NCRC43 a huge success in Nanaimo
In June of this year, we at CHLY 101.7FM had the pleasure of hosting NCRC43, the 43rd National Campus and Community Radio Conference of the National Campus Community Radio Association/L'Association nationale des radios étudiantes et communautaires.
92+ attendees came to Nanaimo from all across Canada, from the Maritimes, Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg, to everything in between, and even Australia and the United States! For four days from June 17th to June 20th, thirty fascinating sessions were hosted by 45 presenters invigorating those involved in campus and community radio.
CHLY 101.7FM provided entertainment as host station, with a meet and greet barbecue at the station with artists Elise Boulanger and Jenny Mitchell. Wednesday night’s entertainment was local music at the Queens Hotel with indie pop artist NEAVV, the rocking Americana of Road Poets and the soulful sounds of the Joshua Gellman Band. For the closing Friday, the Wellington Highschool Jazz Band and the Cayleigh Borsboom Quartet provided music for the awards night dinner and gala.
The conference was graciously opened by VIU Tseshaht Elder Randy Fred. He spoke about his life, his experience of residential school, and his work in media. Nanaimo-Lantzville MLA George Anderson also welcomed attendees to Nanaimo.
The opening keynote was inspiring with Jon Bisset, the Chief Executive Officer of the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia (CBAA) speaking to community radio in Australia, and the association’s experience in supporting the sector. The keynote demonstrated numerous ways we in Canada can move forward in a similar positive direction as a larger nation.
With over 30 sessions hosted at NCRC43, it is too much to go into detail on every session, but I can however note the sessions I attended. This included a workshop on charting by CFUV’s Music Director Troy Lemberg, a presentation from CRTC Commissioner Nirmala Naidoo, a regulatory presentation from Freya Zaltz, a presentation from DLARC curator Jennifer Waits and CIVL Executive Director Aaron Levy on saving community and campus radio history.
Another highlight was the showing of 35000 Watts directed by Michael Millard, a documentary chronicling the untold story of college radio in the United States. It demonstrated the huge impact that college (campus and community stations in Canada) have made on the music scene since the 80s. We might just have to do a showing of this film in the future ourselves!
I also very much enjoy the varying break out groups through "birds of a feather" and caucus sessions on governance, operations, and finance. Another highlight included a workshop on healing and dealing with burnout hosted by CKDU's Kheaven Brasier and Megan McCracken. A feeling I’ve been familiar with at times working at the station.
A presentation by Eden Fineday of IndigiNews and tâpwâwin media was also particularly interesting in regards to indigenous media and what we in campus and community media can do to work together in a good way.
Our sister station, CIVL 101.7FM, lead by Aaron Levy in Abbotsford presented a touching documentary on the history of their station leading up to present day. Former CHLY Station Manager Bob Simpson also had impactful history during the early days of CIVL, and was featured in memoriam after his passing during the summer of 2020.
With a free night on the Thursday, attendees got to explore Nanaimo. Some got a tour of the Cottle Hill transmission site, while others entertained themselves by visiting Saysutshun Island. Others entertained themselves by seeing the Downtown Nanaimo Night Market.
Photo: NCRC43 attendees after the closing keynote.
The closing keynote was a panel discussion on the state of our sector with CRFC Executive Director Alex Freedman, NCRA Board President Mark Killfoil, IndigiNews’ Eden Fineday, and CBAA Chief Executive Officer Jon Bisset. There is much to be excited about and look forward to in our sector, as well as challenges.
The CRABOs Awards Gala was held at the Malaspina Theatre with CUP President Andrew Mrozowski emceeing the event. City of Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog opened the gala giving a rousing address on the need for community media in an age of misinformation and disinformation. Robin Eriksson won a Community Radio Legend Award and gave an emotionally stirring speech on community radio and keeping things weird. Our station was sadly not among the award winners, but Midcoast Morning was a runner up for the Current Affairs or Magazine award.
It was a enormous pleasure to host the conference this year. A thank you to Elder Randy Fred and MLA George Anderson for welcoming attendees to the conference, and to City of Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog for welcoming attendees to the awards gala. Special thanks to the National Campus Community Radio Association, their board of directors, their staff, and their members for selecting us to host. A further thanks to all those who attended from across Canada and around the world. A huge thank you again to our staff—especially Conference Coordinator Connor McDermid—as well as the volunteers, and donors who helped make this event happen smoothly. A final thanks to our local sponsors and support for the event with conference tote bags from Swag Print Factory, meat from Glassen Farms, and salad greens from Morgan Creek Farms.
You’re all 💎💎💎💎!
I very much look forward to attending NCRC44 in 2026 in Toronto were I will yet again see good friends, as well as new and familiar faces. We might even play a few too many games of werewolves again!
—Jesse Woodward.