CKWE-FM

On March 18th, the CRTC heard an application from Jean-Guy Whiteduck on behalf of the River Desert Indian Band for a license for an English (70%) and Algonquin-language (30%) FM radio station to be located at the River Station Reserve in Maniwaki, Quebec. This was a Reserve of the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation, an Algonquin band.
On April 21st the CRTC granted the application. The station would broadcast on 103.9 MHz, with an effective radiated power of 50 watts. The new station would provide locally produced programming designed to serve the needs of the Reserve, and would feature 4 hours of public affairs programming, 3 hours of educational programs, 3 hours of local events and sports and 1.5 hours of news per week.

There would be no commercial activity, and  the applicant had undertaken to publicize an access policy so as to ensure that band members understand both the concept of community access and the procedures for participation.

On September 24th, after having been called both Maniwaki and River Desert,  the Reserve was given the name Kitigan Zibi (which meant Garden River) to replace the other two, when the band council gave this title to the Reserve.

On March 18th, after a series of short-term renewals,  CKWE-FM was given a further one-year administrative renewal to bring it into line with other native radio programming undertakings. The Commission said it was granting these administrative renewals in order to consider the renewal of these licences following a review of its native broadcasting policy.

On June 15th the CRTC renewed CKWE-FM’s licence for a seven year period to expire on August 31st 2008.  The Commissioned noted that CKWE-FM had been broadcasting 27 hours and 30 minutes per week of local programming, of which 13 hours and 45 minutes were in Algonquian and 13 hours and 45 minutes in English.

In Public Notice CRTC 2001-70 released on the same day, the Commission introduced changes to conditions of licence for some native radio undertakings. The Commission would no longer impose limits on the advertising broadcast by native radio stations and networks. However, it required that they broadcast a Canadian content level of at least 35% in popular (category 2) music. Consequently, it was a condition of licence that the licensee should devote a minimum of 35% of all Category 2 musical selections broadcast, during each broadcast week, to Canadian selections.

On July 15th, the CRTC said that it had received an application from Eleanor Whiteduck, to renew the licence of the Type B community native radio programming undertaking CKWE-FM, Maniwaki, which was expiring on 31 August 2008.

On September 29th, the CRTC announced the renewal of CKWE-FM’s licence for a further period to August 31st 2015.

Station slogan: Catch It Hear It, Feel It, CKWE 109.3 FM.