Cree radio is back on the air in Whapmagoostui. Or at least it was until the Goose Break. The community radio station had to shut its doors on July 1 after it ran out of money. It had to stop holding fundraising bingos before Christmas because of a threatening letter from the Sûreté du Québec. The letter politely reminded the station that it may need a license from the Quebec government for the bingos.
Bingos fund all sorts of community programs, like radio, throughout Cree land, and in most First Nations in Quebec.
Virtually none have licenses.
The Whapmagoostui band has been working full time to come up with a way to fund the radio. The band is considering passing a bylaw by itself to temporarily authorize bingo fundraising. Getting a license from Quebec would take two years, said one official. “We can’t wait two years.”
Penniless, the radio has managed to remain on the air without any money since early August, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
