Paul DeMain was born an Oneida-Ojibwe, then adopted and raised by a white middle-class family in Wausau, Wisconsin. He embraces his genetic heritage, guards its traditions, and, as a journalist, defends Native American culture from the larger society that threatens it.

DeMain explains how he saw his role as Indian Affairs Advisor to the governor of Wisconsin: "Decisions are made by the tribal chiefs or they're made by the governor, and I was the messenger between those two groups of people, those governments." In that job, the governor relied on DeMain to work for the state while he was representing the interests of the tribes. Wisconsin's 30,000 Native Americans are not just a minority; they comprise nations—11 tribes, each with a separate government.

DeMain then founded News from Indian Country, a nationwide newspaper, published twice a month, both in print and on-line. He's the managing editor as well as an owner. News from Indian Country is the oldest continuing, nationally distributed publication that is not owned by a tribal government. The paper offers national, cultural, and regional news, as well as "the most up-to-date powwow directory in the United States and Canada." The newspaper, with a staff of 12 plus several dozen free-lance writers, has subscribers throughout the United States, Canada, and 17 foreign countries.

In his role as editor, DeMain continues to speak on behalf of Native Americans while seeking the truth, no matter where it takes him. Sometimes that can be tricky. In 2003, DeMain's dogged eight-year investigation to identify those responsible for crimes within the American Indian Movement (AIM) eventually led to the indictments of two former AIM members for tribal murders that had gone unsolved. But that pitted him against members of the Native community. DeMain has had to walk a fine line between his cultural and journalistic allegiances.

Besides his work with News from Indian Country, DeMain's career includes serving as president of the UNITY Coalition of Journalists, coordinating the vice-presidential campaign of Winona LaDuke on the Nader/LaDuke ticket, participating on several Boards of Directors, and making presentations to organizations and colleges about his two passions: Indian Country and the media. He also takes part in drum councils and has close ties with tribes.

And DeMain's long-term plans should come as no surprise to anyone who knows him or who has followed his work: "My goal is to continue serving Indian Country with news and information, helping build a reservation-based economy and develop a grass roots training program for American Indians utilizing digital technology."

It's a difficult balance, this telling the truth as a journalist and risking disapprobation from your people. But if anyone can do it, it's Paul DeMain. A former Wisconsin governor says of him: "He doesn't shy away from something if he thinks he's right."