First Peoples representatives recommended that the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) establish an independent fund for Indigenous artists and music companies.
Makusham Musique and the Innu Band Council of Uashat mak Mani-utenam (ITUM) attended the CRTC’s public hearings on Monday to share their recommendations on the issue of indigenous music on commercial radio.
After reiterating their desire to introduce a 5 percent quota of Indigenous music in the rotation of major radio stations, they recommended to CRTC commissioners the creation of a fund to support the First Peoples’ music industry.
“This fund, which would be managed by and for Indigenous peoples, would aim to represent all Indigenous nations in Canada and create opportunities for Indigenous artists, supporting them in their projects and working on the “emergence of talent,” among other things,” we can read in a press release from ITUM.
Recall that in March last year, Mathieu McKenzie, co-owner of Makusham Musique, accompanied by his father Florent Vollant and members of ITUM, submitted a brief to the CRTC in support of the request to introduce a quota of indigenous music to commercial radio. A petition to this effect was also launched in August on the sidelines of the Innu Nikamu festival in Mani-utenam.
“By improving Indigenous representation in music and broadcasting, the CRTC would take concrete steps toward reconciliation that would also help restore the pride of our people while strengthening our native languages.”