[3] The organization seeks to improve the representation of Native Americans in newsrooms and in the profession of journalism,[5] NAJA is a member group of UNITY: Journalists of Color, Inc.[6] Each year, the organization recognizes Native American journalists and associate members with journalism awards for excellence in coverage on a variety of topic areas.
[7][8][9] NAJA hosts workshops and conferences to teach and share the journalistic skills necessary to cover issues in and about Indian Country.
Adrian C. Louis (Lovelock Paiute), Jose Barreiro (Taíno), Tim Giago (Oglala Lakota), and Bill Dulaney, among others, were founding members.
[17][18] The organization spoke out against the United States government's use of Geronimo's name as a code for Osama bin Laden.
[19][20] NAJA celebrated its 10th annual Native American Journalism Career Conference at the Crazy Horse Memorial in 2009.