The Indigenous Journalists Association (IJA) and the Asian American Journalists Association are pleased to announce the 2026 recipients of the IJA-AAJA Pacific Islander Scholarship, which awards up to $5,000 annually to emerging and early career journalists who are committed to strengthening journalism in their communities.
RECIPIENTS: Erythrina Ngirkelau and Kianna Reyes
Erythrina Ngirkelau (Palauan) is a student at the University of California, Berkeley, and a host of the Oceanic Podcast, which features interviews with Pacific Island leaders, students and community members. As an Island Justice Fellow with the Critical Pacific Islands Studies Collective, Ngirkelau has contributed to projects on U.S. militarization, settler colonialism, environmental justice and narrative sovereignty in the Pacific. Her work has spanned archival research, documentary development, podcast production and community-centered storytelling.
Kianna Reyes (CHamoru and Micronesian) is a multimedia creative from the Northern Mariana Islands. She currently writes artist profiles and explores Indigenous cuisine for Marianas Press, where she covers the CNMI’s culture section. She has also contributed work to The Husk, a Pasifika Indigenous media outlet.
Outside of writing, Reyes is a filmmaker and freelance photographer who has produced three short documentaries centering Indigenous narratives through the art of carving, supported by a Fåha Digital Media grant. She is also a Natural Resource Management student at Northern Marianas College, which informs her interest in translating scientific research into accessible journalism centered on Indigenous knowledge systems. She recently participated in IJA’s Indigenous Journalism Fellowship.
The IJA-AAJA Pacific Islander Journalism Scholarship was stablished in 2022, with support from The Omidyar Group, and is administered by the Indigenous Journalists Association in partnership with the Asian American Journalists Association’s Pacific Islander Task Force. The scholarship reflects a shared commitment to strengthening opportunities and representation for Pacific Islanders in journalism.
The scholarship supports Indigenous peoples of the Pacific — including Polynesians, Micronesians and Melanesians — pursuing journalism careers, particularly in the United States and U.S.-affiliated Pacific islands. By providing financial support and professional opportunities, the program aims to help foster greater representation of Oceania communities and stories in news media.
To support the journalism fund, or learn about how to apply in 2027, contact IJA Director of Education and Training Mary Hudetz at mary@indigenousjournalists.org.
The Indigenous Journalists Association is a 501c3 nonprofit organization and all donations are tax-deductible.
About AAJA’s Scholarships
AAJA annually offers financial support to journalism students through scholarships and internship grants to help offset the costs of education, internships, living expenses and other professional development opportunities. These scholarships are made possible by supporters such as AAJA members, allies and generous donors. Learn more here.
