Going into The Arizona Republic I came in with a master's degree and years of experience as a Native journalist. I started as a fellow and worked my way to a reporter. When asked to start the Indigenous Affairs beat, no raise was offered but I had to be a breaking news editor.

I was a breaking news editor for a year at the same time I was building the Indigenous Affairs beat. The only raise I saw was when Gannett gave companywide raises. So please explain to me why someone with a master's and a decade of experience is still earning about 40k?

It's infuriating to see that the newsroom I have dedicated so much time and energy to doesn’t see my work as valuable as the other journalists in the room. I have given more than enough to prove my worth. The fact that this newsroom does nothing to respect that is ridiculous.