Opportunities in Broadcast Journalism
Words of Encouragement from Hattie Kaufmann

By Jennifer Boschert

Being the only Native American currently working in broadcast journalism at the national network level leaves Hattie Kauffman, Nez Perce, longing for other Native American colleagues to join her in the field. She has many insightful suggestions for other Native Americans who would like to break into the broadcast business. In her own climb to the top, her motto was simply, "l'll do it." She gives that same advice to those looking to find employment in the industry.

Though she was born on the Nez Perce Reservation in Idaho, Hattie Kaufmann moved to Seattle, Washington as a young girl. When she was only 10 years old, Kauffman's idea of becoming a reporter surfaced. After seeing Native American reporter Tanna Beebe taping a session at the Olympic Hotel, Kauffman knew that she, too, could be a reporter.
After high school, Hattie attended the University of Minnesota in the Twin Cities. She was impressed with the fact that it was the only university offering a degree in American Indian studies at that time. She discovered that there were many career opportunities to choose from, but she was still undecided. Hearing that there was not a single American Indian certified to teach in the state of Minnesota, Kaufmann went to the dean of the college of education and found out what she needed to do to become certified—and her major was determined.
Hattie took a part-time job at the university radio station while working toward her teaching degree. One of the staff at WCCO, a CBS affiliate in Minneapolis, heard her on the air and asked her to apply for their minoritiesin- broadcasting scholarship. She turned down the offer and proceeded to get her bachelor's degree in education in 1977. For two years, Hattie taught in the Minneapolis public schools but her mind returned to the scholarship offer, and she decided to apply for it and work on a master's degree in journalism. She was awarded the scholarship, but after only a year, personal issues brought about the need to move closer to her parents in Seattle.
Once in Seattle, Hattie took a job at a local television station as the assistant producer for a program devoted to American Indian issues. Eventually, she accepted the position of guest host. She was offered a year-long paid apprenticeship at KING-TV and two years of working overtime and taking on shifts that others refused led to a promotion as a weekend anchor. Kauffman earned four Emmy Awards for her work in Seattle.
In 1987, Kauffman moved to New York where for three years she worked for ABC on Good Morning America. She then moved to Los Angeles to work for CBS on the CBS Early Show. By February of 1989, Kauffman had become the first Native American to report on a national network news broadcast and eleven years later still maintains that distinction. She hopes, however, that within the next five years she might have some company at the network level.

Giving Back
Paving the way for young Native Americans in the broadcast business is one of the ways Kauffman has given back to her people. Another is by speaking at high schools, including her own Nez Perce Reservation in Idaho and at the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming. She has spoken at Native youth conferences, American Indian student associations, and college campuses. Kauffman shares her story with the students and tells them, "My message is simple. I did it, you can too. That may sound trite, but I am absolutely positive it is the truth." She points out that their goals are within their reach, adding, "I try to leave them with the sense that the world, and all of the wonderful opportunities it holds, is there for the taking."

Finding a Niche
Kauffman is enthusiastic when describing the many opportunities for Native people in the broadcast field. Entry-level positions include clerical work, telephone reception, as well as becoming a page who escorts guests from the "greenroom" to the studio. According to Kauffman, "A person in these positions could apply to become a researcher, assistant producer, or a helper who makes phone calls to track down information that is needed for a story. The next step would be an associate producer, booking guests for a live show, or setting up a shoot for a tape piece. A successful associate producer would be promoted to a producer. The producer travels with a correspondent on a story and the two work together to determine who should be interviewed and how the piece should be written and edited. Another opportunity is on the technical side. There are positions for studio camera operators, tape editors, floor managers, directors, audio technicians, lighting directors, set designers, etc."
"There are endless possibilities," she continues. "The education that should be pursued depends on which position some one is interested in. Many of the jobs require a college degree, some don't. If you're interested in becoming a producer, reporter, correspondent or anchor, it is most important that you get a wellrounded education. Take courses in history, sociology, politics and certainly, English. Writing skills are of course important, but I don't recommend taking only journalism courses. If you're interested in the technological side of the business, those communications courses become more important. Small radio stations, local cable shows or neighborhood/ community newspapers can provide valuable on-the-job-training. Eventually you work your way up by applying for a job at a larger station or moving to a larger city. But starting out someplace small is ideal because then you learn every aspect of putting a broadcast or newspaper together."

Challenging Assignments
The chance to tell stories about Native Americans that would otherwise never be told is an advantage of Kaufmann's position. She aired a program about the Navajo codetalkers in World War II who formulated a military communication code based on their Native language. The Japanese could not break the code, which proved pivotal in the Allied victory in the Pacific. Covering American Indian issues isn't something that happens daily, but Kaufmann feels that because of her position, people have someone on the inside to call.
Another benefit is the ongoing opportunity to participate in and report on some very exciting activities. Kaufmann's five-part series called "Something Wild" had her race car driving, rock climbing, scuba diving with dolphins, and ski jumping. Much of her time, in fact, is spent traveling; she is rarely in her office and quips, "On any Monday morning I have no idea how many cities I might see before the week is out."
Hattie Kauffman looks forward to more Native Americans joining her field. "I have met several Native American television reporters who are working out there, and I try to keep abreast of their progress. I've offered to look at their rÈsumÈ tapes and make suggestions. I wish every one of them every success."

Jennifer Boschert is a free-lance writer living in Niwot, Colorado.