Wawatay Native Communications Society
Encyclopedia
Wawatay Native Communications Society (Wawatay for short) was formed in 1974 by the people of Northern Ontario
's Nishnawbe Aski Nation
, as a source of communications technology, namely radio, television, and print media services for the Oji-cree communities. Its mandate is to preserve the indigenous language
and culture in its service area. Wawatay's general office is located in Sioux Lookout, Ontario
, with bureaus in Timmins
and Thunder Bay
.
Wawatay's mission statement
says that they are “... dedicated to using appropriate technologies to meet the communication needs of people of Aboriginal ancestry in Northern Ontario, wherever they live.”
Wawatay is the primary source of news for the remote areas of Northern Ontario
. The name comes from the Oji-Cree word for the aurora borealis.
The Wawatay Radio Network (WRN; ᐙᐙᐦᑌ ᓇᐣᑐᐦᑕᒧᐎᐣ (Waawaate Nandotamowin); unpointed: ᐗᐗᑌ ᓇᑐᑕᒧᐎᐣ) is a network of radio stations that broadcasts news, talk, sports, local and popular music. Native language and English are both heard, often mixed together. In many NAN communities the local WRN transmitter the only station that can be picked up in the community without difficulty.
WRN operates the following stations:
WRN can also be heard nationwide on Bell TV channel 962.
Wahsa Radio is a network of radio stations that broadcasts educational distance learning and informational programming. The network is operated in conjunction with the the Northern Nishnawbe Education Council.
Wahsa Radio is heard on the following stations:
Wahsa Radio can also be heard nationwide on Bell TV channel 972.
.
Wawatay Television has produced many documentaries, children's programs such as Wawatay Kids TV
, and outdoor shows.
Northern Ontario
Northern Ontario is a region of the Canadian province of Ontario which lies north of Lake Huron , the French River and Lake Nipissing. The region has a land area of 802,000 km2 and constitutes 87% of the land area of Ontario, although it contains only about 6% of the population...
's Nishnawbe Aski Nation
Nishnawbe Aski Nation
Nishnawbe Aski Nation is a political organization representing 49 First Nation communities across Treaty 9 and Treaty 5 areas of northern Ontario, Canada...
, as a source of communications technology, namely radio, television, and print media services for the Oji-cree communities. Its mandate is to preserve the indigenous language
Oji-Cree language
The Severn Ojibwa or the Oji-Cree language is the indigenous name for a dialect of the Ojibwe language spoken in a series of Oji-Cree communities in northern Ontario and at Island Lake, Manitoba, Canada...
and culture in its service area. Wawatay's general office is located in Sioux Lookout, Ontario
Sioux Lookout, Ontario
Sioux Lookout is a town in Northwestern Ontario, Canada. It has a population of 5,336 and an elevation of 1280 ft / 390 m. Known locally as the "Hub of the North", it is serviced by the Sioux Lookout Airport, Highway 72, and the Sioux Lookout railway station...
, with bureaus in Timmins
Timmins
Timmins is a city in northeastern Ontario, Canada on the Mattagami River. At the time of the Canada 2006 Census, Timmins' population was 42,997...
and Thunder Bay
Thunder Bay
-In Canada:Thunder Bay is the name of three places in the province of Ontario, Canada along Lake Superior:*Thunder Bay District, Ontario, a district in Northwestern Ontario*Thunder Bay, a city in Thunder Bay District*Thunder Bay, Unorganized, Ontario...
.
Wawatay's mission statement
Mission statement
A mission statement is a statement of the purpose of a company or organization. The mission statement should guide the actions of the organization, spell out its overall goal, provide a path, and guide decision-making...
says that they are “... dedicated to using appropriate technologies to meet the communication needs of people of Aboriginal ancestry in Northern Ontario, wherever they live.”
Wawatay is the primary source of news for the remote areas of Northern Ontario
Northern Ontario
Northern Ontario is a region of the Canadian province of Ontario which lies north of Lake Huron , the French River and Lake Nipissing. The region has a land area of 802,000 km2 and constitutes 87% of the land area of Ontario, although it contains only about 6% of the population...
. The name comes from the Oji-Cree word for the aurora borealis.
Wawatay Radio
The society operates two radio networks:The Wawatay Radio Network (WRN; ᐙᐙᐦᑌ ᓇᐣᑐᐦᑕᒧᐎᐣ (Waawaate Nandotamowin); unpointed: ᐗᐗᑌ ᓇᑐᑕᒧᐎᐣ) is a network of radio stations that broadcasts news, talk, sports, local and popular music. Native language and English are both heard, often mixed together. In many NAN communities the local WRN transmitter the only station that can be picked up in the community without difficulty.
WRN operates the following stations:
- 89.9 CKWT-FMCKWT-FMCKWT-FM is a radio station of Wawatay Radio Network in Sioux Lookout, Ontario, Canada. The station airs a community programming format for First Nations, and serves much of Northwestern Ontario through a network of rebroadcast transmitters.-Rebroadcasters:...
