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Journalism work challenging for Native Americans

Being separated from the crowd -- feeling misunderstood, disliked and alone -- creates an uncomfortable workplace environment for many minority journalists.

Rob McDonald, a cultures reporter at The Spokesman-Review in Spokane, Wash., said he feels isolated because few people relate to his Indian culture.

"One editor claimed he understood me because his parents were missionaries -- and then proceeded to accuse me of being an alcoholic," said McDonald, a member of the Salish and Kootenai tribes of Western Montana.  

Twelve years have passed since that exchange occurred during an internship early in McDonald's career.  Now, McDonald said he'd enlighten the editor more than he did at the time.

Beyond the minorities who struggle while feeling isolated in mainstream newsrooms, journalists working on Native newspapers face the dilemma of trying to be autonomous as a tribal-owned paper or be profitable as an independent publication.

Native newspapers struggle to serve niche audience

Minority journalists become lonely in mainstream