While the discovery of the remains of Indigenous children in Kamloops has opened the eyes of many Canadians to atrocities that Indigenous communities have known about for years, awareness and education at scale is still required.
In response, on Indigenous People’s Day, and in recognition of National Indigenous History Month, radio broadcasters across Canada have announced A Day to Listen, a initiative in partnership with the Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund (DWF) positioned to share stories from Indigenous leaders, residential school survivors, elders, musicians and teachers.
The reportedly unprecedented collaboration consists of over 400 radio stations spanning different markets, regions and formats. Participating radio broadcasters include Bell Media, Corus Entertainment Inc., Rogers Sports & Media, Stingray Radio, and more, to amplify the message on Wednesday, June 30, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. (local time).
The mission of DWF is to create a pathway towards reconciliation, and to improve the lives of Indigenous people by building awareness, education, and connections between all Canadians.
Radio stations participating in A Day to Listen include those from:
- Aboriginal Multi-Media Society of Alberta
- Acadia Broadcasting Limited
- Arctic Radio
- Bayshore Broadcasting
- Bell Media
- Blackburn Radio Inc.
- ByrnesMedia Inc.
- Centre Wellington Community Radio Inc.
- Central Ontario Broadcasting
- CINB-FM Communications Inc.
- Coast Broadcasting Ltd.
- Corus Entertainment Inc.
- Durham Radio Inc.
- First Peoples Radio Inc.
- Five Amigos Broadcasting Inc.
- Golden West Broadcasting
- Harvard Broadcasting
- Huber Radio Ltd.
- Kahnawake Broadcasting Services
- My Broadcasting Corporation
- Northern Native Broadcasting
- Pattison Media
- Quinte Broadcasting
- Radio Fanshawe Inc.
- Rawlco Radio
- The Rock 98.5
- Rogers Sports & Media
- Saugeen Community Radio Inc.
- Starboard Communications
- Stingray Radio
- Thunder Bay Information Radio
- Vista Radio Ltd.
- Wellport Broadcasting Inc.
