CIWE-FM

CIWE-FM (89.3 FM) is a radio station in Edmonton, Alberta. Owned by the Aboriginal Multi-Media Society (AMMSA), it broadcasts programming targeting northern Alberta's First Nations communities, with a primary alternative music format and specialty shows featuring indigenous music or presented in native languages. The tower, named for longtime AMMSA board member Noel McNaughten, is located 40 kilometres (25 mi) north of Spruce Grove.[1]

CIWE-FM
CityEdmonton, Alberta
Frequency89.3 MHz
BrandingThe Raven
Programming
FormatAboriginal community radio
Ownership
OwnerAboriginal Multi-Media Society
CFWE, CJWE-FM Calgary
History
First air date
February 1, 2021 (2021-02-01)
Call sign meaning
Disambiguation of CFWE-FM
Technical information
ClassC
ERP100.0 kW
HAAT153.7 metres (504 ft)
Transmitter coordinates
53°38′44.88″N 114°0′14.4″W
Links
Websiteravenradio.ca

History

Following the collapse of the Aboriginal Voices Radio Network (which broadcast on 89.3 MHz in Edmonton as CKAV-FM-4), the CRTC pursued new applicants for indigenous radio stations to fill its frequencies. The Aboriginal Multi-Media Society, owner of the Edmonton-based indigenous network CFWE, was granted stations in Calgary and Edmonton.[2] While the Calgary station would air a country format in the mold of CFWE, the proposed Edmonton outlet would be its opposite, playing "anything but country"—in the words of AMMSA founder Bert Crowfoot—as well as indigenous-language and indigenous music-oriented specialty programming.[1]

AMMSA prioritized constructing the Calgary station, CJWE-FM, which went on air in April 2018.[1][3] The wait would be nearly three years longer in Edmonton; CIWE had been planned to launch in April 2020,[1] but the COVID-19 pandemic prompted AMMSA to seek a one-year extension.[4][5]

CIWE-FM began broadcasting February 1, 2021, after transmitter tests began January 11.[1]

References
  1. Laskaris, Sam (January 13, 2021). "The Raven radio station hits the airwaves in February". Windspeaker Radio. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  2. "CRTC grants licences for five radio stations to serve indigenous people in urban centres country wide". Turtle Island News. Archived from the original on June 14, 2017. Retrieved June 15, 2017.
  3. "Indigenous radio returns to Calgary airwaves". CTV News Calgary. April 30, 2018. Retrieved July 26, 2019.
  4. Mertz, Emily (February 1, 2021). "New Indigenous radio station The Raven launches in Edmonton: 'It was emotional'". Global News. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  5. "Radio & Podcast News – Vista's new North Bay 'Oldies' station approved". Broadcast Dialogue. May 28, 2020. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  • CIWE in the REC Canadian station database
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