every young person at the event will choose a career in journalism, but every participant can benefit from learning how journalism works. Whether they become broadcasters, police officers, educators, health professionals, elected leaders, artists, business owners, or engaged community members, they will need to evaluate information, communicate clearly, understand their rights, and participate thoughtfully in civic life throughout their lives.
The KWLP radio club, youth councils, school publications, podcasts, video projects, and community reporting assignments can provide young people with meaningful ways to practice leadership.
Chairman Clarke’s personal journey into radio demonstrated what encouragement and persistence can achieve. As a young person, he listened to broadcasters, contacted media professionals for opportunities, recorded himself, found mentors, and continued in media despite being shy and hearing that he might not succeed. An initial weekend radio shift eventually led to a larger on-air radio personality and greater responsibilities.
His story offered the youth a second message worth remembering:
“Whatever your dream is, dream big, because dreams honestly do come true. If I could do it, you can do it.”
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The KWLP 100.9 Youth Journalism and Broadcasting Seminar was sponsored by the Arizona Media Association. The panelists included Loris Taylor, Native Public Media; Rudy Rivas, the Arizona Media Association; Antonia Gonzales, Journalist and Podcaster; Gabriel Pietrorizio, KJZZ; Chelsea Curtis, AZ Luminaria; and many others.
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