Levi Rickert

Levi Rickert
Name	Levi Rickert
Nationality	United States
Occupation	Journalist, Editor, Publisher
Known for	Founder and Editor of Native News Online

Levi Rickert is a Native American journalist, publisher, and tribal advocate known for founding and editing Native News Online, a digital news outlet covering Indigenous affairs. He has reported on tribal sovereignty, federal policy, and Indigenous culture, engaging with institutions across the United States and Indigenous nations. Rickert's career spans work with tribal governments, national media organizations, and civic institutions.

Early life and education

Rickert was raised in the context of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation and has familial ties to Midwestern Indigenous communities. He pursued secondary and postsecondary education that positioned him to work with institutions such as Haskell Indian Nations University, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and regional colleges. His formative years included exposure to tribal governance in the Midwest and interactions with national organizations including National Congress of American Indians, American Indian Movement, and local media markets like Chicago and Kansas City. Early mentors and peers involved connections to journalists and editors at outlets such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, Indian Country Today, and regional newspapers, shaping his reporting interests and legal-political awareness regarding treaties like the Treaty of Greenville and statutes including the Indian Reorganization Act.

Journalism career

Rickert began reporting and editing with a focus on Indigenous news, contributing to coverage of tribal elections, federal-tribal relations, and policy actions by entities including the Department of the Interior, Department of Justice (United States), United States Congress, and presidential administrations. His work intersected with national media ecosystems such as NPR, Associated Press, Reuters, and television networks like CNN and MSNBC, as well as specialized outlets including High Country News and Chronicle of Higher Education when Indigenous issues overlapped with higher education and land rights. Rickert covered legal matters involving courts such as the United States Supreme Court, regional U.S. Courts of Appeals, and tribal courts, reporting on cases connected to statutes and precedents like McGirt v. Oklahoma and federal regulations administered by the Environmental Protection Agency. He engaged with policy debates involving leaders from organizations such as National Indian Education Association, Native American Rights Fund, and Indian Health Service.

Tribal advocacy and leadership

Beyond reporting, Rickert participated in advocacy and leadership within Indigenous networks, collaborating with tribal governments including the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, Swinomish Tribe, and other federally recognized nations. His advocacy work intersected with national advocacy groups such as the National Congress of American Indians, Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, and Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona, and with institutions addressing Indigenous health and welfare like the Indian Health Service and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He engaged in dialogues involving legislative bodies such as the United States Senate and United States House of Representatives on topics including appropriations and treaty rights, and worked alongside legal advocates at organizations like the Native American Rights Fund and scholars from universities such as Harvard University, University of Arizona, and University of New Mexico.

Publications and editorial work

Rickert founded and served as editor of Native News Online, shaping coverage on Indigenous affairs alongside contributors and columnists who have ties to outlets including Indian Country Today, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and academic journals such as the American Indian Quarterly. His editorial work has addressed issues ranging from land acknowledgments and tribal gaming regulated under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act to cultural preservation involving institutions like the Smithsonian Institution and museums such as the National Museum of the American Indian. Rickert coordinated reporting that referenced federal agencies including the National Park Service, Bureau of Indian Education, and Department of Housing and Urban Development when covering programs affecting Native communities. He edited and published interviews with tribal leaders, activists, and scholars connected to institutions such as National Congress of American Indians, Native American Rights Fund, and universities including Stanford University and University of California, Berkeley.

Awards and recognition

Rickert has been recognized by peer organizations and journalism bodies that honor coverage of Indigenous issues, with acknowledgments from entities like the Native American Journalists Association and civic institutions that monitor press freedom such as the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press. His work intersected with awards and fellowships administered by organizations including the Pulitzer Prize-administering board through professional networks, foundations like the Knight Foundation, and academic centers focused on Indigenous studies such as the Center for Native American and Indigenous Studies at major universities. He has been cited or profiled by media outlets and policy organizations including The New York Times, The Washington Post, NPR, and think tanks that study Indigenous policy such as the Urban Institute and Brookings Institution.

Personal life and community involvement

Rickert maintains active involvement in community initiatives, participating in cultural events, powwows, and collaborations with tribal community organizations including the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation cultural programs, regional museums, and local civic groups. He has worked with educational institutions such as Haskell Indian Nations University and regional school districts on Native curriculum initiatives, and engaged with national advocacy groups like the National Indian Education Association and First Nations Development Institute. His community work includes interactions with health and social service organizations such as the Indian Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and local nonprofits addressing housing and economic development in partnership with state agencies.

Category:Native American journalists Category:American newspaper editors