Erin Tapahe
 

Publishd

stories

"Tapahe believes everyone has equal potential making her an extremely great team player. She strives to turn all stories into an intriguing fascinating piece which amuses an audience.

As an American Indian journalist, Tapahe represents a culture which makes up only two percent of the United States population. She exemplifies the versatility of covering American Indian stories in addition to mainstream media stories," Ramona Marozas, Erin Tapahe's NAJA mentor, said. 

 

 

Proposed federal conservation bill would inject $100M for tribal fish and wildlife efforts

Tribal Business News reporter, Fall 2021

Bipartisan federal legislation could dramatically reshape the funding available to tribal nations for wildlife conservation efforts. 

The proposed Recovering America’s Wildlife Act would for the first time give tribes a direct line of federal funding for their natural resources departments to perform fish and wildlife work. 

Importantly, as the bicameral bill is currently proposed, it would inject nearly $100 million annually into Indian Country to help fuel tribal conservation work on the 140 million acres of land they control.

 

Native actors encourage next generation to tell their stories

Freelance reporter for Osage News, Winter 2020

The Indigenous Filmmakers Lounge was a free event and welcomed all people to attend. According to the event page description, “The Lounge will feature panel discussions, elevated dialogue, networking and live performances during the opening weekend of the Festival with a focus on narrative change and creating opportunities for Native peoples to build sustainable careers in the industry.”

Martin Sensmeier is a Native American actor and has had roles in “The Magnificent Seven,” “Yellowstone,” and “Wind River.” “I see the impact storytelling has on people and it’s so important. Stories have the power to motivate people to push through hard times in life,” Sensmeier said.

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Maintaining traditional Native American values in a modern world

Universe reporter, Winter 2018

Many Native Americans find themselves between two worlds and find difficulty navigating through both. Using technology is a positive because it provides the opportunity to preserve the Native American teachings and languages.

“You can succeed because of your native inheritance,” said Michalyn Steele. “That means you can do hard things and you had ancestors who overcame obstacles so you could be here, to achieve happiness and be a servant to future generations.”

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Opponents of Keystone XL Pipeline watch legal developments; happy construction on hold

Universe reporter, Fall 2018

The Keystone XL oil pipeline’s proposed route in U.S. territory would run from Morgan, Montana, to Steele City, Nebraska — a total of 875 miles. TransCanada sent the first application for a presidential permit on Sept. 19, 2008. The Indigenous Environmental Network (IEN) and North Coast Rivers Alliance (NCRA) have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration’s approval for the permit.

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Downsized national monuments threaten Native American history, opponents say

Universe reporter, Fall 2018

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is drafting an Environmental Impact Statement and Monumental Management plan for the Bears Ears National Monument and Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. The BLM is accepting comments from the public to express concerns and suggestions for the management of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase Escalante.

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Homecoming to showcase True Blue spirit

Universe reporter, Fall 2017

A new event called “Honor Day” will be introduced to BYU campus this year. 

Students can be a part of one of BYU’s oldest traditions on Oct. 3 with Hike and Light the Y. The first 800 students get a free mini-lantern and free shuttle service is available from the east law school parking lot to the trailhead. The hike begins at 6 p.m.

True Blue Foam, similar to a Slip ‘n Slide with blue foam instead of water, takes place on Oct. 4 from 4-6 p.m. at the Helaman field. Hunt said new tarps have been bought for the event.

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Eight candidates want to be Provo's mayor

Universe reporter, Summer 2017

Eight candidates are running for Provo Mayor, offering a variety of promises to Provo residents.

The election will be held Tuesday, Aug. 15, and will be conducted primarily through mail-in ballots. Ballots must be postmarked by August 14 in order to be counted. Provo residents can vote in person at the Provo City Recreation Center (320 West 500 North) from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

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Kennedy Center replaces Utah state flag after BYU alumnus notices error

BYU Universe reporter, Summer 2017

A BYU alumnus detected a 200-year error on the Utah state flag in the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C. A new updated flag will be replaced on

July 24 in honor of Pioneer Day.

