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{{short description|First Nations radio network in Alberta, Canada}}
{{Infobox radio station
| logo = File:CFWE 98.5 logo.jpg
| format = [[Country music|Country]]<br />First Nations [[community radio]]
| frequency = 98.5 [[Hertz|MHz]]
| owner = [[Aboriginal Multi-Media Society]]
| name = CFWE
| city = [[Edmonton|Edmonton, Alberta]]
| area = [[Alberta]]
| branding = CFWE
| erp = 100,000 [[watt]]s
| haat = {{convert|153.7|meters}}
| class = C1
| airdate =
| translators =
| sister_stations = [[CJWE-FM]], [[CIWE-FM]]
| webcast = [https://cfweradio.ca/player/?playerID=2867 Listen Live]
| website = [https://cfweradio.ca/ cfweradio.ca]
| callsign_meaning =
}}
'''CFWE''' (98.5 [[FM broadcasting|FM]]) is a [[radio network]] based in [[Edmonton|Edmonton, Alberta]]. Owned by the [[Aboriginal Multi-Media Society]], it broadcasts programming targeting [[northern Alberta]]'s [[First Nations in Alberta|First Nations communities]], including mainstream [[country music]], and specialty shows featuring [[Indigenous music of Canada|Indigenous]] music or presented in native languages such as [[Cree language|Cree]] and [[Chipewyan language|Dene]].
The network broadcasts from studios in [[Edmonton]], alongside its originating station '''CFWE-FM-4'''. It operates a network of rebroadcasters to serve the province of Alberta and its [[Indian reserve|First Nations reserve]]s.
==History==
Owned by the Aboriginal Multi-Media Society, the station received approval from the [[Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission]] in 1987 to launch on 89.9 FM in [[Lac La Biche, Alberta|Lac La Biche]].<ref>[http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/1987/DB87-639.HTM Decision CRTC 87-639]</ref> Transmitters were later added at many other communities in northern Alberta.
CFWE-FM is a founding member of the Western Association of Aboriginal Broadcasters (WAAB). WAAB Members include Northern Native Broadcasting (BC), Northern Native Broadcasting (Yukon), Missinipi Broadcasting Corporation (Saskatchewan) and Native Communications Incorporated (Manitoba). WAAB members meet regularly to develop program ideas, share resources and work to promote Aboriginal broadcasting throughout western and northern Canada.
In 2008, AMMSA received approval from the [[Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission|CRTC]] to add new transmitters at Edmonton and [[Fort McMurray]], with the Edmonton station becoming the ''de facto'' originating station of the network.<ref>[http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2008/db2008-288.htm Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2008-288]</ref> The new transmitters, CHWE-FM-4 in Edmonton (physically located in the suburb of [[Spruce Grove]]) and CHWE-FM-5 in Fort McMurray, broadcast on 98.5&nbsp;MHz and 94.5&nbsp;MHz respectively.
