Communicating Diversity through Diversity: Expanding the Communications Toolbox

The Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (CRITFC) is the supporting and coordinating agency for the fisheries management policies for the four Columbia River Treaty Tribes; the Umatilla, Yakama, Nez Perce and Warm Springs. CRITFC is governed by the tribes’ fish and wildlife committees and have developed the capacity to implement fishery programs as co-managers across their ancestral homelands that collectively stretch over one-third of the entire Columbia River Basin in the United States (66,591 square miles).

CRITFC strives to serve diverse audiences over multiple landscapes that include tribal communities, the general public and tribal fishers living along the Columbia River. In order to effectively communicate with these audiences CRITFC utilizes a diverse set of communication tools. Social media and film have joined mainstream media outlets as important components in the communication efforts.  While each tool serves different purposes and accomplishes a variety of goals, they still serve the broader purpose of promoting the work of CRITFC and the four member tribes, as well as highlighting the challenges facing Columbia Basin fish populations.