Problem

Qutekcak Native Tribe provides cultural programs and social services that aid in the lives of Alaska’s first people in the Seward, AK area. The tribe, a nonprofit supported predominately by member dues and grants, seeks to instill pride in its cultural roots. Grant funding helped create a cultural learning center in 2009 with funds that would help increase awareness about the tribe and its successes. At the same time, the tribe needed to increase awareness of the support they provide in the local community.

Solution

Funds from the grant that created the center were diverted to establish a professional Web site for the tribe that includes information about history, cultural programs and member services. The site was created in such a way staff can easily keep it updated so it becomes a vibrant site members regularly use, and the community sees as a source of information about community activities. Because Qutekcak is difficult to spell, a new URL — sewardaknatives.com — was secured. A photo gallery, on Flickr, can be easily used by members and the community to keep track of tribal activities and demonstrate pride. The gallery includes historical and recent photographs so also becomes a record for members.

Results

The site launched recently but already has resulted in comments from tribal members. It is hoped that revisions to the newsletter and other cost-effective marketing tools can be completed in 2010. Google analytics will be reviewed as well.