State’s Only Indian Operated Radio Station at Risk of Closing

WQOW

When Republicans in Congress passed a bill to cut $1.1 billion in federal funding for NPR and PBS, NPR warned the move will hurt stations in rural communities the most. That appears to be what’s happening in Wisconsin.

WOJB broadcasts out of the Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe reservation near Hayward. It is the state’s only Native American tribal public radio station and the only station in Wisconsin listed as “at risk” without federal funding by Public Media Company.

WOJB airs local and national news, music, and local community programming. General manager Karl Habeck said the station is unique because of the bridge it builds between the Native and non-Native communities in northern Wisconsin. More

24 Comments on State’s Only Indian Operated Radio Station at Risk of Closing

  1. They can sell advertising …like every other station. A successful business model, or so I’ve been told; so long as their price structure doesn’t scalp the clients.

    20
  2. When I was in college, I worked part time for the AV department. We had a local radio station that was run and funded by students and faculty. The hours were limited and our playlists were Christian music (Christian College) and Professor interviews.

    We did have some ads for student activities and some local businesses, but that’s all I remember.

    If a radio station has content that people want, they will survive.

    17
  3. How many highly-paid professionals work at that station?

    Here is their playlist. https://spinitron.com/WOJB/

    I don’t see a lot of tribal programming there. They say they are listener supported. If cutting off federal funding is going to sink them, then the listeners must not be supporting them all that much.

    13
  4. BTW, the full name is Sevenwinds Casino, Lodge, and Conference Center. The radio station cost is puny compared to the casino etc. take. The tribe could easily pick up the tab, but, No! White man gotta pay.

    23
  5. Got a soft spot for American Indians. Poor dumb bastards. I mean really, what are beads actually worth? Anyway when I was around 12 the family was up in Northern Idaho on vactaion. We were on the rez at a store and I spotted a pocket knife I really wanted. Dad wasn’t going for it until the big ass Injun dude asked, how old is he? My dad responded 12. Injun dude says well then he’s old enough for a knife. Pops bought me the knife. Still have it. Better times.

    23
  6. “PALEFACE speak with BULLSHIT on breath!”

    Da fuck wrong with you man? You think all of us pale faces are sucking on a steers ass. I’ll have you know the only time most of us do that is when we have chapped lips. Got it? lol

    2
  7. Theres a public radio station out here that does bluegrass and stuff from local sources – literally zero news or politics. WDVX I listen occasionally, it really is totally apolitical. They’ve been bitching they lost 100k in funding from that bill. While I lament they have to do more fundraising, as a taxpayer, I agree that listeners should foot the bill.
    If the injuns want their radio station, make the casino’s pay for it.

    7
  8. I can only imagine the godawful “music” which emanates from this radio station…Hours of “hey-ya-ho-wa-hi-ya-ho-wa”, probably with dulcimer, saxophone and trombone bumpers. For the love of the great spirit, shut it down.

    4
  9. WOJB, fund it with Casino profits or other give away programs of the federal funds you receive.

    The white guilt funding has been stretched too far for those of us who pay for it. This guilt trip has run its course, end it.

    2
  10. If it’s so important, why don’t either the Seven Winds Lodge (casino) or Grindstone Creek Casino (actually on the reservation) pick up sponsoring the PBS channel?

Comments are closed.