I believe that many First Nations communities can benefit from investing into Public Relations within their community.

In response to researching reputation, Forbes article on Reputation management, I found this article called The 11 Unwritten Laws of Reputation Management. I also came across a blog on Facebook, found on TBK Creative’s website (Click HERE to view it).

There is one thing that both articles/blogs have in common. This commonality is this: if you don’t create or make your own reputation, others will create it for you. I believe that if First Nations communities (specifically their Chiefs and Councils), the ones with the resources and people power, begin to invest or at least learn the ins-and-outs of “reputation management” or “public relations” or “social media,” First Nations communities may just begin to be seen in a more positive light. Sounds good. But what does this mean? Well, as a First Nations member, I have heard or witness a variety of things relating to the perception of First Nations people by other First Nations or Non-First Nations. Some of these things are good, or positive. Others, not so positive (negative).

If First Nations can create their own reputation, why not? Instead of letting the general Canadian population do it for them. This type of behavior can be witnessed on any discussions/replies in response to Globe and Mail articles that focus on Aboriginal issues. Some of the uneducated comments that were alive 25 years ago, are still alive today. It saddens me.

If First Nations take the step forward by learning the benefits of investing into public relations, they may be able to better their own reputation within Canadian Society and perhaps garden and grow some positive public responses to their issues and needs.

This is just my opinion.

I know that not all First Nations have the resources or people power to put time and effort into this type of thing. Yet, I believe team work is key. Please read my post titled 1/2 The Solution on my opinion on having First Nations working together to help one another.