It was January of 1984 when the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) approved an application to obtain a license for an English and native-language FM radio station in Whitehorse, according to CHON-FM’s website. The license was slated to expire three odd years later in September of 1987, but this meant the Commission could consider renewing the license along with other regional FM radio stations. From here, CHON-FM was born.
40 years on, CHON-FM is still going strong as the Yukon’s only First Nation-dedicated broadcaster. Its satellite-delivered radio network broadcasts on 98.1 FM in Whitehorse, and 90.5 FM in most other Yukon communities, as well as parts of Northern BC and Western NWT. The station also streams live online all day every day.
As per the station’s website, CHON-FM is owned and operated by Northern Native Broadcasting Yukon (NNBY), is a not-for-profit society with a mandate to “to protect, encourage, enhance and perpetuate the language and culture of Yukon First Nations people on a local, national and international level.”
The CHON-FM radio network has a studio with production, transmission and satellite distribution facilities in Whitehorse, and 27 rebroadcast sites around the Yukon, northern BC and NWT. These rebroadcast sites consist of satellite ground stations, satellite receivers, decoders, transmitters and towers with antennas.
Run by a small but dedicated team, with a management department of only three people and a board of three directors, plus a handful of reporters and show hosts, CHON-FM is a pillar of the culture of the north, running regular segments such as Cool Country Morning, Indigenous Connections, Rock the Talk with the Grand Chief and many others, while also reporting on relevant news and current affairs.
CHOM-FM will be celebrating its history and honouring its legacy and all those who have contributed to its 40 strong years with an all-day outdoor concert on September 21 in Shipyards Park. Many locally known acts will grace the stage, with the event running all the way from 1 until 9 pm. While more details are yet to be revealed and there may even be some surprises on the day, it is sure to be a fun-filled time for lovers of music, arts and community. Some CHON-FM alumni will be participating in the event, highlighting the importance of all past contributions over these four decades.
According to the event advertising, “The CHON-FM 40th Anniversary Concert will celebrate the past and future of Indigenous radio in the north. Headliners include The C-Weed Band and Boogey The Beat. And Yukon favourites including Dena Zagi, Yukon Jack, Henry Nukon, and Benchuck (Ben Charlie). CHON-alumni, especially those who built it from the ground up 40 years ago will be honoured.”
To learn more about the history of CHON-FM, its current programming and to find more details about the 40th anniversary celebration concert and purchase tickets, visit https://www.chonfm.com.
