Ever get frustrated with hearing a busy signal on the other end of a phone call? Imagine being able to call your local radio station and having the announcer tell the person you're trying to reach to get off the phone. That wouldn't fly in Calgary but in the town of Fort McPherson they would be happy to oblige. In fact, they would be happy to pass along any message from any caller.
It's obvious from watching the documentary CBQM, that the residents of Fort McPherson not only take great pride in their locally run radio station, but also in their tight knit community. From moose calling competitions and scoldings from the RCMP to story telling and open mic broadcasts of aspiring musicians, CBQM is a dependable source of entertainment to the 900 residents of the place they call McPhoo. For me, it was a refreshing alternative to the usual fast paced, attention grabbing stations that bombard you with advertisements, chart hits, and contests with big giveaways.
CBQM is more than a story about a radion station. It's a detailed portrait of the Teetl'it Gwich'in community and of life in a small town. It is playing at Eau Claire on Sunday, October 4th at 2:30 pm and is a great opportunity to learn about a place and culture that's hidden 150 km north of the arctic circle.
