Marquette University Diederich College of Communication partners with ICT for Milwaukee newsroom

Oct. 28, 2025

MILWAUKEE - The Marquette University Diederich College of Communication and ICT, formerly Indian Country Today and the flagship news organization of IndiJ Public Media, have announced an agreement to house an ICT regional bureau within the college's Johnston Hall beginning in January 2026.

The agreement establishes dedicated office space, student internship support and opportunities for collaboration between ICT and the Diederich College of Communication. ICT will be the second nonprofit newsroom with a presence at Marquette, alongside the Neighborhood News Service, which began as a project of the college and has since partnered with Wisconsin Watch.

"We are delighted to be expanding our reach in this important part of the country, which is home to dozens of tribal nations and thousands of urban Natives," said Katie Oyan, IndiJ Public Media president and CEO. "Partnerships like this allow us to further our mission of reporting on our communities, from our communities, and we are so grateful for Marquette's support."

The new bureau will cover the Great Lakes region. It is part of ICT's broader efforts to expand its geographic footprint, providing community-based reporting from across the U.S., while staying on top of the major issues that matter most to all of Indian Country. ICT's goal is to add three additional bureaus in high-priority regions over the next three years.

ICT is the largest news organization covering Native American issues in the country. It produces digital and broadcast news coverage from an Indigenous perspective and reaches national and international audiences. Milwaukee will be ICT's first bureau in the Midwest and will increase the amount and quality of Indigenous coverage it will give its readers and viewers in the region. Embedding the bureau on a college campus is in line with ICT practices, providing journalism students with internship opportunities leading to careers in journalism.

"We are thrilled to welcome ICT to Marquette University," said Dr. Kati Tusinski Berg, acting dean of the Diederich College of Communication. "This is an exciting and mission-aligned collaboration, which speaks to the positive elements in journalism. We are proud to expand internship opportunities for our students, and collaboration opportunities for our college, with another dedicated newsroom serving a community that mainstream news outlets often miss."

Collaborative opportunities include a student internship position supporting the ICT bureau reporter and ICT's work, engagement with the O'Brien Fellowship in Public Service Journalism program, and potential adjunct teaching and curriculum development.

About ICT

ICT (formerly Indian Country Today) is the flagship news organization of IndiJ Public Media. Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, with bureaus in Alaska, Montana, Oregon, and Washington, D.C., ICT produces digital and broadcast news coverage from an Indigenous perspective. ICT reaches national and international audiences through award-winning journalism focused on Indigenous peoples, cultures, and issues.

About IndiJ Public Media

IndiJ Public Media is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring our ancestors and future generations through stories that bring Indigenous peoples to life. Founded to strengthen and sustain independent Indigenous media, IndiJ Public Media supports journalism that informs, educates, and uplifts Native communities across the country. IndiJ Public Media is funded by members, donors, foundations, and philanthropic partners who support Native-led storytelling.

About Marquette University

Marquette University is a Catholic, Jesuit university located near the heart of downtown Milwaukee that offers a comprehensive range of majors in 11 nationally and internationally recognized colleges and schools. Through the formation of hearts and minds, Marquette prepares our 11,100 undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and professional students to lead, excel and serve as agents of positive change. And, we deliver results. Ranked in the top 20% of national universities, Marquette is recognized for its undergraduate teaching, innovation and career preparation as the sixth-best university in the country for job placement. Our focus on student success and immersive, personalized learning experiences encourages students to think critically and engage with the world around them. When students graduate with a Marquette degree, they are truly prepared and called to Be The Difference.

About Kevin Conway

Kevin is the associate director for university communication in the Office of Marketing and Communication. Contact Kevin at (414) 288-4745 or [email protected].