Community radio is coming to the Keweenaw and public feedback is requested
CALUMET — Radio Keweenaw is seeking public input for a new Low Power FM (LPFM) community radio station. The short online survey can be found at: http://bit.ly/wfkcsurvey. All residents in the greater Keweenaw region are encouraged to respond.
Radio Keweenaw was granted an LPFM construction permit by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on February 8, 2024, and granted the requested call sign of WFKC-LP on February 21, 2024. The LPFM radio service was created by the FCC in January 2000 to authorize noncommercial educational broadcasting. Only three LPFM application windows have occurred since that time, averaging once a decade.
About WFKC-LP Radio Keweenaw 100.1 FM
Radio Keweenaw celebrates and preserves the history of Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula while exploring emergent possibilities that exist for Copper Country inhabitants. Radio Keweenaw will offer listeners a mix of place-based audio postcards; archival interviews; and sound-rich educational, cultural, and musical programming. A variety of community members from diverse backgrounds will produce radio shows in order to educate, entertain, and inspire. These programs will bridge art, conservation, ecology, history, Indigenous perspectives, and storytelling, as well as promote community news and events.
Radio Keweenaw is headquartered in the historic Village of Calumet in a building that is located in the Keweenaw National Historical Park. After extensive renovations in 2020, the building where Radio Keweenaw resides is in the process of being added to the Calumet National Historic Landmark District.
Founding members of Radio Keweenaw include Program Director Anna Sysling and Artistic Director Andrew Ranville. Sysling comes to the role with more than a decade of public media broadcasting, reporting, and storytelling experience. “Corporate commercial interests are homogenizing the media landscape and failing to represent local voices. This is where community radio is a vital resource for authentic culture and connection,” said Sysling. Ranville has been active in nonprofit community work in the Keweenaw since 2011, and has initiated artist residencies; created educational programs for local high school students; and hosted community workshops, musical performances, exhibitions, and more. Ranville shares, “It has been incredible to see the community response in just the first few weeks of Radio Keweenaw’s journey, and we are excited to be working together to create an inspiring space for a diverse, intergenerational group of listeners and contributors.”
For more information please visit www.radiokeweenaw.org