My name is Birdie Sam, I am a queer Tlingit Indigenous media creator.
My content creation started when I began creating and donating masks at the beginning of the pandemic in 2020. I gathered my social media marketing skills while building an online mask shop. Since transitioning to more of a content creator role, I have closed the mask shop and have been designing fun merch.
Since the summer of 2021, I have been creating media content to advocate for Climate Action and Amplify Indigenous issues. I am now exploring the world of videography and journalism by partnering with the independent newsletter Popular.Info!
Email: Contact@showme-yourmask.com
Social media has reshaped how Americans consume news. As content creators—often called “influencers”—rise as primary sources of information, they are overtaking traditional journalists for younger audiences. This shifting landscape brings critical questions: What does this mean for journalism? What does this mean for new consumers? How can we navigate news literacy in a digital world? And what role do these voices play in shaping the media ecosystem?
Join High Country News, the Journalism and Public Interest Communication program at the University of Washington, and content creators Birdie Sam (@showme_YourMask), Kelsey Russell (@Kelscruss), and Teal Lehto (@WesternWaterGirl). Together, we’ll explore how their work brings new voices and perspectives to journalism, their evolving relationships with traditional media, and what drives their passion for the work they do.
UW Teaching Professor Andrea Otáñez will facilitate the conversation.
February 5, 2025, 5-7pm
University of Washington Walker Ames Room, Kane Hall
Livestream will be available: stay tuned to HCN.org UWComm social media for details
Livestream:
Livestream:
Podcast talking about ICWA
There's a slew of recent Supreme Court cases that are directly affecting Native Americans. To help unpack these rulings, V brings on activists Julian Brave NoiseCat and Birdie to talk about tribal sovereignty, indigenous rights, and how they're helping elevate the voices of their communities.
YouTube
YouTube
Tiktok
Tiktok
Merch
Merch
