Canada: National Native radio to fill dead air
	Fri, 11 Feb 2000 23:50:41 -0500


Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit

Mon, 7 Feb 2000
Indian Country Today:

National Native radio to fill dead air
By Jamie Monastyrski
Today staff

TORONTO, Ontario - With a national Native television network in its infancy,
the power of Native culture is ready to take to the radio airwaves in a
broadcasting breakthrough unsurpassed in any country.

Aboriginal Voices Radio (AVR) has made a bid to the Canadian
Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) for a new radio
station in Toronto. If approved, the station will serve as the flagship for
Canada's national Aboriginal People's Radio Network.

The application to the national body that governs radio and television
licenses has received tremendous support nationally.

Gary Farmer (shown right), founder and publisher of Aboriginal Voices
magazine and spokesperson for the AVR board of directors has been a
proponent of Native radio for years and is close to seeing his dream come to
fruition.

"I'm really excited about the potential and community support we are
receiving," he said.

"There is so much to be gained. I believe the launch of this new radio
service will be a timely start to the new millennium as well work toward
greater peace and understanding."

Jump!FM will increase the diversity of radio programming available in the
Toronto market with a unique new multicultural style, say supporters.

There are more than 50,000 Native people in the city, yet the population is
virtually invisible in all forms of media according to Farmer.

Phil Fontaine, National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations that
represents 633 First Nations, has lent his full support to the initiative.

"By supporting this application we at the Assembly of First Nations truly
believe it will be a positive benefit to the Aboriginal community and
Canadian listeners," Fontaine said.

Other supporters include a black community magazine publisher who has agreed
to give $2 million over the next seven years to AVR. The only stipulation is
that AVR will receive the money if they, too, are granted a radio license.

Farmer said no other Canadian corporation has ever assisted Aboriginals in
broadcasting. "Without (them) Aboriginal Voices Radio would not presently be
moving forward with an application for licensing. The financing is in place
for us to play the game."

Fifteen other applications are being pitched to the CRTC. Companies granted
a license wouldn't be notified until April.

(c) 2000 Indian Country Today
 
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