CHFN-FM

The Cape Croker Board of Education first put together a proposal for a local radio station.

Project development for a possible station began.

On September 13, a licence for an English and Native language FM station was awarded to the CHFN Communications Society, Cape Croker Reserve #27 at Wiarton. The station would operate on 100.3 MHz with an effective radiated power of 50 watts. Antenna height would be 60 metres (EHAAT).

CHFN-FM began broadcasting on 100.1 MHz in June (not the earlier authorized 100.3 MHz). It was known as “Your First Nation Station on the Bruce Peninsula”. The non-profit community station provided training and employment to Chippewas of Nawash individuals who wished to learn about broadcasting or the aboriginal radio industry. Equipment for the station was second hand from the CBC.

CHFN’s original licence was allowed to expire due to a management change that left the station without direction.

On January 14, the CRTC approved the application by Jessica Nadjiwon, on behalf of a non-profit corporation to be incorporated, for a broadcasting licence to operate a Native Type B English-and Ojibway-language FM radio station in Cape Croker (Neyaashiinigmiing), Ontario. The station would offer 126 hours of programming in each broadcast week. The applicant planned to include a minimum of 52 hours of station-produced programming of which at least 6 hours 30 minutes would be in the Ojibway language. At least 20% of the music aired in each broadcast week would be composed and/or performed by Aboriginal artists. In order to promote and develop Aboriginal musical talent, the applicant would assist artists in the creation of demonstration recordings and would air these recordings. The station would host live concerts for local talent and other Canadian musicians and promote these events through advertising and other marketing tools. The applicant stated that it would provide culturally relevant programming by broadcasting local and national Aboriginal news and programs on issues relevant to the Ojibway people. The station would operate at 100.1 MHz (channel 261A1), with an effective radiated power of 72 watts. The licence would expire 31 August 2009.

CHFN returned to the air.

On December 17, the CRTC administratively renewed CHFN’s licence until 31 May 2010.

On June 30, the CRTC renewed the broadcasting licence for the Native English-and Ojibway-language Type B radio station CHFN-FM Cape Croker from 1 July 2010 to 31 August 2013. This short-term licence renewal will enable the Commission to review, at an earlier date, the licensee’s compliance with the Radio Regulations, 1986. In Broadcasting Notice of Consultation 2009-786, the Commission stated that the licensee may have failed to comply with section 9(2) of the Radio Regulations, 1986, which relates to the provision of annual returns, for the 2005, 2006 and 2008 broadcast years.