Chéticamp’s community radio celebrates its 30th anniversary

June 3, 2025

_{On aperçoit à gauche Blair Fiset, directeur général actuel de Radio CKJM, et à droite Angus LeFort, premier directeur général de Radio CKJM en 1995. (Photo : Daniel Aucoin)}

Since it went on air in 1995, Chéticamp’s community radio has had a huge impact on the community, in terms of preserving and revitalising the French language as well as safeguarding and developing Acadian cultural identity. The year 2025 marks the 30th anniversary of Radio CKJM.

The idea of setting up a community radio in Chéticamp first came up in 1991. At a public meeting to gauge the population’s interest in this project, it was decided to organise a short broadcast. This was so successful that it was decided to take further action to obtain a permanent community radio. Coopérative Radio-Chéticamp was created in February 1992.

The members of the first Board of Directors were Jean Marc Renault, Marie Stella Doucet, Pauline Dunn, Jeannot Chiasson, Angus LeFort, Daniel Aucoin, Lisette Bourgeois, Emmanuel Bourgeois, Fidèle LeFort and Camille Cormier. On October 6, 1995, CKJM went on air permanently.

According to many people in the community, radio is the tool that has had the greatest impact on preserving and revitalising the French language in the community. This is because radio is unique in that it reaches as many people as possible on a daily basis, speaking to people of all age groups.

Radio has also contributed to the preservation, promotion and development of Acadian cultural identity in Chéticamp. The advent of community radio enabled the citizens of Chéticamp to rediscover Acadian music. Local artists were inspired to sing and even write their own songs. Radio played an important role in their development by recording and broadcasting them.

The Marcel Doucet recording studio was designed by a Nashville-based consultant. As well as being used for the production and broadcast of radio music shows, the studio was used to record local artists for airplay or to produce artists’ albums. Ashley MacIsaac, JP Cormier and Ronald Bourgeois are among the artists who have recorded CDs in this studio.

Radio CKJM has also digitised and broadcast 565 traditional Acadian songs recorded by Père Anselme Chiasson and Père Daniel Boudreau. Two albums (Un suête musical en Acadie and Le lendemain d’un suête) featuring recordings by local artists were also produced. Radio has also helped to revive Acadian traditions which were sinking into oblivion, such as Mi-carême.

The musical product is in perfect harmony with the radio’s mission. Local music, both Acadian and traditional, play an important role. Paid hosts and volunteers produce several programmes that promote Acadian and French music. They also ensure a diversity of musical styles. For several years, a programme featuring Gaelic music was broadcast every week.

In broadcasting community information, CKJM gives people a better idea of what’s going on in their area. It provides organisations with a preferential channel for addressing the population, announcing their activities and publicising their work and projects. Since its inception, CKJM has won numerous awards, nationally as well as regionally.

Over the past 30 years, local roots have always been CKJM’s main strength. It’s this anchoring that has enabled the radio station to be born, to develop and to get through the difficulties it has encountered.

At every stage of CKJM’s existence, members of the community have shown unequivocal support for their radio station, both financially and through their involvement as volunteers on the Board of Directors, in radio production or in support tasks. Volunteers of all ages provide several hours of programming a week. These volunteers contribute to the richness and diversity of the programming. Their contribution is invaluable to the community radio station, which couldn’t do without them.

Over the years, because of its recognised social value, community radio has been able to rely on essential financial support from government departments and institutions for one-off projects. Fund-raising activities are diversified throughout the year: bingo, 50/50 club, radiothon, auction, etc.

Radio CKJM represents the pride and attachment of the Acadians of Chéticamp to their language and culture. For 30 years already, radio has been a tool for linguistic, cultural and social development.