Radio moves into communities

Page 3

Remote northern communities, isolated from friends and media, now have the opportunity to set up their own radio station and keep up with the lastest local news.

Joan Hinz is a community animator for the Native Perspective radio broadcasting network and works with communities interested in establishing their own radio stations.

Hinz says radio can benefit almost anyone and broadcasts can be aimed at any group.

Local businesses can gain from radio marketing because they can advertise to a "target audience."

For example, if a business person wanted to sell hockey sticks, an advertisement could be place din a time slot during a hockey game "because we know most of the audience will be hockey fans."

Hinz adds that community radio also has other attractions such as "radio bingo" which is being tested at a Lac La Biche community radio station.

The Lac La Biche station is the first project established by the Native Perspective, an independent department of the AMMSA. The Native Perspective trains radio personnel destined to go on to help communities form their own radio stations.

The Native Perspective is currently assisting three communities in the beginning stages of setting up their own radio stations. The communities are Assumption, Fort Vermilion and Wabasca.

Fort Vermilion Native Bridget Cardinal is receiving training at the Native Perspective and plans to use what she learns to establish and maintain a radio station in her home town.

"It will be a big plus for people that live outside of town like trappers and farmers because we can send them messages in an emergency situation such as a weather warning."

Hinz explains that the stations can send radio signals to a 25 mile radius, but adds that the distance can be lengthened by selecting a good location to set up the station. At Lac La Biche, for example, the station is located on a lake that "seems to carry radio signals farther."

Hinz is currently working on a manual to show communities the basic steps needed to set up a station. "But, before anything can be done, the community must decide if they are will to put in some hard work," she says, explaining that a community radio station needs volunteer help to be successful. Although very few community radio stations can afford to have paid employees "it's a good opportunity for people to get training and experience in the communications field."