YAKIMA, Wash.—The board president of the Native American Journalists Association has resigned, saying the group is in "financial ruin."
Darla Leslie resigned Saturday during the board's annual retreat in Norman, Okla. Board member Brent Merrill also resigned.
Leslie, a reporter and photographer for the Yakama Nation Review in Toppenish, Wash., has been an NAJA member since 1998. She defeated incumbent President Rhonda LeValdo for the position in July.
Executive Director Jeff Harjo says tax returns for the group are current and that finances aren't nearly as bad as Leslie maintains.
Harjo says LeValdo, who had been vice president since July, resumes as president. LeValdo is an adjunct faculty member at Haskell Indian Nations University and producer and host of a radio show.
NAJA has 247 members.
