Collaborative Communication: Co-Producing Communication Strategies With Tribal Partners in Northeast Oklahoma
A conference paper in the International Crisis and Risk Communication Association Reports explores how culturally adaptive communication strategies can strengthen risk perception, response, and communication in Indigenous communities facing growing environmental hazards, using the Wyandotte Nation of Oklahoma as a case study. The paper, led by graduate student Parker King (University of Alabama) under the direction of Principal Investigator Dr. Mike Fedoroff (University of Alabama), with contributions from GRI’s Sr. Research Scientist Dr. Kristin Raub, used innovative storytelling approaches like ArcGIS StoryMaps to showcase a “journey through the rivers” and the risks tribes face.
Preliminary results indicate a strong positive reception by both the Wyandotte Nation and NOAA, as well as increasing visibility, with the StoryMap and accompanying documentary reaching over 790 views. The paper demonstrates that co-production, trust-building, and place-based knowledge are essential for developing effective communication tools that resonate with tribal communities. This scalable framework not only offers a tangible benefit to the Wyandotte Nation but also holds the potential for broader applications across NOAA and risk communication.
This research represents part of the broader CIROH-funded study entitled, “Modeling Community Trust: A Collaborative Approach to Scoping Water Forecasting Needs and NOAA Product Use in Indigenous Communities of Northeast Oklahoma”