In a small room located behind the library at Dene Thaâ Community School (DTCS) in northwestern Alberta, computer monitors and microphones are in abundance. In this space, teenagers are creating captivating radio content for the school’s online radio station, reaching out to the community. The radio station serves as a platform for education and a means to disseminate important information to the local population exceeding 900 residents.
One of the hosts at the station is Chara Metchooyeah, a 19-year-old recent graduate and the current director of the DTCS radio program. Metchooyeah believes that the online broadcasts play a vital role in benefiting the community. “I can switch from adding humor and personality to sharing crucial information that people rely on in a matter of minutes,” she expressed.
The station hosts entertain with their favorite music, evening shows, and weather updates while emphasizing cultural elements by featuring the Dene Tha âword of the momentâ to promote the Dene language. Since 2024, DTCS teacher Sean Hickman has been overseeing the program, emphasizing the importance of local involvement in radio for students to take charge of their own paths.
Chateh, part of the Dene Thaâ First Nation, is situated about 850 kilometers northwest of Edmonton and comprises three communities, including Bushe River and Meander River. The community has faced recurring threats from natural disasters, leading to multiple evacuations due to wildfires and flooding.
Reflecting on the 2025 fire that led to evacuation orders, Metchooyeah shared, “It can get pretty scary at times.” Hickman and Metchooyeah aim for the station to play a crucial role in keeping residents informed during such emergencies, ensuring swift dissemination of information.
Christopher Mangaser, the acting principal at DTCS, highlighted the unpredictability of the weather, especially concerning flooding in Chateh when not facing wildfire threats. The school year has been impacted by multiple evacuations due to rising rivers from snowmelt.
The radio station serves as a valuable communication tool for elders and individuals less reliant on social media for updates in a community where approximately 200 students attend the K-12 school.
Students in the radio program seized an opportunity to broaden their horizons during spring break by covering a rally against Alberta independence in Edmonton. These experiences outside their comfort zones foster confidence and underscore the program’s significance.
Metchooyeah’s commitment to community service extends beyond radio, as she has volunteered in emergency management on the reserve, helping residents during times of crisis. Her dedication to community safety led her to pursue remote education in Disaster and Emergency Management at NAIT this fall, with aspirations of leading Chateh’s emergency response team.
The collective effort at DTCS exemplifies the empowerment of Indigenous youth through the radio station, providing a platform for voices to be heard and important messages to be shared with the community.