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April 28, 2024
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Tribal Scene Radio makes its debut on KBGA Missoula, 89.9 FM

Jodi Rave Spotted Bear
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jodi@imfreedomalliance.org https://twitter.com/JodiRave
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Rebecca Clarren’s next stop on her book tour for “The Cost of Free Land” is Bismarck on April 29, where she’ll be having a reading and open discussion about the dispossession of Indigenous land. Photo by Shelby Brakken, photo courtesy of Rebecca Clarren

four winds radio
Last fall, Gary Farmer visited the University of Montana campus. He noted the lack of a Native radio program after he asked Fredericka Hunter if there was a place to play his music. Later, he recounted that story while speaking at an evening event. I was in the audience. I thought, he’s making a good point about the importance of having Native voices on the airwaves. So, I raised my hand, got his attention and told Farmer, I’d check into getting a radio program going. I did. We are finally up and running after I put in an application to get a show on the air, the very first Native-themed program for KBGA on 89.9 FM. Here’s the link to Tribal Scene Radio.

I’ve posted a link here to last week’s show. The show this Friday will also be linked and archived on the KBGA Web site.

So far, it’s been a blast. I love being in the studio, interviewing guests, listening to new music and playing around with sound software. I look forward to putting together some great visual-radio pieces. I’ve already had three amazing guests on the show. First up was Gary Farmer who spoke about community radio. He’s one super smart guy. Next up is Dr. Arne Vainio, who made a documentary called “Walking into the Unknown.” He was a superb storyteller, great radio voice, too. He will be on the show Friday, March 12. Sam McCracken, Nike’s general manager for Native programs, was in the studio this week. He will be on the show next Friday. Since I’m new at radio, I expect there will be great changes in the program as we all learn this new medium. I’ve had some welcomed assistance from many people, including students and the managers at KBGA. Clark Grant, you are stellar! Thanks for all the help mister.

That’s all for now, folks!

Jodi Rave

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Jodi Rave Spotted Bear
jodi@imfreedomalliance.org https://twitter.com/JodiRave

Jodi Rave Spotted Bear is the founder and director of the Indigenous Media Freedom Alliance, a 501-C-3 nonprofit organization with offices in Bismarck, N.D. and the Fort Berthold Reservation. Jodi spent 15 years reporting for the mainstream press. She's been awarded prestigious Nieman and John S. Knight journalism fellowships at Harvard and Stanford, respectively. She also an MIT Knight Science Journalism Project fellow. Her writing is featured in "The Authentic Voice: The Best Reporting on Race and Ethnicity," published by Columbia University Press. Jodi currently serves as a Society of Professional Journalists at-large board member, an SPJ Foundation board member, and she chairs the SPJ Freedom of Information Committee. Jodi has won top journalism awards from mainstream and Native press organizations. She earned her journalism degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder.

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1 Comment

  • Abena Songbird
    March 12, 2010 at 2:29 pm

    This was a great first show, conversation Jodi! Glad Gary spoke of Aboriginal Radio/Voices and Dr. Daniel WIldcat and his work – Red Alert!. We’re hoping to bring him for the Green Energy Conference, if not this year at SD School of Mines, then future year.

    Great program!

    Gary was a good blues harp player even then in Toronto in 1998 @ Aboriginal Voices Festival – jammin’ at The Colored Stone!

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