TRIBAL ADVOCACY EXPERIENCES
It Starts With Trust
PROTECTING SOVEREIGN RIGHTS
As Oklahomans, we are directly influenced by the collective histories and present-day contributions of 39 distinctive First American Nations. So, when it comes time to defend those contributions, we bring a specialized expertise in creative solutions for legal, business and cultural advocacy.
Through intense collaboration with tribal historians, cultural preservationists and tribal leadership, we’ve been able to hone our skills in distributing effective, culturally sensitive messaging and developing strong brand identities for First American Nations.
Being an effective advocate requires strategic research and a desire for historical integrity – something we’ve learned through nurturing long-lasting relationships with tribal nations. We are grateful to be able to extend that unique perspective to future partners.
FINDING RESOLUTION IN WATER RIGHTS LAWSUIT
In 2010, the Choctaw and Chickasaw Nations filed a lawsuit against the state of Oklahoma over longstanding state water policy issues.
We were tasked with creating a branded communications strategy that addressed why the tribes were filing a water rights lawsuit and the impact of proper water resource management on all Oklahoma communities. The message was that every Oklahoman’s needs would be met by a plan to protect and provide for Oklahoma’s water future.
The initiative started with identifying the Seven Essentials of Water Management to meet all of Oklahoma’s principal needs:
Urban Communities
Oklahoma City and Tulsa are economic engines that allow all of Oklahoma to prosper; these cities are not able to grow without water.
Rural & Towns
Meeting the water needs of small towns and rural areas is essential for nurturing their emerging economic potential.
Agriculture
As one of Oklahoma’s largest industries, maintaining water resources for agriculture was imperative.
Sustainability
Choctaw and Chickasaw Nations partnered with a broad range of experts in the name of science-based stewardship.
Tourism
Oklahoma’s third-largest industry is tourism, driven to a great extent by water recreation. Holding water levels high enough for travelers to keep returning was essential.
Drought Defense
At the time of this campaign, Oklahoma was well into a statewide drought. It was essential to put Oklahomans first in preparing for the worst.
Unity
Cooperation, not confrontation, is needed for a water-aware public.
Our messaging was supported with paid media, earned media, a 30-minute broadcast documentary, print, social media, plus a website with additional video content to provide background and historical information and public relations efforts.
The campaign was a success as The Essentials resonated with the public and was even credited with being a driving force in all parties joining the mediation table. By 2016, the lawsuit had resulted in a historic settlement. We took that success and developed a communications plan to announce the settlement with a resolution-focused website and collateral materials, press conference, paid and earned media.
RELATING TRIBAL ISSUES TO THE PUBLIC
The perspectives of First American Nations aren’t always at the forefront of public knowledge. Allegations from the Chickasaw and Choctaw Nations of federal government mismanagement of trust assets date back to the 19th century, beginning with a broken pre-removal promise over the protection of ancestral territories and all its assets.
As new federal policies called for the removal of First Americans to what became known as Indian Territory, the Chickasaw and Choctaw Nations were promised a legal title to land in present-day south-central and southeastern Oklahoma to ensure the continuation of these sovereign tribal governments.
That trust relationship was betrayed as the Nations were stripped of their purchased lands and assets through allotment, resulting in the impoverishment of their communities and the near eradication of cultural identities. The U.S. Department of the Interior continued to ignore specific laws protecting the tribes in order to illegally sell off more than 1.3 million acres of valuable, tribally owned lands and timber to private interest groups at a fraction of their worth.
After decades of threats to tribal resources, it was time to take action and educate the public about this complicated case.
Solution
We developed the Tragedy of Broken Trust initiative to relate these unique tribal issues to a mass audience. Efforts included a 30-minute broadcast documentary that aired on all network affiliates in Washington, D.C., print and digital advertising with the Washington Post and a website with additional legal and historical background information.
We also researched and developed a proprietary list of close to 1,000 influentials in Oklahoma and in D.C. This list included everyone from elected officials to clergy to school superintendents, the media, Chamber leaders and more. We developed a highly targeted direct mail piece including a copy of the video to be sure those influentials were well informed on this critical issue.
Results
Our strategically crafted messaging for this campaign played a vital role in the case, which resulted in a $186 million federal settlement, the fifth-largest settlement of 86 tribal trust actions.