TORONTO – In recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Sept. 30, radio broadcasters across Canada are coming together once again to elevate Indigenous voices with A Day to Listen 2023.
This special 12-hour broadcast is produced by the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund (DWF) in partnership with Orbyt Media. It will air on nearly 500 Canadian radio stations on Saturday, Sept. 30 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. (local time).
Radio broadcasters who will carry the broadcast on some of their stations include Acadia Broadcasting, Bell Media, Corus Entertainment, Evanov Communications, First Peoples Radio, Golden West Broadcasting, Jim Pattison Group, Rogers Sports and Media, Stingray Group and Vista Radio, as well as several independents such as Bayshore Broadcasting, Blackburn Media and My Broadcasting Corporation, along with community and campus radio stations. A full list of participating stations is available here.
Singer-songwriter William Prince is returning to host the special for the second year, and will be joined by new co-hosts singer-songwriter Aysanabee and ShoShona Kish of the band Digging Roots. Together, the hosts will share stories and interviews from Indigenous community leaders, artists and creators, explains a press release on Tuesday from participating broadcaster Bell Media.
This year’s theme is “Mino Bimaadiziwin: Honouring Indigenous Identity”. Mino Bimaadiziwin means “the good life” in Anishinabemowin. Special guests include Buffy Sainte-Marie, Dr. Amy Cardinal Christianson, Dr. Cindy Blackstock, and former NHL player Jordin Tootoo, who will speak about their Indigenous identity through conservations about representation, the fusion of traditional and contemporary music, land protection, and the impacts of climate change, the release says.
“From boardrooms to classrooms to radio stations to our homes, we can all Do Something to move reconciliation forward,” said Sarah Midanik, president and CEO of the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund, in the press release.
“Thank you to our partners and the nearly 500 radio stations from coast to coast to coast who are once again using their platforms to amplify Indigenous voices. And miigwetch to the millions of people in Canada who will tune in for A Day to Listen 2023,” Midanik said.
“We are excited and proud to partner once again with the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund on this special project,” said Jennifer Morrison, senior manager at Orbyt Media. “It’s wonderful to see hundreds of stations of all formats, sizes, and locations come together to recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.”
In addition to the 12-hour radio special, Canadians can also listen to extended interviews and conversations starting Sept. 30 through the A Day To Listen podcast, available on all major podcast platforms.
Image borrowed from the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund website.