On November 7, 2012, the AMMSA received approval to supersede CFWE-FM Lac La Biche and four low-power rebroadcasters serving nearby reserves with a new 19.6&nbsp;kW signal on 90.5&nbsp;MHz in Lac La Biche.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2012/2012-618.htm|title=CFWE-FM-4 Edmonton – New transmitter at Lac La Biche|publisher=Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission |date=2012-11-07|access-date=2019-07-26}}</ref> In 2016, CHWE-FM-4's power was increased from 9.3&nbsp;kW to 100&nbsp;kW.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cfweradio.ca/fun-stuff/photos/edmonton-transmitter-upgrade-98-5-fm-873996/ |title=Edmonton Transmitter upgrade 98.5 FM - CFWE |access-date=2016-05-14 |archive-date=2016-06-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160613110038/http://www.cfweradio.ca/fun-stuff/photos/edmonton-transmitter-upgrade-98-5-fm-873996/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> In September 2017, the AMMSA received approval to add a 100,000 watt transmitter at 105.7&nbsp;MHz in [[Grande Prairie]], which superseded low-power transmitters serving the Horse Lake Reserve and Duncan's Band Reserve.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2017/2017-326.htm|title=Broadcasting Decision 2017-326|date=6 September 2017|publisher=CRTC|access-date=September 25, 2017}}</ref>
In June 2018, CFWE launched a new sister station in [[Calgary]], [[CJWE-FM]], taking the place of the former [[Aboriginal Voices Radio Network]] station. It carries a similar format, but with a focus on southern Alberta [[Treaty 7]] communities.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/indigenous-radio-returns-to-calgary-airwaves-1.3908996|title=Indigenous radio returns to Calgary airwaves|date=2018-04-30|website=CTV News Calgary|language=en|access-date=2019-07-26}}</ref> In December 2018, the CRTC granted a request for CFWE-FM-2 ([[Piikani 147]]) to switch to CJWE, as its programming would be more relevant to the area.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2018/2018-460.htm|title=CJWE-FM Calgary – New transmitter at Peigan/Blood Reserve Porcupine Hills|publisher=Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission|date=2018-12-12|access-date=2019-07-26}}</ref>
In May 2019, the CRTC approved a new transmitter in [[Red Deer]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2019/2019-188.htm|title=CFWE-FM-4 Edmonton – New transmitter in Red Deer|publisher=Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission|date=2019-05-30|website=crtc.gc.ca|access-date=2019-07-26}}</ref>
In February 2021, CFWE launched a second sister station on another former Aboriginal Voices frequency in Edmonton, [[CIWE-FM]]; the station carries a freeform format as ''89.3 The Raven''. <ref name="hits">{{cite news |last=Laskaris |first=Sam |date=January 13, 2021 |title=The Raven radio station hits the airwaves in February |work=Windspeaker Radio |url=https://windspeaker.com/news/windspeaker-news/raven-radio-station-hits-airwaves-february |accessdate=February 3, 2021}}</ref><ref name="flight">{{cite news |last=Mertz |first=Emily |date=February 1, 2021 |title=New Indigenous radio station The Raven launches in Edmonton: 'It was emotional' |work=Global News |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/7613364/indigenous-radio-station-the-raven/ |accessdate=February 3, 2021}}</ref>
== Programming ==
''Radio [[Bingo (U.S.)|Bingo]]'' airs on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday nights, with proceeds being used to help support the AMMSA and its broadcasting activities. AMMSA CEO Bert Crowfoot stated that the program was popular enough that North Alberta residents often chose to not schedule meetings on Monday or Thursday evenings so they wouldn't miss it.<ref name=":0" />
==Rebroadcasters==
The station has an extensive network of [[rebroadcaster]]s throughout the province.
{|class="wikitable sortable" width="100%"
|-
