Kate Nelson: Reshaping Mainstream Narratives

Alumni of Notable Achievement recipient Kate Nelson (BA ‘07, journalism), "one of few Native American journalists recognized and respected at an international level," reshapes mainstream narratives, while producing widely read articles for top-tier media outlets. Her dedication to representation and storytelling with integrity has elevated Indigenous change makers and inspired dialogue in local and global communities.

What brought you to the University of Minnesota and how did you end up studying what you did?

Growing up in rural northern Minnesota, I connected to the larger world beyond my small farming community through magazines, so I always knew I wanted to go into journalism. I was drawn to the University of Minnesota not only out of a childhood love for the city of Minneapolis but also for the opportunity to attend the renowned journalism school.

What do you do now? What energizes you about it?

After spending more than a decade editing a lifestyle magazine, in recent years I have turned my attention to writing about Indigenous change makers and topics to amplify the issues that Native communities face across the United States and beyond. I believe this is my life’s work and feel honored and energized by every story I tell.

Reflect on one of the defining experiences from your time as a CLA student. What impact does it have on your life today?

I relished learning from industry professionals with real-world experience, like writer and editor Pamela Hill Nettleton. Taking her magazine writing class reaffirmed that the work I dreamt about doing could indeed be a reality.

What should current students understand about your profession if they are considering it for themselves?

The media industry has been undergoing massive change in the past decade, but there are still opportunities. If you’re destined to be a storyteller, you’ll always come back to storytelling—you just need to have an open mind about what shape that takes.

What's next? What are your personal/professional goals for the next five years?

I want to continue amplifying Indigenous voices while also helping create space for more Native writers, editors, and producers to break into journalism and continue to evolve our understanding of great storytelling. We need to better support people coming from marginalized communities by reducing the many barriers to entry into this industry and minimizing the gatekeeping that’s still so prevalent. There’s enough space for all of us.

This story was edited by Sally Adams, an undergraduate student in CLA.