Radio W orks

Radio has been a vital aspect of the imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival since its inception. In Canada as in many parts of the world, radio is a common, accessible medium through which Indigenous people communicate, entertain and educate. Each year the festival showcases a sampling of the best in Indigenous radio works from around the globe. This year, for our 10th anniversary, imagineNATIVE has selected five works by Canadian Indigenous radio producers. The diversity of these works emphasizes the continued vitality of radio as an important medium of creation and expression for Indigenous people across Canada.

The AVR Arts Review Bob Phillips Canada, 2009, Radio

A Canadian staple, “The AVR Arts Review” showcases Asani, a contemporary Indigenous women’s trio from Edmonton. Recorded during a performance in Toronto, vocalists Debbie Houle, Sarah Pocklington and Sherryl Sewepagaham discuss their various roles with insight and humour.

Toronto art critic Bob Phillips (Mic Mac) is a national writer and broadcaster. He has completed a Master’s degree in Fine Art History from York University and is currently doing his PhD in Indigenous Studies at Trent University.

The Plex Show Doug Bedard Canada, 2009, Radio

With his pulse on the latest in the hip-hop scene, Plex spins the best in Indigenous and global urban music. A mixture of cutting-edge cool and old school classics, “The Plex Show” is fast becoming one of Canada’s most popular hip-hop radio shows.

Originally from Edmonton, Doug Bedard (Cree) is a rising star on the Canadian hip-hop music scene. The Prairie Girl Show Niomi Pranteau Canada, 2009, Radio

Coming at you from CKON 97.3 FM in Akwesasne Mohawk Territory, host Niomi Pranteau – the Prairie Girl – introduces the best of Indigenous music artists from Canada and the United States.

Originally from Winnipeg, Niomi Pranteau (Cree/Ojibwe) is a radio producer with a passion for Indigenous music.

Revision Quest Wabanakwut Kinew Canada, 2009, Radio

Celebrated host Darrell Dennis is out to kick some assumptions about Indigenous people in Canada! Through interviews, comedy and personal observations, Dennis examines the hypothetical – and somehow logical – duel of Jesus vs. Nanabush.

Producer and musical artist Wabanakwut “Wab” Kinew (Ojibwe) is based in Winnipeg. Wab released his debut solo album, Live by the Drum, in early 2009.

The Susan Munroe Show Susan Munroe Canada, 2009, Radio

Host Susan Munroe introduces a Saulteaux-language retelling of the classic children’s tale The Three Little Pigs. Made on-reserve in Manitoba, “The Susan Munroe Show” showcases the vitality and humour that embodies Indigenous storytelling. “The Three Little Pigs” was created as an exercise between an Indigenous elder and youth to promote usage and preservation and to remind listeners of the inherent laughter in the Saulteaux language.

Susan Munroe (Saulteaux) is a provincially-honoured elementary school teacher based on the Lake St. Martin First Nation in Manitoba.