Starting out as an idea that has blossomed into a thriving college magazine publication, Turning Points: A Guide to Native Student Success is a tangible guide for Arizona State University’s Indigenous college students that helps to ensure their success in higher education.
The inception of Turning Points originated from the ideas of Drs Bryan McKinley Jones Brayboy (Lumbee) and Amanda R. Tachine (Diné) who connected with more than 1,100 Native American students at ASU in 2016 to discuss their college experiences. A common narrative that was heard among students were feelings of loneliness, invisibility, disconnection from other Indigenous students, and not knowing how to navigate ASU’s sprawling campus or how to access resources available to them. Students in these initial and crucial discussions shared that having a tangible guide available would be a tremendous source of guidance in their academic journeys.
Turning Points strives to reinforce within Indigenous students that they belong in this institution. The magazine not only highlights campus resources and student stories – the words within its 28 pages aim to reaffirm to students that they are not alone in their unique journeys. “Written by and for Native college students” defines the aspirations of this first-of-its-kind college publication in the United States. From the graphic design to the writing, Indigenous students are leading this unique publication and reclaiming the narratives about the Indigenous experience.
Turning Points Magazine publishes once per academic year and is distributed to Arizona State University’s self-identified Native students and faculty, as well as tribal leadership across the country.
Honors and Awards
2022
2022 National Native Media Awards
Student Division
Print / Online - Best Feature Story
First Place
“She Represents” by Nicholet Deschine Parkhurst, Taylor Notah
Student Division
Print / Online - Best Editorial
First Place
"Beauty behind resiliency" by Kianna Joe
Student Division
Print / Online - Best Editorial
Second Place
"More than Something Else" by Andra Gutierrez, Chael Moore, Shauntel Redhouse, Tally Totsoni
Student Division
Print / Online - Best Editorial
Third Place
"Native TikTok" by Bobbi Ramirez
Student Division
Print / Online - General Excellence
First Place
Brittany Gene, Ryan Allison, Nicholet Deschine Parkhurst, Danielle Lucero, Savannah Jacobs, Mariah McGhee
2021
2021 National Native Media Awards
Student Division
Radio / Podcast - General Excellence
First Place
Chance Dorland, Taylor Notah
Turning Points Magazine Podcast
Student Division
Print / Online - Best Feature Story
Third Place
"The tight-knit Town of Guadalupe" by Noah Huerta
Student Division
Print / Online - Best Feature Story
First Place
Shalanndra Benally
"Indigenizing archives"
Student Division
Print / Online - Best Column
First Place
"Native Scholar Comic" by Danielle Lucero
Student Division
Print / Online - Best Digital Publication
First Place
Taylor Notah, Ravenna Curley, Brittany Gene, Ryan Allison and Shalanndra Benally
2020
2020 National Native Media Awards
Student Division
Print - Best Feature Story
First Place
“The footsteps of the Dawa-Chindi club” by Taylor Notah
Student Division
Print - Best Feature Story
Second Place
“A legacy of giving back” by Taylor Notah
2020 ASU Committee for Campus Inclusion Catalyst Award
University Programs
2019
2019 CASE Dist. VII Awards of Excellence
Bronze for “Special Constituency Magazines”
2019 National Native Media Awards
Student Division
Print / Online - Best Feature Story
First Place Tie
“Showdown on the Rez” by Taylor Notah
Student Division
Print / Online
General Excellence in Student Coverage
Third Place
Taylor Notah
Learn more
For more information, contact the Turning Points Magazine editorial staff at TurningPoints@asu.edu.