Photo: Graphic for Indigenous ONE. Credit: Viktoriia Kondratenko/U Multicultural.
The CRTC has approved U Multicultural’s application to add a dedicated Indigenous subchannel to CFUM-DT, its licensed over-the-air community television station in Winnipeg. The commission issued the decision Oct. 30, 2026. The full decision is available here.
The service, currently using Indigenous ONE as a working name, will offer community-driven programming created by Indigenous creators, producers and youth contributors in collaboration with Indigenous organizations, Elders, artists, educators and community groups. It will include Indigenous-language content and cover Indigenous stories, youth perspectives, arts, education and current affairs.
“Indigenous ONE gives Indigenous creators, Elders and youth a place of their own on Winnipeg television, in their own languages,” said Taya Rtichsheva, founder and executive director of U Multicultural, in a statement.
“We are grateful to everyone who wrote in support, and we are ready to build this channel together with the community.”
An Indigenous Advisory Committee made up of five to seven Indigenous members will guide the channel. Members will advise on programming priorities, review content for accurate and meaningful representation, and support the inclusion and revitalization of Indigenous languages.
All 27 interventions submitted to the CRTC supported the application.
Writing on behalf of CKWE 103.9 FM, an Indigenous broadcaster based in Kitigan Zibi, Que., Cory Whiteduck said the proposal reflected the values of community broadcasting.
“This initiative reflects the core values of community broadcasting — accessibility, inclusion, local storytelling, and support for underrepresented voices,” Whiteduck wrote.
“Expanding Indigenous programming through this proposed sub-channel will contribute meaningfully to language preservation, cultural expression, and community engagement.”
Circles for Reconciliation, a Winnipeg organization that brings Indigenous and non-Indigenous people together in facilitated discussion circles, also supported U Multicultural’s application.
“Our organization values U Multicultural’s commitment to working respectfully with Indigenous communities and developing media content that reflects our traditions, perspectives, and teachings,” co-founders Ingrid Dowan and Grace Schedler wrote in their intervention.
“We are confident that this specialty channel will make a positive impact in Winnipeg and beyond.”
ACTRA, the union representing more than 30,000 professional performers working in English-language recorded media across Canada, also submitted a supportive intervention.
“ACTRA strongly supports this application. It would give Indigenous performers and creators control over the stories they want to tell,” ACTRA national president Eleanor Noble wrote.
“This application aligns directly with the objectives of the Broadcasting Act, including the Act’s explicit recognition of Indigenous peoples’ rights and the obligation of the broadcasting system to reflect their stories.”
Noble said the proposal also reflected Canada’s international commitments.
“It also speaks to Canada’s international commitments under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and to the ongoing work of reconciliation – work that the cultural sector has a responsibility to advance.”
U Multicultural says the channel will go on air once the remaining technical work is complete.
U Multicultural is seeking sponsors, funders and community organizations to help launch the channel. It is also inviting Indigenous community members to join the advisory committee and Indigenous producers to inquire about airtime.
U Multicultural operates U Radio which is available on 88.7FM in Manitoba and U Multicultural TV channel has been available since October 2025 on Channel 14 free to air and Bell MTS channel 1029. Indigenous ONE will be added as a separate multiplexed television service for Indigenous communities.
Graham McDonald, U Multicultural Journalism and Media Arts Centre.