Clara Caufield. Photo from Native News Project / University of Montana School of Journalism
A Cheyenne Voice celebrates sixth year in business
By Clara Caufield Birthdays come and go, but some are more milestone than others - the sixth one being significant. For young people, early childhood is over and it’s time to start getting formally educated – first grade. At age six, a newspaper might be grown up. That is how old A Cheyenne Voice newspaper (serving Cheyenne Country, our friends and neighbors) will be on August 10, 2015. It’s been quite a ride. Sterling Small, a friend was there in the very beginning as I struggled with the first issue. He helped me fold them and remarked “It’s hard to believe it’s been that long. But, it’s also hard to remember when it wasn’t here.” When the first issue hit Lame Deer streets, people were immediately curious, happy to see some local news coverage other than the dreadful stuff about us printed by others. People here call it the “little” paper, now an institution in Cheyenne country, recently expanding its wings to Crow country, by request and now featuring them too. Crow politicians enjoy the media spotlight and Crow Fair, coming up soon, is a journalists' dream. Our two Tribes have many things in common, intermarriage and relatives, friends and intense sports competition. I am also fortunate to be a correspondent for Native Sun News which is also avidly read here. Cheyenne call that the “big” paper. When I write a story, they invariably ask “Can I be in the “big” paper too?” Often, they are. For the first two years, A Cheyenne Voice was actually xeroxed in a lean-to addition on my son’s trailer house (Phillip Beckman) who said “Okay, Mom if you want to do this crazy thing, I’ll help you.” By necessity, he became a copier mechanic. It was a small free weekly flyer, supported by advertisers, sponsors and the occasional odd job. I remember struggling with the first edition, learning to run the Publisher Program and temperamental copy machine. “How in the heck do you make double-sided copies?” Eventually, two second hand humungous copiers dominated the office.
Memories: A Cheyenne Voice from April 2011.
Circulation and demand gradually increased and when it got to 500 per week, copying and folding the 10 page double-sided legal paper (5,000 pieces of paper per week) took a whole day. Delivery to far- flung locations in our area required another day, now up to two. No sooner was one issue completed then it was time to start another. And when a copier broke down, such as the time a mouse chewed one critical little wire, disaster struck. Thus, in year three, A Cheyenne Voice became a “real” newspaper sold by 13 local outlets and printed by the Miles City Star, which produces all of the small local papers in southeastern Montana. They have been very kind to me, saying that A Cheyenne Voice is unique, devoted mostly to Native themes. Kevin, the head print shop guy always looks for our “Indun Joke of the Week” and tries to pronounce the Cheyenne word in that issue. He thinks his family lineage includes some Sioux blood. Wendy Marsh, the talented graphics person who puts together the final version, trying to fix my occasional wrecks, is married to an Ojibwa and grabs a copy of each issue for her aged bingo playing mother-in-law who likes to read about Indians, no matter the Tribe. Perhaps that is why Wendy takes extra time with this “problem” child. Then in year four, the weekly grind of producing a newspaper, largely on a solo-basis became too much. Circulation, including a large number of non-Indians and subscribers from all over the country and even Europe, has swelled to about 1,000. That is when the paper started going bi-weekly, kindly accommodated by advertisers and readers. It causes a little confusion: they ask “Is the paper coming out this week or next?” During the past five years, A Cheyenne Voice has had much help and support. Several locals kindly contribute columns, knowing there is only “acclaim” to be earned: Dr. Richard Littlebear, President of Chief Dull Knife College recently finished his 110th Cheyenne language column; Tribal elders, principally Linwood Tallbull, Kirby Creek contribute oral history accounts for the Traditional Talk Column; Tommy Robinson, sports photographer contributes amazing photos for the sports page, emphasizing youth; my daughter Jeri McMakin does the health and wellness tip; Ms. Reilly, my four-legged companion, has a column called “The Ruff Voice” and uncle Leroy Whiteman has become a cutting political wit and columnist called the “Infamous.” He, like many of us, likes to pick on the Tribal Council and is not afraid to speak his mind, sometimes in the most outrageous way, causing many chuckles. For the first two years, my former boss Tribal President, Leroy Spang had a regular column called the “President’s Voice” evaporating when subsequent leaders did not have the same interest. Most important, after about two years, our local people gained confidence to submit letters to the editor, sometimes on controversial subjects. For so many years, we, as Cheyenne have been reluctant to speak publically, but that is gradually changing as people learn more about our constitutionally guaranteed right to Freedom of Speech. Many have even ventured into a larger arena, Native Sun News. Because Native Sun News kindly accommodates my scribbling, it helps A Cheyenne Voice survive. Each week a check – like clock-work -arrives from Native Sun News for column or news stories. Tim knows how Native journalists struggle and that newspapers (Native or not) are close financial proposition, so he and the new staff diligently help us keep going. Sterling asked how long A Cheyenne Voice will keep going. Dunno. I just celebrated a birthday too, now legally an “elder.” We have talented young tribal member journalists, such as Adrian Jawart, Cinnamon Spear, and afore-mentioned Tommy Robinson, photo journalist, Crow and Cheyenne. But they are busy with other careers and opportunity, maybe not thick-headed or obtuse enough to try running a local newspaper in an impoverished area. So, I will keep plugging away for a while longer, thankful that our advertisers, sponsors and readers support the paper. (Clara Caufield can be reached at acheyennevoice@gmail.com) Copyright permission Native Sun News
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