Request for Information on Recordings of Songs in Indigenous Languages

[Kingston, Deanna]

Hi Heather,
This is not exactly what you've requested, but it's similar and may help your friend.  In Nome, Alaska, KNOM (and I think KICY, but I don't listen to that one) is a volunteer-run "mission" radio station.  They are affiliated with the Catholic Church and Catholics from all over the nation come to live in Nome for a year or more to run the station.  My community converted to Catholicism (while retaining many of their own traditions) in the early 20th century, so almost all King Islanders listen to KNOM.

The reason why I bring this up is that KNOM has done a wonderful job in incorporating local Alaska Native music into their programming.  It's a cool station - you might hear Classic Rock, then the King Islanders singing their shaman song, then country, then the St. Lawrence Islanders singing something.  They also do all the usual news and weather, etc.  Anyway, they may be someone to contact in terms of how they have handled gaining permission to play the indigenous music (usually the music was recorded at a public event) and as a volunteer station, KNOM doesn't make money, so King Islanders and others allow their songs to be played.  Here's the website:  http://www.knom.org/.

I just looked at their website and they do have audio files of Alaska Native music on the site . . . maybe it's something to look at.
Deanna


On 2/2/10 9:54 AM, "Heather Souter" <hsouter at GMAIL.COM> wrote:

Taanshi,

A friend is starting a FNMI (First Nations, Metis and Inuit) focus/perspective "issues radio show" at our university (University of Lethbridge).  We have been talking about the need to get our languages out into the air more.  We have talked about the possiblity of including our  languages through mini-lessons, short interviews with Elders, etc.? in the programming AND music-- sung in the languages spoken by our peoples (in Canada and the US) and those of other indigenous peoples (especially when global issues are being addressed).  (There is the possiblity of the program being picked up for a wider (national!) broadcast  depending on how things go...!)  And, since the program, no matter what eventually happens, is so important, I have offered to do all I can to help.  However since in reality I can do and know so little.  I am coming to you for help.  I am so grateful I am not  not alone in wanting to use technology (both old and new!) to promote our languages/cultures!

So, if you have stories to share about running radio programs or  you have names of people (professional and just ordinary folks) who sing in their languages and information about how we could contact them or hear/obtain their music (email, websites, facebook, youtube, etc.), please send them to me and I will pass them on.  ( I am copying this email to my friend and  will ask my friend if she wants to join ILAT.)

Kihchi-marsii!   Thank-you very much!

Eekoshi pitamaa. That is all for now.
Heather






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