The CRTC has approved an application by Winnipeg multilingual community TV station, U Multicultural, to add an Indigenous subchannel to its signal that for now is moving forward under the working title of Indigenous ONE.

In its application, the non-profit said the subchannel would provide “a dedicated space for Indigenous programming, with a focus on news, Indigenous storytelling, cultures and lived experiences. Further, it would feature programming created by, with, and for Indigenous communities, including youth, educational, and Indigenous language programming.”

It would be overseen by an Indigenous Advisory Committee that would provide governance, guidance, and cultural oversight.

“For years, Indigenous and ethnocultural communities in Winnipeg have told us the same thing: they want to see and hear themselves on air, in their own voices and languages,” said U Multicultural Founder & Executive Director Taya Rtichsheva, in a post to LinkedIn. “This decision moves that from a conversation to a plan.

The commission published its approval of the application on Friday, saying in its decision that the subchannel would “help ensure local and regional Indigenous Peoples are involved in the creation, curation, and broadcast of programming that meets the needs of their communities,” in line with the policy objectives set out in the Broadcasting Act related to Indigenous language revitalization, Indigenous production and participation in broadcasting undertakings, and community engagement.

The proposal remains subject to the technical evaluation of the Department of Industry (aka Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada).

U Multicultural is inviting organizations, sponsors and businesses who want to get involved with the subchannel to contact them.