Indigenous Peoples are the guardians of their stories. Support for Indigenous broadcasting in the North is an essential tool for empowering them to tell these stories, preserve their cultures and identities, and advance reconciliation.
Today, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages, announced funding totalling $17.2 million over two years for the production and broadcasting of Indigenous audio and video content. The Government of Canada is providing this support through the Northern Aboriginal Broadcasting component of the Indigenous Languages Program.
The funding includes $872,262 over two years for the Native Communications Society of the Northwest Territories, which preserves, vitalizes and promotes the languages, cultures and heritage of the Dene Peoples. Their focus is on traditional storytelling and culturally appropriate programming, including news, weather and events/local gatherings. Through their radio station, CKLB 101.9 FM, they broadcast in multiple Dene languages six days a week.