Sioux Lookout, OntarioSioux Lookout, OntarioSioux Lookout is a town in Northwestern Ontario, Canada. It has a population of 5,336 and an elevation of 1280 ft / 390 m. Known locally as the "Hub of the North", it is serviced by the Sioux Lookout Airport, Highway 72, and the Sioux Lookout railway station...
with translator stations:- 89.9 CKMT-FM Attawapiskat
- 90.1 CFBL-FM Bearskin Lake
- 89.9 CJPS-FM Cat Lake
- 89.9 CKID-FM Constance Lake
- 90.1 CKDL-FM Deer Lake
- 90.1 CKFA-FM Fort AlbanyFort Albany, OntarioFort Albany First Nation is a community in within the Cochrane District of Northern Ontario, Canada. Situated on the southern shore of the Albany River, Fort Albany First Nation is only accessible by air or by winter road....
- 90.1 CKFS-FM Fort SevernFort Severn, OntarioFort Severn First Nation is located on Hudson Bay and is the most northern community in Ontario, Canada.As of 2001, the population was 401, consisting of 90 families in an area of 40 square kilometres...
- 90.1 CFKP-FM Kasabonika
- 90.1 CKAS-FM Kashechewan
- 90.1 CFKL-FM Kingfisher Lake
- 89.9 CFHL-FM Lansdowne House
- 105.1 CFMD-FM Muskrat Dam
- 90.1 CFNP-FM Naicatchewenin
- 89.9 CKFC-FM North Spirit Lake
- 89.9 CKWN-FM PeawanuckPeawanuck, OntarioPeawanuck is an isolated Cree community in the Kenora District, Ontario, Canada. It is located near the confluence of the Winisk and Shamattawa Rivers, about 35 km from the Winisk River's end in Hudson Bay. Its population is 139 ....
/WiniskWinisk, OntarioWinisk is a small ghost town in extreme Northern Ontario, situated along the Winisk River. It was destroyed in the 1986 Winisk Flood. After the flood, the town was re-located to Peawanuck, Ontario, 30 km inland.... - 90.1 CFBY-FM Poplar Hill
- 90.1 CFEY-FM Sachigo, Ontario
- 89.9 CHIX-FM Seine River
- 90.1 CHBJ-FM Slate Falls
- 89.9 CKYW-FM Summer Beaver
- 89.9 CHIO-FM Wapekeka
- 90.1 CHWL-FM Weagamow Lake
- 90.1 CKPN-FM Webequie
- 90.1 CHPM-FM Wunnumin Lake
WRN can also be heard nationwide on Bell TV channel 962.
Wahsa Radio is a network of radio stations that broadcasts educational distance learning and informational programming. The network is operated in conjunction with the the Northern Nishnawbe Education Council.
Wahsa Radio is heard on the following stations:
- 91.9 CIDE-FMCIDE-FMCIDE-FM is a Canadian First Nations radio station belonging to the Wawatay Native Communications Society, broadcasting at 91.9 FM in Sioux Lookout, Ontario. The station broadcasts distance education and informational programming through the Northern Nishnawbe Education Council...
Sioux Lookout, OntarioSioux Lookout, OntarioSioux Lookout is a town in Northwestern Ontario, Canada. It has a population of 5,336 and an elevation of 1280 ft / 390 m. Known locally as the "Hub of the North", it is serviced by the Sioux Lookout Airport, Highway 72, and the Sioux Lookout railway station...
with translator stations:- 91.9 CIDE-1 Bearskin Lake
- 91.9 CIDE-2 Big Trout Lake
- 91.9 CIDE-3 Cat Lake
- 91.9 CIDE-4 Deer Lake
- 91.9 CIDE-5 Fort SevernFort Severn, OntarioFort Severn First Nation is located on Hudson Bay and is the most northern community in Ontario, Canada.As of 2001, the population was 401, consisting of 90 families in an area of 40 square kilometres...
- 91.9 CIDE-6 Kasabonika
- 91.9 CIDE-21 Keewaywin
- 91.9 CIDE-7 Kingfisher Lake
- 91.9 CIDE-8 Lac Seul
- 91.9 CIDE-9 Muskrat Dam
- 91.9 CIDE-10 North Spirit Lake
- 91.9 CIDE-11 Osnaburgh
- 91.9 CIDE-12 Pikangikum
- 91.9 CIDE-13 Poplar Hill
- 91.9 CIDE-14 Sachigo
- 91.9 CIDE-15 Sandy Lake
- 91.9 CIDE-16 Slate Falls
- 91.9 CIDE-17 Wapekeka
- 91.9 CIDE-18 Weagamow Lake
- 91.9 CIDE-20 Webequie
- 91.9 CIDE-19 Wunnumin Lake
Wahsa Radio can also be heard nationwide on Bell TV channel 972.
Wawatay TV
Wawatay TV produces aboriginal TV productions which air nationally on the Aboriginal Peoples Television NetworkAboriginal Peoples Television Network
Aboriginal Peoples Television Network is a Canadian broadcast and cable television network. APTN airs and produces programs made by, for and about Aboriginal Peoples...
.
Wawatay Television has produced many documentaries, children's programs such as Wawatay Kids TV
Wawatay Kids TV
Wawatay Kids TV is a Canadian children's television program on the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network. It is geared to kids aged 5 to 10. The series is about a group of children who belong to "The Little Eagles" clubhouse. Each episode they are faced with a problem, and with the help of Sampson...
, and outdoor shows.