Smoke Signals wins three awards from the Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association

By Danielle Harrison

Smoke Signals editor

Smoke Signals received three awards – two firsts and a second – during the 138th annual Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association Summer Convention held Friday, July 18, at Boulder Falls Center in Lebanon.

The awards in the Associate Member category were given for work published in 2024.

Smoke Signals Graphic Designer Samuel Briggs III received a second-place award in the design category for his Contest Powwow ad. Page Designer Justin Phillips took second place in the page design category for the Feb. 1, Aug. 1 and Nov. 1 editions of the newspaper.   

Lastly, Smoke Signals garnered a first-place award in the coveted Target Audience/General Excellence category.

“I’m thrilled with the excellent work Smoke Signals employees produced in 2024,” Editorial Board Chair Mia Prickett said. “I’m so thankful that we have a free press ordinance in place that allows the newspaper to do this work for our people. It’s especially important during these uncertain times and I look forward to Smoke Signals winning more awards in the future.”

Smoke Signals was once again the only Tribal newspaper honored in the statewide competition.

Earlier this year, Smoke Signals won five awards from the Indigenous Journalists Association, including first place awards for photography and video.

Smoke Signals has now won 150 state and national journalism awards since 2007.