Indigenous radio station in Manitoba celebrates 50 years
An Indigenous radio station is celebrating 50 years on the air in Manitoba.
NCI-FM (Native Communications Incorporated) has been broadcasting in the province since 1971.
On Friday, NCI-FM CEO David McLeod said when modern technology like radio and television started broadcasting in northern Manitoba, it was lacking Indigenous voices.
“There was no representation of who Indigenous people were,” McLeod said. “People saw that need and recognized it.”
NCI-FM started as a grassroots initiative in September 1971 to provide Indigenous language and cultural programming to northern Manitoba.
The non-profit public broadcaster now has 57 transmitters throughout the province and NCI-FM is the largest Indigenous radio network in Canada.
“At the end of the day, it’s not about the equipment,” McLeod said. “It’s about connecting with people.”
McLeod said he credits NCI’s success with its ability to share stories and issues through Indigenous voices.
“People can reflect, they can hear themselves,” he explained. “When it comes from our community, there’s a different grasp or understanding.”
NCI-FM celebrated its 50th anniversary at its Winnipeg-based station with the unveiling of a new mural and a live performance from Cree recording artist Ernest Monias.
- With files from APTN's Michelle Karlenzig
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. seeks ban on using drugs in 'all public spaces,' shifting approach to decriminalization
The B.C. government is moving to have drug use banned in 'all public spaces,' marking a major shift in the province's approach to decriminalization.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.