NCRC43 brings together campus, community & Indigenous radio

Photo Credit: Kheaven Brasier

The National Campus and Community Radio Association’s 43rd conference, NCRC43, held in Nanaimo, BC from June 17–20, and hosted by CHLY 101.7 FM at Vancouver Island University, was a resounding success, bringing together over 85 participants from more than 30 campus, community, and Indigenous radio stations across Canada.

The conference featured Jon Bisset, CEO of the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia, who shared international insights on community media sustainability and innovation, as well as an inspiring speech from Nirmala NaidooCRTC Commissioner (Alberta and NWT).

The NCRA also handed out the CRABOs, its Community Radio Awards, celebrating outstanding achievement by member campus and community radio stations. 

Toronto Metropolitan University’s CJTM (Met Radio) claimed a leading five awards, including Best in Podcasting for Mulberries, hosted by Yasaman Mansoori and Sean Warkentine. Dalhousie University campus station, CKDU, captured four awards, including Volunteer of the Year for Ryan Somers (aka R$ $mooth). The University of Calgary Student Radio Society, CJSW, also claimed four wins, sweeping four music programming categories. Other multiple award winners included the University of the Fraser Valley’s CIVL-FM Abbotsford; Concordia University’s CJLO-AM Montreal; Kootenay Co-op Radio’s CJLY-FM Nelson, BC; and Smithers Community Radio Society’s CICK-FM.

Find the full list of winners here:

Categories Station ID Submission Name Winner name for award
Volunteer of the Year CKDU CKDU Ryan Somers aka R$ $mooth
Community Engagement CKVB (BayFM) Tribute to Dave McHugh BAYFM
Local Talent Development CFRC CFRC Staff and Volunteers
Breaking Barriers CFUV Queer Histories and Futures Matilde Cervantes and Nicola Watts
Best in Podcasting CJTM (Met Radio) Mulberries Yasaman Mansoori and Sean Warkentine
Creative Production CJSR-FM 88.5 Taste of Edmonton 2024 Monica Sweeney and Harmony Handsaeme
Current Affairs or Magazine Show CKDU MidEast Mic Check Spencer Osberg
Documentary CIVL Opioid Documentary Mike McCulloch
Excellence in Sports Broadcasting CKDU Injury Reserve Callum Watson and Ethan Hunt
Excellence in Student Programming CJTM (Met Radio) Seance Halloween Episode (Special Programming) Amber Ranson
Neskie Manuel Award for Aboriginal Affairs and Culture Programming CKDU Right Deadly Radio Show Randy Hamilton
News CIVL News Update Mike McCulloch
“OUT LOUD” Best in LGBT+ Programming CJTM (Met Radio) Inside TMU’s first ever Kiki Ball Kinza Zafar and Maya Fettes
Syndicated Radio Show CJLY (Kootenay Coop Radio) Episode #134 “Celebrating Juneteenth and National Indigenous Peoples Day” Julian Taylor’s Jukebox
Third Language CJLO 1690AM A Gift From Exile Camila Lewandowski
Woman’s Hands and Voices CJLO 1690AM Women Aware Polytechnique Memorial Episode Gigi Brown
Music: Variety Program CICK Outside-In Glen Ingram
Music: Alternative or similar music CFRC Yellow Brit Road: An alternative take on subverting musical expectations! Aarushi Mathur
Music: Blues or similar music CJPE-FM 99.3 Sideroads – The Home of the Blues in Prince Edward County Greg Hinde
Music: Classical Century or similar music CJLY (Kootenay Coop Radio) Ravel’s Bolero Doug Jamieson
Music: Country or similar music CJSW Prairie Surfin’ Jay Heule
Music: Electronic or similar music CFUR Let’s Talk Music Grace Hoksbergen
Music: Jazz or similar music CHMR Jazz Pizzazz Marcia Porter
Music: Metal or similar music CICK Syrup Moose Radio Show Brendan Barlow
Music: Loud or similar music CJTM (Met Radio) More Noise Please – featuring special guest Knifehandchop Jennifer Creagh aka DJ SuperJen
Music: Pop or similar music CJSR-FM 88.5 Sunshine After Dark #200 “Jan 1979, Part 1” John Huck
Music: Punk or similar music CJSW The Future Language Helen Young
Music: Rap or similar music CIVL The BLOCK with Bryson Worden Bryson Worden
Music: R&B or similar music CJSW Breaking Techniques Valerie Siu
Music: Reggae or similar music CJSW Copacabana Connection Eduardo Cardoso Abrão
Music: Rock or similar music CKDU Crossroads Stuart Cooper
Music: Folk or similar music CJTM (Met Radio) Episode #147 Jali Journey – Gracious Turbulence Kejo Buchanan