Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Arctic Community Radio Information Hub for IPY Activities  (IPY Arctic Radio)

Outline
The Native Communications Society of the NWT (NCS) broadcasts aboriginal radio on CKLB 101.9 FM, in five Dene languages, to 30 NWT communities. There is a loosely knit network of 11 similar aboriginal radio stations across Canada with the same mandate. NCS proposes to set up a communications hub focusing on IPY activities and projects. IPY Arctic Radio will have a full-time staff member researching Arctic and Sub-Arctic issues and concerns, interviewing IPY project leaders and participants, and producing a weekly-radio program. This program will be made available at no charge to all northern and aboriginal broadcasters in Canada and across the Circumpolar world. A key component to IPY Arctic Radio is to have the program co-ordinator develop a network of contacts. The person also must have a fundamental understanding of the different northern radio markets across the Circumplar Arctic. This person will be able to work directly with the communications network of IPY. NCS will request funding to staff this position for three years, and for the creation/operation of a suitable office at NCS headquarters in Yellowknife, NWT. The potential candidate will answer to the NCS Executive Director, and all administration will be handled by NCS. To officially launch the program, NCS proposes to host an Arctic Communications Conference inviting Circumpolar Arctic broadcasters from around the world to Yellowknife to discuss IPY Arctic Radio, hear how broadcasting challenges are overcome in different regions, and ask for participation from those broadcasters. NCS would also like to set up ‘streaming audio’ of the CKLB 101.9 radio signal for Internet.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
IPY Arctic Radio will deliver essential information collected through the thousands of projects operating under the IPY umbrella to the people it matters most too, northerners. For IPY to have relevance, the findings made and conclusions reached must be packaged clearly and concisely and delivered efficiently to northern audiences. Radio in the northern regions continues to be one of the most effective methods of transmitting current, up-to-date information to remote areas. For IPY to truly be successful, the projects it sponsors must have the support of northerners. IPY Arctic Radio can assist in generating that support by delivering information in a meaningful way. The information packaged by IPY Arctic Radio can also be made available to schools and educational institutions across the Circumpolar Arctic.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
IPY Arctic Radio will work with radio stations throughout the Circumpolar Arctic and try and meet their needs whenever possible. All programming generated out of IPY Arctic Radio will be made available to those stations at no charge, and NCS forsees a international network developing that can be used for more than just IPY issues.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
The main office will be in Yellowknife, NWT, with information generated from that location being sent out across the globe.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: April 1/2008 – March 31/2010            
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
NCS currently owns a building in Yellowknife, but all available space is currently being used. NCS proposes funding to add office space to the current structure to accommodate IPY Arctic Radio. The adding of infrastructure has an added bonus of building capacity for NCS, which is a non-profit aboriginal radio society providing an essential service to the people of Denendeh. Other considerations include office equipment, and of course funding for the IPY Arctic Radio coordinator position. Administration and logistical support will be provided by NCS.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
Yes, the project will leave NCS with expanded infrastructure and create an information sharing network that has the potential to be a media outlet known for its ability to reach and deliver information to northern and remote Arctic communities.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
Consortium
National agency
Own support
Other sources of support

NCS would be looking to the Government of Canada for core funding, as well as approaching the Government of the Northwest Territories.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
No

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?
Yes

NCS is not aware of an IPY proposal that identifies communicating to Arctic communities through a radio network. NCS will be thrilled to work with other agencies working on IPY communications projects and allowing access to the network to anyone who wishes to communicate results, successes or educational material related to IPY or Arctic, Sub-Arctic issues.

How will the project be organised and managed?
Currently NCS has a staff of 11 broadcasters and support staff, 90 % of which is aboriginal. The project will be managed by NCS administration and all financials will be handled through our office. Audited financial statements will be prepared every year, and the IPY Arctic Radio coordinator will answer directly to the NCS Executive Director and/or NCS Board of Directors.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
This entire project is based on fulfilling all three issues outlined above. All information generated from the IPY Arctic Radio office will be used to educate, to reach out to remote communities and of course to communicate. The proposed Arctic Communications Conference is an excellent outreach initiative.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
All audio stories produced for broadcast will be saved and archived at NCS headquarters . This information will be made available on a website, and updated weekly.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
NCS will be looking to Canada’s IPY fund to provide the majority of the funds for this project. With a commitment from the federal government, it would make finding additional funding easier.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
IPY Arctic Radio has the potential to tie northern people together who often feel isolated and left out of the information loop. It can create dialogue around issues that are important to all Arctic peoples’, and get relevant, timely information directly to a wide northern audience.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Mr Dane Gibson
Native Communications Society of the NWT
4 Lessard Drive, Yellowknife, NT
X1A 2G5
Canada

Tel: 867-920-2277, ext. 101
Mobile: no
Fax: 867-920-4205
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation