Proclaiming itself to be a "National Newspaper for Indian America" and a "Signal for Self Determination", Wassaja was the San Francisco-based spiritual successor to a namesake publication operating in Chicago between 1916-1922. The intention of the revived title, Wassaja, as stated by its founder and editor Rupert Costo, was to present the true situation regarding the lives of Indigenous peoples and to suggest non-violent alternatives for Indigenous agitators to achieve their goals. Primarily, the content reflected this, with articles focussing on both local and state legislation, education and economic programmes, and continuing debates over Indigenous Affairs. The paper covered news that effected the indigenous community as a whole, including treaty violations, murders and issues over water rights - which became a regular feature in its pages. The paper did not shy away either from difficult subject matter, such as police brutality on the Trail of Broken Treaties or the exploitation of energy resources on tribal lands. However, the newspaper also published a great deal of articles concerning achievements by Indigenous peoples, such as sporting, artistic and literary awards and competitions. In March 1980, this publication joined forces with The Indian Historian (also published by the American Indian Historical Society), however the venture would not last, and Wassaja would be revived for a final year between 1982-1983.
Electronic reproduction. Marlborough, Wiltshire : AM, 2024. Digitized from a copy held by the Sequoyah National Research Center and made available by AM.
Location of Originals
Sequoyah National Research Center, University of Arkansas, Little Rock
Copyright Note
Material sourced from Sequoyah National Research Centre, University of Little Rock at Arkansas.
