Longtime Mtis radio host, country singer, gets ready to retire - Action News
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Indigenous

Longtime Mtis radio host, country singer, gets ready to retire

Ray St. Germain, the co-host of NCI's popular call-in show Mtis Hour x2 for over 20 years, is getting ready to retire soon.

Ray St. Germain, host of Mtis Hour x2, has a loyal fanbase who tune in weekly

An older man with white hair
Longtime radio host and country music singer/songwriter Ray St. Germain will be retiring soon as the host of NCI's popular call-in show Metis Hour x2. (Submitted by David McLeod)

A longtime radio host whose voice has connected Mtis citizens across Manitoba is getting set to retire from the airwaves.

"I've made so many good friends," said Ray St. Germain, co-host of Native Communications Inc.'s (NCI) popular call-in showMtis Hour x2.

St. Germain, 82, is Mtis from St. Vital, Man., and has been hosting thecall-in show from Winnipeg for the last 23 years.

The two-hour show, which starts on Saturdaysat 11a.m., features a diverse selection of Mtis music, curated by St. Germain, a live update with Manitoba Mtis Federation president David Chartrand, and phone calls from Mtis citizens whotune into the show.

"It gives them a chance to say hi to everybody because it's broadcast all over [including] the Internet," said St. Germain.

"So, you know, they call up and say hi to their relatives in Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto."

WATCH | Ray St. Germainperforms at an event in 2020:

'I'm Mighty Proud I'm Metis'

4 years ago
Duration 2:30
Ray St. Germain performs 'I'm Mighty Proud I'm Metis' at the historic downtown Winnipeg landmark, which will become home to the Mtis Nation Heritage Centre.

St. Germainis a well-respected country music singer and songwriter who has performed alongside the likes of Johnny Cash andKenny Rogers and was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame in 2010.

His radio career started in 1957 and the station manager at NCI, Dave McLeod, saidhe is a trailblazer for people in Manitoba's music industry.

"Ray St. Germain is an original. A true original. Irreplaceable," said McLeod, who is Anishinaabe from Pine Creek First Nation.

Side-by-side black-and-white photos of a young man singing
Photos of Ray St. Germain from the 1960s and 1970s showcase his longevity as a country music singer. (Submitted by David McLeod)

"He's made unique bonds and unique friendships with a lot of people in the Manitoba music industry and I think his career shows what is possible, because he made a decision to stay in Manitoba."

Juno-nominated country music singer Desiree Dorionfirst met St. Germain when they performed together at the 2002 North American Indigenous Games in Winnipeg.

"Every time I'm around him or every time I listen to him on the radio, you just feel like he's letting you into his living room," said Dorion.

NCI's station manager David McLeod, left, says it will be difficult to fill the shoes of St. Germain, who has created deep community connections through the call-in show. (David McLeod)

"Ray's retirement really does allow him to see the impact that he's had on on the Indigenous music community and that we have an opportunity just to tell him how much he's loved and and revered in the community."

In the meantime, NCI will look for someone to fill the hosting chair, and St. Germain will soon have enough time to travel and visit his children and grandchildren.