NmTC is pleased to be of service

It was nice to hear all the different ways that NmTC has assisted our 11 nations. Sliammon is a good example of this and also a good example of the saying: “If you don’t ask, we don’t know how to help”.

A recent example is how NmTC’s communications people were able to assist Sliammon as it pressed federal politicians to initial the treaty agreement. A media release was prepared and sent out to local, regional and national newspapers and other media.

When a local newspaper got the release, Sliammon was told by a reporter that the story couldn’t be covered because she was preparing to leave on holiday and didn’t have time. But when the Globe&Mail newspaper gave prominent play to the story, the local reporter phoned to say she would cover the story after all.

There are a couple of good lessons to learn here. First, properly written media releases have real value. And our nations should not forget that there is a national and sometimes international audience for news created by you.

Another good communications tip that I learned recently can definitely be filed under the heading K.I.S.S. or Keep It Simple, Stupid. When you are writing for any audience, use language that everyone, no matter who they are, will understand. Pretend you are writing a letter to you mother or closest loved one. You don’t have to impress them with big words. Just tell them what is happening.

Leaders make use of Communications Workshop tools

There was something new and something old when NmTC hosted its Communications Workshop for our nations’ leaders at Tigh-na-mara Resort in Parksville in mid-September.

And while a range of expert communicators got everyone to roll up their sleeves to work on common issues and challenges, it was the delegates who really contributed to the wide-ranging discussions on how dialogue takes place at the First Nations level in our world.

Bruce Williams, the well-known face from CTV Vancouver Island set the tone for the two days when he gave the keynote address on the impacts of the transition from traditional media to new media. Along the way he covered topics such as: crafting your own messages; controlling ‘the brand’; and educating the media.

“You have a lot going for you, but you have to sell it,” he said. “Invite the media to visit.”

He also spoke about the importance of forging good relations with media people so that when news or crisis hits, they already know about the nation.

Deidre Campbell of Tartan Communications continued on a similar theme when she spoke about the importance of the media, building good relationships and targeting audiences for different messages.

Much discussion occurred as Campbell spoke about what information should be shared with the media while protecting the reputation of a nation. She also spoke about public relations and using the RACE method. RACE stands for Research, Analysis, Communication and Evaluation as part of a communications plan for an event or issue.

NmTC had a large presence during the workshop as governance coordinator Nicole Hajash spoke about crisis communications planning and Klahowya editor Mark Kiemele talked about community newsletters and Klahowya  as communications tools.

The second day was devoted to the value of good communications practices as part of a strategic planning process. The presenter was Peter Doukakis who has been working with Sliammon nation as part of an NmTC pilot project.

As the workshop closed, NmTC CEO Keith Wilson said that the tribal council would make the Sliammon project materials, as well as Doukakis, available to other nations. “This has proven to be a great experience for all concerned,” he said. “Let us know what you would like to work on and we will be glad to partner with you.”

Communications Toolkit full of tips and information

Cheryl Williams, NmTC’s community relations manager, was a familiar face throughout the workshop, but she commanded attention when she launched the NmTC Communications Toolkit at the event.

“NmTC leaders indicated a desire to learn more about communications at past years’ workshops,” Williams said. “That’s why we are pleased to deliver this Toolkit to you today. The intention is for it to assist you in improving communications with a for our members.”

The Toolkit is a version, custom-built for NmTC, of the First Nations Communications Toolkit created in 2010 by Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada and the Tewanee Consulting Group of North Vancouver.

The 55-page Toolkit includes sections on communications planning as well as a variety of practical tools to use whether a nation is communicating with its own members or the entire world. It also contains a wealth of resources from on-line style books to training institutions.

The communications toolkit will also be available online after the workshop at www.nautsamawt.org

KLAHOWYA CONTEST RULES

We try to keep the rules as simple as possible!  This contest is meant to be fun and to give away free stuff to our members....

Rules:

The winner will be contacted by Cheryl Williams, Community Relations Manager NmTC.

There are no fees to participate.  The Contest is open to member nations of the Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council.  The 11 member First Nations are: Halalt, Homalco, Klahoose, Malahat, Sliammon, Snaw-naw-as, Snuneymuxw, Stz’uminus, Tsawwassen, Tseil-waututh, and T’sou-ke.  To be eligible to win, contestants must correctly answer the skill testing contest question (the answer can be found in one of the stories in the recent issue of the KLAHOWYA newspaper).

For Issues 1-5 the Prize awarded is an 8GB iPod, colours may vary, prize is as awarded. For Issue 6 the prize is an Apple iPad, prize is as awarded.

Winners will be selected randomly from qualifying entries received.  Winners will be contacted by telephone or email to notify and to arrange delivery of the prize.