...the mission of WOJB-FM is to promote understanding of the Anishinabeg by infusing traditional values in all aspects of WOJB;
offering culturally diverse information and entertainment to Indian
and non-Indian listeners on behalf of the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.

Those humongous stands of big pine are long gone, but the indigenous people of the area are alive and well and playing pow-wow songs at 88.9 FM. The station came on the air in April 1982, born of a perceived need to open up new lines of communication between the Indian and non-Indian communities of Northern Wisconsin.

Racial tensions had sprung up in the wake of the new Indian activism that was blooming on reservations nationwide, with tribes demanding their rights as sovereign governments, and state and local governments saying “what?!” On the Lac Courte Oreilles reservation, tribal leaders and educators felt the increased polarization of the White and Indian communities was unhealthy for all involved and could lead to decreased tribal rights in the end. Communication between the cultures was considered essential to maintain a peaceful environment in northern Wisconsin.

A basic problem perceived by the tribes was that Whites in the community knew little about their Native neighbors. Out of these concerns came WOJB. A community radio station that would ideally help bridge the gap between the ideas and opinions to be aired. And a means for educating the people of the region on everything they ever wanted to know about American Indians but were afraid to ask.

But while presenting the history of the region and its indigenous population is an important part of the station's mission, the founders, in their infinite wisdom, decided the station could also educate by presenting to the people out in the woods of Wisconsin the best national programming available. We strive to present the widest variety of programming that our low budget can stand.

All in all, I suppose WOJB is a lot like other community radio stations-- broke. The money thing. Bummer. There's never enough -- not for programming, not for equipment, and not for personnel. We are among the working poor. So why are we smiling? Maybe because sometimes we actually do something here that makes a difference, for the good. And if you grew up wanting to be a caped-crusader, a catcher in the rye, it aint a bad start. (written by former Program Director Dave Kellar)

WOJB FM 88.9 IS: Owned and operated by the Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe Tribe in Northwest Wisconsin. Out of all the Native Radio stations in the United States, WOJB is the only one east of the Mississippi River. 100,000 watts of Indian broadcast power, and now over the internet!

Our radio signal covers throughout Northern Wisconsin, Eastern Minnesota, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

A STAUNCH supporter of Indigenous peoples, and environmental issues.
A community leader in peace and justice issues.
Successfully operating since 1982.
An empowering mechanism, making radio production accessible through training and experience.
Locally and nationally supported by our contributing Members and Business Underwriters