Native people know a thing or two about myths and legends.

The Crow Nation tells of the Legend of Crazy Woman’s Fork. The malevolent Wendigo is a mythological creature originating from the folklore of the North American Algonquin Tribes. And Tribal Nations all across the United States and Canada share some version of the Myth of the Thunderbird.

Throughout human history—Native American, European, and everywhere across the globe—myths have existed to explain the unexplained, to teach lessons, to illicit a sense of awe, and to provide definition and identity. Defined as a set of stories, traditions, or beliefs associated with a particular group or the history of an event, arising naturally or deliberately fostered, mythology is a vital feature of any culture.

And that includes the culture of the Internet.

“For Native Tribes, it is absolutely essential to not allow this digital mythology to interfere with our ability to unleash the full and awesome power of digital communication.”

 

In many of its forms, myths serve as cautionary tales or warnings that establish collective norms and mores, that maintain the societal order, and that help shape the character of the culture. And, like those ancient myths, this modern Internet mythology—or digital mythology, if you will—can act as warning or restraint to discourage, dissuade, and deter those who might dare to fly too high.

This digital mythology colors how we understand everything from the basic Website to the “rules” of social media.  It impacts our approach to Web design and content, media, and outreach.  And it often dictates what strategies and tactics we pursue in order to fulfill our goals and objectives from everything from PR to marketing to politics and advocacy.

For Native Tribes, it is absolutely essential to not allow this digital mythology to interfere with our ability to unleash the full and awesome power of digital communication.

Over the course of nearly two decades of working with partners of every kind—associations, advocacy groups, and Native Tribes all across the country—we have seen first-hand how digital mythology can prevent even the largest and most powerful partners from using simple, accessible strategies to leverage, exploit, and unleash the power of the Internet in all its forms.

We have seen how high-priced consultants perpetuate myths of complexity and incomprehensibility in order to maintain a steady flow of lucrative business.

We have seen how competitive interests from fields like traditional media or print try to protect their turf with myths of Web inaccessibility and ineffectiveness.

And we have seen how even the most well-meaning and well-qualified leaders and professionals can allow outdated facts or misconceptions to become self-perpetuating myths.

But they are only myths.

And overcoming those myths can allow you to grow, empower, and galvanize your organization in ways you may never have imagined.

Over the years, we have worked with our partners to dispel those myths and apply simple, innovative strategies to help them succeed in countless ways.  Significant improvements in the efficiency and effectiveness of member outreach.  Huge strides in member activism. Radical growth in communications and engagement capacity. Legislative and political victories. The ability to shift and shape public opinion.  And so much more.  And all of that was made possible by simply not allowing the myths to stop them from succeeding.

Your Tribal government or business can be just as successful.

So, allow us to play myth-buster for you!

In the coming weeks, we will post a series of articles to identify and dispel some of the most common myths about Web-based communications and engagement that stop Tribal governments, businesses, and advocacy groups like yours from succeeding.  We will introduce you to a number of extraordinarily innovative and effective strategies that you can employ once you have disavowed those myths.  And we will provide several tips that you can use in your own digital program to help you be more successful.

Now, if you don’t want to wait, contact us at chris@visuality.com, and we will be happy to speak with you about how our ideas and approach might help you achieve your goals.

Otherwise, watch this space, and we will endeavor to give you the information, tools, and confidence to help you break free of the shackles of doubt and uncertainly and allow your Tribe or organization to harness the full power of your Tribal PR | Media | Advocacy!