Spotlight on a Cultural Ambassador and Multimedia Journalist Shaping Indigenous Narratives
Shondiin Mayo is a trailblazer, using her platform as a storyteller and journalist to amplify the voices and stories of Indigenous communities. As a Koyukon Athabascan and Diné woman, Shondiin’s work is a powerful reminder of the importance of representation and cultural preservation in media. Whether through her documentary films, articles, or public speaking engagements, she is shaping the narrative of what it means to be Indigenous in today’s world. In this post, we’ll explore Shondiin’s inspiring journey, her passion for storytelling, and the impact she’s making in media and beyond.
Shondiin is from Stevens Village, Alaska, and Ts’ah Bii Kin, Arizona (on the Navajo Nation). She is Koyukon Athabascan and Diné, the daughter of Violet Hunt and Randy Mayo. Her maternal grandparents were the late Jean Tallman of Ts’ah Bii Kin and Harry Hunt of Shiprock, New Mexico. Her paternal grandparents are the late Marjorie Sam of Stevens Village and “Tucky” Mayo of Rampart.
Shondiin graduated from Northern Arizona University in 2021 with a degree in Creative Media and Film, specializing in documentary filmmaking. One of the things she struggled with in undergrad is choosing her major.
“For my senior capstone, I gravitated toward documentary filmmaking,” Shondiin said. Her project, Mercy, follows Greg and Ricky Taylor’s journey in dog mushing, documenting their team on the trails, in the dog yard, and at the Open North American Championship Sled Dog Race in Fairbanks. Through interviews, she explored their father, Bill Taylor’s legacy and their efforts to revive their dog team. The film captures the dedication and resilience required for the sport.
🎥 Watch Mercy by Shondiin Mayo:
Shondiin also participated in the Miss Indigenous Northern Arizona University (NAU) pageant, a student organization dedicated to promoting cultural awareness and supporting Indigenous student organizations. As a student ambassador, she represented NAU and surrounding communities. One of her most memorable experiences was attending the Traditional Games and Native Youth Olympics in Juneau, where she and fellow Indigenous students learned about Southeast Alaska’s games and tribal nations. The pageant helped her develop self-confidence, public speaking skills, and talent presentation.
After earning her bachelor’s degree, she faced the significant challenge of discovering her true path. Shondiin explored various graduate programs but soon realized that her interests did not align with any of them, leading her to feel like a failure when things didn’t work out.
During this period, she found comfort in traditional crafts, such as snowshoe making and creating a sunshine ruff, guided by her mentor Caitlynn Hanna.
It was only when she entered the Miss Alaska USA pageant that she received mentorship from Alyssa London, who helped her articulate her mission statement and core values. She recalls that branding played a crucial role in her preparation, and she emerged with a strong sense of purpose centered on storytelling and Indigenous representation. Although she didn’t win the crown, the experience proved to be incredibly valuable.
“People believed in me. I felt proud to be an Alaska Native on the stage and to wear traditional jewelry made by Diloola Erickson. I also credit, Jenna Pitka and Roxy Erickson for doing my hair and makeup. All of them are strong native women.”
She is now pursuing a graduate degree at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University. Her career has included roles as a reporter and anchor at a local news station, a communication specialist at Doyon Utilities, and now as a reporter for ICT, covering issues affecting Indigenous communities nationwide.
Shondiin encourages those considering a return to school to embrace change, as it can lead to new opportunities and personal growth.
“What motivated me to continue was the sense of confidence that education had given me and how it continues to offer new opportunities as well as stability for a secure future.” – Shondiin Mayo
Beyond storytelling, Shondiin enjoys traditional activities like the Native Youth Olympics, dog mushing, and boat racing. Her journalism background and public speaking experience often lead her to emcee events, such as the Festival of Native Arts. Through filmmaking, education, and cultural engagement, she remains a dedicated advocate for Indigenous storytelling, land conservation, and community involvement.
As an IJA-ASU-ICT Fellow and freelance multimedia journalist, Shondiin’s work exemplifies the importance of Indigenous voices in shaping narratives and empowering future generations. You can follow her impactful storytelling and learn more about her work at ICT News here.