Katie Oyan is an accomplished journalist, editor and newsroom strategist with more than 20 years of experience in national and local news. A citizen of the Oglala Lakota Nation, she was appointed President and CEO of IndiJ Public Media in 2025, bringing a deep commitment to Indigenous storytelling, mentorship and editorial innovation. 

Before joining IndiJ, Katie served as Deputy Director of Local News Success at The Associated Press, where she built a pioneering department supporting hundreds of newsrooms across the United States. Under her leadership, the AP expanded initiatives such as the Localize It tip sheet series, increased editorial collaborations and developed newsroom training programs designed to empower local journalists. 

Katie’s connection to Indigenous media is longstanding. As managing editor of Indian Country Today in 2020, she helped lead coverage that earned multiple Native American Journalists Association awards. Her editorial leadership during this time elevated stories on the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 election and the racial justice movement in Native communities. 

Her career also includes nearly two decades in editing roles at The Associated Press and early reporting at regional newspapers in Montana and California. Throughout, Katie has remained committed to cultivating new generations of Native journalists and building sustainable pathways for Indigenous media. 

She holds a degree in journalism from the University of Montana and is based in Phoenix, Arizona.