NCI FM is a First Nations radio network in Manitoba. Owned by Native Communications Inc. (NCI), it broadcasts programming targeting First Nations communities in Manitoba, including mainstream country music, and specialty programs featuring Indigenous music.
The network is headquartered at 1507 Inkster Blvd in Winnipeg, where it is heard locally on the Selkirk-licensed transmitter 105.5 CICY-FM. NCI operates 57 transmitters and rebroadcasters across the province. NCI also operates a second station in Winnipeg—CIUR-FM—which carries a rhythmic adult contemporary format.
History 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. Initially, NCI served as a producer of programming, which it aired as time-buys on local stations.
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, 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. In 1997, NCI was granted a license for a transmitter on 105.5 FM in Selkirk, Manitoba, which would serve Winnipeg.
The NCI network officially launched in 1998. 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.
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. As of April 2026, the station operates as rhythmic adult contemporary Ziibi 104.7.
Transmitters Call sign Frequency City of LicenseVF2196 0096.9 FM Berens RiverDecision CRTC 98-232VF2339 0096.9 FM BloodveinDecision CRTC 2000-48CIWM-FM 0107.5 FM Brandon/DauphinDecision CRTC 2001-126Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2016-100, CINC-FM Thompson and its transmitter CIWM-FM Brandon - Licence amendment and technical changes, CRTC, March 16, 2016VF2220 0096.9 FM BrochetDecision CRTC 93-600 VF2420 0093.9 FM CampervilleBroadcasting Decision CRTC 2003-68VF2312 0096.9 FM ChurchillDecision CRTC 98-146VF2261 0096.9 FM CormorantDecision CRTC 94-164CICP-FM 0096.9 FM Cranberry PortageDecision CRTC 99-24VF2195 0093.5 FM Cross LakeDecision CRTC 93-71CIDM-FM 0097.3 FM DauphinBroadcasting Decision CRTC 2019-273VF2421 0093.5 FM Dauphin RiverVF2262 0096.9 FM Duck Bay VF2337 0093.5 FM Easterville CIFR-FM 0096.9 FM Fairford/Lake St. MartinDecision CRTC 2000-18CIFF-FM 0101.1 FM Flin FlonBroadcasting Decision CRTC 2004-287VF2334 0093.5 FM Fox LakeDecision CRTC 2000-32VF2198 0096.9 FM Garden HillVF2333 00101.1 FM GillamVF2174 0093.5 FM Gods Lake NarrowsDecision CRTC 92-713VF2175 0093.9 FM Gods RiverVF2263 0096.9 FM Grand RapidsVF2336 0093.5 FM GriswoldVF2340 0093.5 FM Hollow Water/ManigotaganDecision CRTC 2000-97Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2002-318VF2422 0093.9 FM Ilford/War LakeVF2404 0093.5 FM JackheadVF2106 0096.9 FM Lac BrochetVF2335 0093.5 FM Lake ManitobaVF2406 0093.5 FM Leaf RapidsVF2407 0096.9 FM Little Grand RapidsVF2382 0101.7 FM Long PlainVF2423 0096.9 FM Lynn LakeVF2313 0096.9 FM Moose LakeVF2222 0096.9 FM Nelson HouseCINR-FM 0092.9 FM Norway HouseDecision CRTC 95-243VF2314 0096.9 FM Oxford HouseVF2504 0093.3 FM Paint LakeVF2405 0093.5 FM Pauingassi Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2002-170CIPM-FM 0100.9 FM PeguisCKQX-FM 0096.9 FM Pelican RapidsVF2264 0096.9 FM PikwitoneiVF2167 0096.9 FM Pukatawagan Decision CRTC 84-741VF2108 0096.9 FM Red Sucker LakeCIST-FM 0093.5 FM St. Theresa PointDecision CRTC 99-34CICY-FM 0105.5 FM Selkirk (Winnipeg)VF2199 0096.9 FM ShamattawaVF2342 0093.5 FM Sherridon Decision CRTC 2000-254VF2462 0096.3 FM Snow LakeBroadcasting Decision CRTC 2004-113CISI-FM 0096.9 FM South Indian Lake Decision CRTC 99-257VF2265 0096.9 FM Split LakeCISF-FM 0090.5 FM Swan LakeCISV-FM 0093.3 FM Swan RiverDecision CRTC 99-516VF2109 0096.9 FM Tadoule LakeCITP-FM 0092.7 FM The PasVF2338 0096.9 FM Thicket PortageCINC-FM 0096.3 FM Thompson VF2168 0096.9 FM WabowdenCIWR-FM 0093.5 FM WaterhenCHYL-FM 0093.5 FM York Landing
Programming and events 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. 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. 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.
The network broadcasts Radio Bingo on Saturday mornings.
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.
References
External links
Native Communications at The History of Canadian Broadcasting by the Canadian Communications Foundation Query the REC's Canadian station database for Native Communications Inc. stations