Investing in Indigenous Language Through Radio

The Government of Canada announces funding to Ts?ilhqot'in Community Radio

WILLIAMS LAKE, BC, April 23, 2018 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, on behalf of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage, announced $180,500 in program funding to the Ts?ilhqot'in National Government for its Community Radio Project. The funding is being provided under the Northern Aboriginal Broadcasting component of the Aboriginal Peoples' Program.

Launched in December 2017, the Ts?ilhqot'in Community Radio project is a new platform for the Ts?ilhqot'in Nation to assist in the revitalization of their language and culture.

Ts?ilhqot'in Community Radio is based in Williams Lake and plans to provide its audience with access to a variety of programs in Ts?ilhqot'in, Carrier, Nuxalk and English, featuring language lessons and interviews; news and community updates; traditional stories and songs; music and comedy segments; and a community morning show. It broadcasts its radio programming to the six Ts?ilhqot'in communities in British Columbia.

Quotes

"Our government is taking concrete measures to protect Canada's Indigenous languages and culture. An investment in the Ts?ilhqot'in Community Radio Project goes beyond preserving a traditional language; it's about fostering a cultural space that allows the community to flourish and grow."

?The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage

"In order to survive, language and culture must be given a platform for others to hear and be immersed in them. Getting news or hearing music in your own language is something most Canadians take for granted, and I am proud that our government is investing in a project that brings this same experience to the Ts?ilhqot'in Nation."

?The Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

"The Ts?ilhqot'in Community Radio projects provides a place for our citizens to share their stories, their history and their culture in way that's accessible to them. The ability for our youth, or really anyone, to tune in and listen to this programming is going to have an effect on not only learning of the language, but learning of who we are as a Nation. Communication within the territory is a challenge with limited internet availability and no cell service. This funding received will work to launch the radio project but it is really just the tip of the iceberg. We look forward to negotiating enduring agreements that will ensure a strong and vibrant Tsilhqot'in language and culture for generations to come."

?Chief Joe Alphonse, Tribal Chairman, Ts?ilhqot'in National Government

Quick Facts

The Northern Aboriginal Broadcasting program supports Indigenous broadcasting societies to produce and distribute radio and television programming in the North. The objectives are:

• Support the production of culturally relevant Indigenous programming;
• Facilitate establishment and maintenance of production facilities;
• Ensure availability of a significant amount of radio and television programming;
• Contribute to the preservation and promotion of Indigenous languages and cultures; and
• Provide venues to articulate issues of relevance to Indigenous audiences and communities.

Applicants must be non-profit, democratically controlled, Indigenous organizations or working with Indigenous organizations that provide broadcast communications north of the 55^th parallel ("Hamelin Line").

The Ts?ilhqot'in National Government (TNG) is a not-for-profit Indigenous organization that operates a radio production and broadcasting facility in Williams Lake, BC. It strives to promote, protect and assist the activities and interests in broadcast communications for Ts?ilhqot'in communities located in British Columbia.

Associated Links

Ts?ilhqot'in National Government
Ts?ilhqot'in Community Radio Project 
Northern Aboriginal Broadcasting

SOURCE Canadian Heritage