Tristan Ahtone
Tristan Ahtone is an award-winning journalist and member of the Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma.
Before becoming a reporter, Tristan held a number of exciting jobs, such as door-to-door salesman, delivery driver, telemarketer, secretary, janitor, busboy, and office clerk to name a few.
In 2006, Tristan graduated from the Institute of American Indian Arts with a bachelors degree in Creative Writing. In 2008, he received a masters degree in broadcast journalism from the Columbia School of Journalism.
Since 2008, Tristan has specialized in covering Native American, environmental and healthcare issues, and has worked with The Newshour with Jim Lehrer, National Native News, Frontline, Indian Country Today, Sirius Satellite Radio and NPR.
Before moving to Albuquerque, Tristan worked as Morning Edition Host and Reporter for Wyoming Public Radio and currently serves as Poverty and Public Health Reporter for KUNM and the Fronteras Desk.
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After the latest in a flurry of decisions on whether his lack of fluency in the Navajo language disqualifies him from the presidential ballot, Chris Deschene's candidacy is now in limbo.
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Chris Deschene's campaign to become president of the Navajo Nation could get a boost after a requirement for candidates to be fluent in the Navajo language is altered. -
Chris Deschene's run for president of the Navajo Nation has been challenged because he's not fluent in the Navajo language. The dispute highlights a split among Native Americans over language issues. -
The city is the latest to honor Native Americans instead of Christopher Columbus. But not everyone is happy about the change. -
The Santa Fe Indian Market returns to New Mexico in August for the 93rd time. But this time, there's competition — a new event showcasing Native American artists has set up shop down the street.
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This summer, New Mexico froze Medicaid payments to several mental health agencies due to "credible allegations of fraud." From there, the providers were taken over by Arizona companies, leaving approximately 30,000 patients to navigate New Mexico's complex mental health system alone.
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In the Southwest, a rare genetic disorder known as Common Hispanic Mutation has haunted those of Spanish-colonial descent for nearly 400 years. They call it El Frio or the cold. A majority of people with the disorder reside in New Mexico.
