Canadian radio broadcasters joining to amplify Indigenous voices with ‘A Day To Listen’

By CityNews Ottawa

In recognition of National Indigenous History Month, Rogers Sports & Media will be joining together with radio stations across Canada in an unprecedented collaboration to amplify, elevate, listen to, and learn from Indigenous voices with A Day to Listen on Wednesday, June 30.

In partnership with the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund (DWF), A Day to Listen is dedicated to sharing stories from Indigenous leaders, residential school survivors, elders, musicians, and teachers throughout the day from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time.

With more than 400 radio stations participating, spanning different markets, regions, and formats, A Day to Listen aims to leverage the power of radio to enact real change and begin to set a course for a better future.

The collaboration follows the public announcement that the remains of 215 children were buried at the site of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School.

“Many Canadians were shocked to learn of the remains of 215 children buried in Kamloops and now growing numbers at other residential school sites, something Indigenous communities have known – and shared – for years,” said Sarah Midanik, President & CEO, Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund.

“We hope that A Day to Listen, and the ongoing work that we do at DWF, begins a new chapter in our reconciliation journey so that no Canadian is ever shocked again by the horrors inflicted upon Indigenous Peoples.”

Canadians are invited to visit DWF throughout the day to learn more about their programming, including the Legacy Schools program, which provides educators with free resources to teach about the true history of residential schools. Donations will be accepted via text or by visiting local station websites.

The mission of DWF is to create a pathway toward 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
  • Thunder Bay Information Radio
  • Vista Radio Ltd.
  • Wellport Broadcasting Inc.

Rogers Sports & Media is the parent company of CityNews Ottawa & the Valley.

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