CFWE powers up with 100,000-watt signal

Page 2

What started as a distant dream has become a reality for the Aboriginal Multi-Media Society of Alberta (AMMSA), publishers of Alberta Sweetgrass and owner-operators of CFWE, the Native Perspective, an Aboriginal radio station that can be heard across the province.

Now the CFWE signal can be heard clearer and stronger than ever before in the Bonnyville/St. Paul area and for 200 km around, with the installation of a new 400 ft. tower and 100,000 watt signal at Moose Hills.

Plans for the tower began 10 years ago in a company goal setting session. At that time the area was dotted with 10 small 10-watt transmitters that only sent the signal for 10 to 20 kilometres. When someone had the big idea to put out 100,000 watts of power, the idea was thought to be impossible.

"At that time we said it'll never happen," said AMMSA CEO Bert Crowfoot. "We put it aside and we looked at the other goals that we had that we thought were more achievable and feasible."

The idea sat on a shelf, and as the years progressed and radio achieved a certain success, the big idea that would never happen became more of a possibility. And a few years ago, plans were set in motion to finance the project. Funds were set aside from radio revenues, and a proposal was made to Aboriginal Business Canada (ABC) to help with costs.

On Sept. 26, the Moose Hills site was officially powered up with a sweetgrass ceremony conducted on-site by Elder Joe P. Cardinal. An on-site ribbon cutting ceremony and feast was attended by members of the board and staff of AMMSA, their guests, and a representative from ABC, a partner in the tower becoming a reality.

"The goal has always been to provide the best service that we can for our listeners," said Crowfoot.

Now people in the area can drive around all day without losing or switching channels. This will allow CFWE to improve the quality of its service to the people in the area, and also plan to make improvements to its signal in other areas of the province in years to come.

Coming up in the next two months is a new tower in Fort McMurray, and within the next two to three years, towers that will located just outside of Edmonton and Calgary to serve the bands located on the outskirts of the urban areas. And then one in the Grand Prairie area. After that, improvements will be made in the High Level/Peace River area.

CFWE can be heard at 96.7 FM in the area of the new tower. Check the CFWE Web page at www.ammsa.com for channels in other areas of the province.