Anna V. Smith
JOURNALIST
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SELECT PAST WORK
Reclaiming the National Bison Range
After decades of battling misinformation, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes recover their lands and the herd.
The New York Times: Indigenous beadwork flourishes on Instagram,
Interest in Indigenous artistry has created an ecosystem of beadwork drops that sell out in minutes online.
Audubon: An Indigenous effort to return condors to the Northwest nears its goal
The Yurok Tribe will soon reintroduce North America's largest bird to northern California, where the raptor hasn't soared for a century.
Tribal leaders oppose online consultations with the U.S. during the pandemic
While tribes race to deal with COVID-19, federal agencies push important consultation meetings over Zoom.
When public lands become tribal lands again
A story of fire, stolen lands, and how hard it is to get the U.S. to follow its own laws.
The next Supreme Court pick could shape Indian law for decades
The highest court in the land holds legal power over tribal nations, but it lacks knowledge of tribal law.
How the Yurok Tribe is reclaiming the Klamath River
For the first time, the largest tribe in California has one of its own to lead its legal battles.
Revisiting Malheur, one year after the occupation
The wildlife refuge system is more vulnerable than ever.
Tribal nations fight for influence on the Colorado River
Indigenous nations in the basin are making a stand for their water — and upsetting the river’s power structure.
A tribal effort to save Upper Klamath Lake's endangered fish before they disappear
Another dry year pushes tribal nations, federal agencies and irrigators to find long-lasting solutions.
Slate: When nature speaks for itself
Karl Schroeder’s “The Suicide of Our Troubles” shows a near-future where pollution cleanup is profit, and lakes and slag piles have a seat at the table.
The Klamath River now has the legal rights of a person
A Yurok Tribe resolution allows cases to be brought on behalf of the river as a person in tribal court.
Casino closures in Indian Country hit core tribal services
Tribal government gaming is at a standstill, amounting to $4.4 billion in lost economic activity.
How do tribal nations’ treaties figure into climate change?
U.S. courts rarely favor environmental protections as a right — except for tribal treaty rights.
Former Bureau of Indian Affairs director engaged in abusive behavior, no action taken
Bryan Rice’s behavior at the BIA highlights a culture of harassment and inaction.
How the American's with Disabilities Act could affect Native voters
The relocation of polling sites near the Navajo Nation months before midterm elections raises concerns of future voter suppression.
SELECT APPEARANCES & AWARDS
PANEL
Covering Indigenous Communities and Biodiversity
Society of Environmental Journalists, April 2022
SEMINAR
Environmental Stories Within Indigenous Affairs: A Reporter's Perspective
Utah State University, April 2021
Best Feature Story
Native American Journalists Association
2020
Best Coverage of Native America
Native American Journalists Association
2018, 2019, 2020, 2022
Best Environmental Coverage
Native American Journalists Association
2019, 2020
ABOUT
Anna V. Smith writes and edits from Boulder, Colorado, as an associate editor for the High Country News Indigenous affairs desk. In 2022 she completed the Ted Scripps Fellowship at the Center for Environmental Journalism at CU Boulder. Her work has appeared in High Country News, the New York Times, Audubon, and Slate, and featured in investigative collaborations with ProPublica and Grist.
Anna speaks regularly on radio programs and at journalism conferences and university classes. She is a member of the Society of Environmental Journalists and an associate member of the Indigenous Journalists Association and the Uproot Project.
Anna is available as a sensitivity reader, freelance writer and editor, panelist and guest lecturer. For inquiries and rates please email annavtoriasmith[at]gmail.com
Photo by Sam Gehrke