!Call sign !! Frequency !! City of License
|-
|CFWE-FM-1 || <span style="display:none">00</span>91.7 FM || [[Joussard, Alberta|Joussard]]
|-
|CFWE-FM-2 || <span style="display:none">00</span>89.3 FM || [[Peigan Reserve, Alberta|Peigan Reserve]]
|-
|CFWE-FM-2 || <span style="display:none">00</span>106.3 FM || [[Medicine Hat, Alberta|Medicine Hat]]
|-
|CFWE-FM-3 || <span style="display:none">00</span>96.7 FM || Moose Hills
|-
|CFWE-FM-4 || <span style="display:none">00</span>98.5 FM || [[Edmonton]]
|-
|CFWE-FM-5 || <span style="display:none">00</span>94.5 FM || [[Fort McMurray]]
|-
|CFWE-FM-6 || <span style="display:none">00</span>90.5 FM || [[Lac la Biche (Alberta)|Lac La Biche]]
|-
|CFWE-FM-7 || <span style="display:none">00</span>105.7 FM || [[Grande Prairie]]
|-
|VF2084 || <span style="display:none">00</span>89.9 FM || [[Cadotte Lake, Alberta|Cadotte Lake]]<ref>[http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/1989/DB89-712.HTM Decision CRTC 89-712]</ref>
|-
|VF2085 || <span style="display:none">00</span>89.9 FM || [[Conklin, Alberta|Conklin]]
|-
|VF2087 || <span style="display:none">00</span>89.9 FM || [[Fort Chipewyan, Alberta|Fort Chipewyan]]
|-
|VF2090 || <span style="display:none">00</span>89.9 FM || [[John D'Or Prairie]]
|-
|VF2091 || <span style="display:none">00</span>90.5 FM || [[Little Buffalo, Alberta|Little Buffalo]]
|-
|VF2092 || <span style="display:none">00</span>89.9 FM || [[Loon Lake, Alberta|Loon Lake]]
|-
|VF2176 || <span style="display:none">00</span>89.9 FM || Boyer River<ref>[http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/1993/DB93-46.HTM Decision CRTC 93-46]</ref>
|-
|VF2177 || <span style="display:none">00</span>89.9 FM || Bushe River
|-
|VF2178 || <span style="display:none">00</span>89.9 FM || [[Janvier, Alberta|Janvier]]
|-
|VF2179 || <span style="display:none">00</span>89.9 FM || Child Lake
|-
|VF2180 || <span style="display:none">00</span>89.9 FM || [[Wabasca-Desmarais, Alberta|Wabasca-Desmarais]]
|-
|VF2182 || <span style="display:none">00</span>89.9 FM || [[Fort McKay]]
|-
|VF2186 || <span style="display:none">00</span>89.9 FM || Tall Cree North
|-
|VF2187 || <span style="display:none">00</span>89.9 FM || [[Paddle Prairie Metis Settlement|Paddle Prairie]]
|-
|VF2188 || <span style="display:none">00</span>89.9 FM || [[Peavine, Alberta|Peavine]]
|-
|VF2190 || <span style="display:none">00</span>88.7 FM || [[Slave Lake, Alberta|Slave Lake]]
|-
|VF2191 || <span style="display:none">00</span>89.9 FM || Tall Cree South
|-
|VF2192 || <span style="display:none">00</span>89.9 FM || [[Sturgeon Lake, Alberta|Sturgeon Lake]]
|-
|VF2241 || <span style="display:none">00</span>89.9 FM || [[Anzac, Alberta|Anzac]]<ref>[http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/1994/DB94-58.HTM Decision CRTC 94-58]</ref>
|-
|VF2243 || <span style="display:none">00</span>89.9 FM || Duncan's
|-
|VF2251 || <span style="display:none">00</span>89.9 FM || [[Heart Lake, Alberta|Heart Lake]]
|-
|VF2252 || <span style="display:none">00</span>89.9 FM || [[Horse Lake, Alberta|Horse Lake]]
|-
|VF2255 || <span style="display:none">00</span>89.9 FM || [[Peerless Lake, Alberta|Peerless Lake]]
|-
|VF2256 || <span style="display:none">00</span>89.9 FM || [[Sandy Lake, Alberta|Sandy Lake]]
|-
|VF2257 || <span style="display:none">00</span>89.9 FM || [[Trout Lake, Alberta|Trout Lake]]
|-
|VF2258 || <span style="display:none">00</span>89.9 FM || White Fish Lake
|}|-
==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
* {{official website|http://www.cfweradio.ca}}
* [https://broadcasting-history.ca/radio/radio-stations/alberta/alberta-north/cfwe-fm/ CFWE-FM history] - [[Canadian Communications Foundation]]
* {{RecnetCanada|CFWE}}
* {{RecnetCanada|CFWE-FM-4(1)}}
{{Edmonton Radio}}
[[Category:First Nations radio stations in Alberta|FWE]]
[[Category:Radio stations in Edmonton|FWE]]
[[Category:Radio stations established in 1987]]
[[Category:1987 establishments in Alberta]]