Challenge:
The Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican Indians is a Native American Tribe located in a rural area of Northern Wisconsin. Although it had a successful gaming operation, and was the largest employer in the county, it did not have a positive or high profile locally. Additionally, from a state perspective, the Tribe was seldom contacted by the media regarding Native American issues and developments.
Solution:
Leonard & Finco Public Relations, Inc. was brought on board to work in two areas:
- Develop and implement a community education and outreach campaign including media relations
- Assist in hiring and then training a Tribal member to eventually handle public relations and communications work for the Tribe.
Over the course of several years, working closely with Tribal leadership, L&F helped establish positive relationships with local leaders and statewide media. This resulted in positive information and stories being shared with a broader constituency and helping to improve local relations. L&F also successfully set up a PR department; training the person who is currently the Tribe's public relations manager.
