Siksika Nation tunes in o CFWE

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The installation of a transmitting dish as given Native radio to residents of the Siksika Nation. It's also given residents of the southern Alberta reserve an opportunity to develop their own programming.

Siksika Nation received the first transmissions from CFWE-FM in Lac la Biche on the afternoon of April 23, CFWE is a counterpart of Windspeaker in the Aboriginal Multi-Media Society of Alberta (AMMSA).

AMMSA general manager Bert Crowfoot said the installation is an excellent step into getting into community radio, especially with the Native content of the three daily CFWE newscasts from 6-9 a.m., a noon broadcast and a news hour at 5 p.m.

"Our programs are a wrap-around," he explained.

The Blackfoot Band pumped its own money into the project, said Chief Strator Crowfoot.

"If we rely on outside resources (the federal or provincial government), we might be waiting forever," he said, noting band members couldn't wait. "It's a critical problem not having enough information."

The band has big plans for the station, Chief Crowfoot said. It will be used to broadcast programs to reinforce the Blackfoot language and culture taught in the local school and may be made available to special interest groups.

"We're just starting up and have set aside tribal funds to facilitate the station's development," he said.

"There could be call-in shows to get feedback (on local Native issues)," said Crowfoot. "There's all kind of possibilities there,"

It will eventually become a full-fledged station. The station already has a full-time employee. In the future other part-time and volunteer positions will open up.