Wawatay Native Communications Society restructures, saves radio network

The operations manager at Wawatay Native Communications Society says its television production and newspaper remain suspended but the radio service will continue while financial troubles are being resolved.

The independent media organization has a mandate to preserve, promote and enhance the languages and cultures of the NishnawbeAski Nation. It opened in 1974 but has recently accrued an increasing amount of debt and closed its Thunder Bay office late last year.

"Basically it appears it was a lack of capacity within the administration as thefinancial outlook became somewhat grim," said operations manager John Gagnon, who was hired in November.

"As you are aware, WNCS[Wawatay Native Communications Society] was in a damaged situation, and recovery from this state ofaffairs has begun to ensure our essential service continues for the people in our communities," Wawatay board chair Mike Metatawabin wrote in a president's report dated January 12.

The report said the organizationhad a deficit in excess of $400,000.

'Servants of the people'

Gagon said the federal funding for the radio service, WRN, has beenrestored and broadcastingcontinueswith familiar voices heardfrom the Sioux Lookout and Timminsoffices.

The Thunder Bay office was closed in November when publication of the newspaper, Wawatay News, was suspended.

Gagnon saidthere are plans to revive the news service online andtelevision production could resume in the future. He saidthe hard work of clearing up Wawatay's finances and its reputation is well worth the effort.

"We're servants of the people," Gagnon said. "This is the people's radio station, the people's news and it's imperative for the preservation of the language, of Cree,Ojibway and Oji-Cree."

Metatawabinis optimistic about what the future holds for the 40-year-old organization.

"Although things may appear depressing, in all actualitywe are in a good place to rebuildthe agencys corporate brand and deliverable services," he wrote in the report.

Gagnon said he hopes to be able to eventually hire back manyof the staff who were affected by layoffs in the fall.