NCI FM

NCI was first established in 1971 as a radio broadcaster targeting First Nations communities in Northern Manitoba, founded by Donald A. McIvor (1925-2006)—a former mayor of Wabowden, Manitoba, and member of the Northern Association of Community Councils.^[3] Initially, NCI served as a producer of programming, which it aired as time-buys on local stations.^[2]

In the 1990s, NCI began to build out a radio network of its own, receiving licenses for transmitters serving various Manitoba communities. In 1994, NCI received approval from the CRTC for a First Nations radio station in Thompson, Manitoba on 96.3 FM; CINC-FM would serve as the initial originating station for the NCI network,^[4] carrying at least 126 hours of programming per-week in the English, Cree, Dene, Oji-Cree, and Saulteaux languages. At least 54 hours of programming per-week would be networked programming, produced by NCI from Thompson, and supplied from CFWE in Lac La Biche, Alberta.^[5] In 1997, NCI was granted a license for a transmitter on 105.5 FM in Selkirk, Manitoba, which would serve Winnipeg.^[4]

The NCI network officially launched in 1998.^[2] In 2000, the Selkirk transmitter became the separately-licensed station CICY-FM, and the NCI network phased out CFWE programming in favour of programs originating from CICY's studios in Winnipeg.^[4]

In June 2008, the CRTC approved an application by NCI for a second station in Winnipeg, CIUR-FM, which would initially launch in 2009 as Streetz 104.7—a separate urban contemporary station carrying music targeting Aboriginal youth.^[6][7][8] As of April 2026, the station operates as rhythmic adult contemporary Ziibi 104.7.^[9]

Some of NCI FM's regular weekly programming includes:

• The Métis Hour x2, a two-hour Saturday morning program presented by the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF). It features a mix of classic country and Métis music, and news and information oriented towards Manitoba's Métis community (including regular appearances by MMF president David Chartrand). From its premiere in 1998 through 2022, the program was co-hosted by musician Ray St. Germain and Naomi Clarke; St. Germain retired from the program in 2022.^[35][36]
• The Indigenous Music Countdown, a weekly chart show devoted to music by Indigenous performers; the program has been syndicated to other First Nations radio stations in Canada and the United States, and is also carried by SiriusXM Canada's The Indigiverse.^[37][38]
• Friends on Fridays, a weekly all-request call-in show aired on Friday evenings, hosted by Jordan Knight and Davey Gott; the show has been described as being an institution among Manitoba's First Nations communities, with Gott stating it that it receives enough calls that getting on the air was akin to winning a lottery.^[39][40]

The network broadcasts Radio Bingo on Saturday mornings.^[41]

NCI hosts an annual concert event known as the "NCI Jam", which features a talent show highlighting amateur Indigenous musicians, as well as special guest performances and award presentations.^[42][1]