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BYU professors identify 4 types of Facebook users 

Universe reporter, Summer 2017

A recent BYU study found most Facebook users can be sorted into four simple categories, despite what seems like a collection of vastly different people.

BYU communications professors Tom Robinson, Kristoffer Boyle and Clark Callahan developed the study with BYU graduate students Erica Rivera and Janice Cho to answer the question, “Why do we use Facebook?” The research study analyzes Facebook users and their purpose behind using the site.

“One of the graduate students was looking at Facebook and Tom asked, ‘Why are you on it? What purpose do you have to be on Facebook?'” Boyle said.

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Commercial Music Expo empowers young musicians

Universe reporter, Summer 2017

Music industry professionals taught the next generation of musicians how to succeed at BYU’s Commercial Music Expo, a two-day event filled with music workshops, devotionals and concerts.

This year’s expo, July 14–15, was filled with the maximum number of participants: 100 students. The students learned about subjects such as songwriting, entrepreneurship, recording and stage performance in the Harris Fine Arts Center.

Fireworks ignite BYU professor's home

Universe reporter, Summer 2017

A restful night began with a peculiar smell of smoke and faint sounds of fireworks and ended with a catastrophic house fire. BYU history professor Jay Buckley turned off the nighttime news and prepared for bed. As he laid in bed he smelled an unusual odor. As he investigated the odor, he quickly realized it was smoke.

Buckley went outside his home in Orem to find a fire on his roof, starting to engulf his office upstairs. He immediately called 911. They instructed him to get out of the house.

“My first priorities were getting my wife and children out to make sure they were safe,” Buckley said.

The fire occurred on July 1 at 10:35 p.m. Buckley said fireworks are to blame for the fire that damaged the whole top floor — three bedrooms, two bathrooms and his personal office. The lower levels also received water damage from extinguishing the fire. The person responsible is still unknown.

FIRST LADY, "WE NEED YOU."

Native Voice reporter for Native American Journalists Association, July 2015

“I believe in you,” First Lady Michelle Obama said to Native youth at the first-ever White House Tribal Youth Gathering. More than one thousand youth members, representing for 230 tribes from 42 states gathered in Washington D.C.

“Your customs, your values, your discoveries are at the heart of the American story,” she said, acknowledging the mistreatment of Native Americans, “America hasn’t always treated your people and heritage with dignity and respect. Tragically it has been just the opposite.”

For instance, young children were sent to boarding school. These schools were instructed to follow the motto, “Kill the Indian to Save the Man.” According to the “Civilization Regulations” Native religions and ceremonies were considered illegal.

Finding An Inner Light While Dancing Native Traditions

Indian Country Today News Media, August 2015

I knew I was signing up for an adventure when I tried out for Living Legends, a spectacular dance group at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah that performs all over the world.

What I didn’t know was that even as I was traveling out into the world of bright stage lights and faraway places like Canada and Alaska, I would be taking an even greater journey to find my light to become the best I can be.

Living Legends is unique because it incorporates three diverse cultures—Native American, Latin American and Polynesian—into a tribute to the ancient cultures of the Americas and the Pacific Islands. With vibrant colors, ancestral stories, and a mission of sharing these three cultures, the group travels throughout the United States and the world.

Wondo Talks World Cup, Native Heritage With Student Reporter

Indian Country Today News Media, July 2014

I hear the almost-still wind of a sunny California day, the thud of soccer balls hitting the back of the net, the echoes of players celebrating goals. Chris Wondolowski, known as “Wondo” by fans and teammates alike, is one of the last players to walk off the field after wrapping up a recent late morning practice with the San Jose Earthquakes, the local Major League Soccer team. I’m here to grab an interview with one of the best-known athletes in Indian country, the Kiowa man who helped stir up the whole country on the United States’ national soccer team’s recent run in the World Cup.