To commemorate the upcoming 50th anniversary of CKCU-FM, the National Arts Centre lobby is hosting an amazing collection of artifacts and oddities from five decades of community radio!

Typed scripts, reel-to-reel tape machines and CKCU‘s monthly program publication, Trans FM, have all been replaced by new technologies. Our shows have evolved, our logo has been re-designed, and – thank goodness – the hair styles in the photos of our on-air personalities have also changed!
CKCU‘s past is pretty fascinating, and the future of community radio is built on the foundations established in our first five decades.

Viewing the exhibit, which was compiled and curated by CKCU veteran Michael (tic) Houston, is absolutely free. Get a glimpse into our celebrated past by dropping in to the NAC lobby anytime between now and Wednesday, November 12th.

The CKCU 2025 Funding Drive kicks off today, October 24th, and we’re celebrating our 50th year of broadcasting with a fundraising goal of $193,100! 

CKCU is not only a community radio station — we’re a leader and advocate for independent and community media near and far. For 50 years, we have been on the FM airwaves as Canada’s first campus-community station. This history shows the power that we have as a community media organization to last, adapt, and thrive. It has given us vast experience and positioned us a leader and proud community broadcaster.

When you support CKCU, it’s not only about sustaining us as a station. It’s beyond that — it’s about standing with fellow independent media groups in community radio, community TV, and other digital networks and independent platforms to show that independent media matters everywhere.

CKCU is a place for a variety of voices and music, creativity, learning and growth, and community connection. It’s free, accessible, and powered by people. 

We would love for you to support CKCU and what we do, and join us in celebrating 50 years of broadcasting and independent media!

September’s Live Off The Floor session is with rappers dannydukess and HUG MOSH, and their thoughtfully crafted, clever and conscious songs. They took the opportunity to shift their approach to presenting their music in our smaller studio setting. 

CKCU Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the arrival of a new Station Director, Lia Kiessling.

Lia holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Carleton University and is a longtime listener and supporter of CKCU FM. After 17 years in Switzerland working in communications, advocacy and membership roles at the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the Internet Society and MSC Cruises, she is back in her hometown of Ottawa to join the CKCU community.

Lia brings decades of experience managing large teams of volunteers and overseeing complex budgets. With a long-standing passion for grassroots media, Lia is thrilled to be returning to a field that aligns so closely with her values.

“Lia also brings extensive fundraising expertise,” says Corrie Rabbe, Chair of the CKCU Board of Trustees. “The Board was especially impressed by her transparent, collaborative leadership style and her clear, inspiring vision for CKCU’s future. We’re confident in her ability to lead the station effectively and to navigate the challenges of today’s rapidly evolving media and economic landscape.”

“I’m thrilled to be joining CKCU — the community radio station I grew up listening to,” said Lia. “For 50 years, CKCU has been at the heart of Ottawa, supporting local people to be active in their community and have a voice in the media. I’m deeply grateful to the Board for their trust and I’m honoured to help carry that legacy forward.”

“It’s been a true privilege to serve as CKCU’s Interim Station Director,” said Anne-Marie, who has been
involved in local community radio for nearly 25 years. “I leave with a full heart and immense pride, having
met — and even exceeded — our fundraising goals in both 2023 and 2024. Together with our incredible staff and devoted volunteers, we reconnected CKCU with the community — from event tables to live broadcasts — and even relaunched the CKCU Kids Summer Radio Camp, a joyful mix of chaos, laughter, and learning. I’m confident that with Lia Kiessling now leading the way, the station is in excellent hands.”

As the leadership torch passes from the Interim Station Director to a permanent one, Corrie Rabbe shared, “On behalf of the CKCU Board, staff, and volunteers, I want to extend our heartfelt appreciation to Anne-Marie Brügger, who stepped into the role in 2023, and led the station with outstanding professionalism, dedication, and integrity. Having restored a strong sense of purpose and excitement at CKCU, she leaves the organization on solid financial and operational footing. We are sincerely grateful for her efforts in raising the profile of our community radio station and strengthening its future.”

We’re very excited to share a new CKCU FM project we’ve been working on —please welcome Live Off The Floor! This monthly series revolves around connecting with music, music makers, and the music community of the Ottawa area and beyond. Artists are invited to CKCU’s Studio B for an intimate live set that’s filmed in one take. Each month, we will be releasing new sessions of the series on the station’s YouTube channel for you to watch and enjoy. For the launch and first installment, we invited three of Ottawa’s finest DJs to the studio to kick things off with gusto and beats! Don’t miss out—check it out, and give the CKCU channel a follow while you’re there so you don’t miss out on upcoming new Live Off The Floor sessions!

As we celebrate 25 years of Asian Sounds, I find myself reflecting on my journey with CKCU, which began in the late ’70s when I was a journalism student at Carleton University. At the time, CKCU served as a training ground for journalism students, offering a hands-on experience that was both exciting and transformative. I fell in love with radio and its power to inform, connect, and inspire.

My journey in broadcasting started with producing radio shows for Dr. Dehejia’s Indian Morning. His knowledge and engaging presentations sparked my passion for radio, leading me to explore opportunities in Singapore and India. Radio was in my blood—my aunt was a producer and anchor at All India Radio, and together, we produced a drama in Pushto. That experience was both challenging and rewarding, as I wasn’t fluent in the language, but it was a memorable and enriching endeavor.

Fast forward to the mid-’80s, I returned to CKCU, picking up where I had left off. Volunteering for the Tuesday show, I received immense support and encouragement from the community. A few years later, I set out to create my own program—Asian Sounds. My initial vision was to move away from traditional Bollywood music and focus on a talk-show format. However, listener feedback made it clear that music was an essential part of the experience, so we adapted, finding a balance between engaging discussions and a rich musical selection.

Over these 25 years, my husband, our children, Meenakshi and Tejeshwar (TJ) and I have had the privilege of meeting a diverse array of people—from jazz musicians to Indian celebrities visiting Canada, and young talents eager to share their artistry. The community has always embraced Asian Sounds, whether to promote events or simply experience the thrill of being on air. We often invited guests to co-host, providing a platform for many emerging voices.

Beyond entertainment, Asian Sounds has remained committed to supporting the community, actively participating in fundraising efforts for mainstream charities such as the Cancer Society, Diabetes Canada, and the Heart Institute. Whenever the community needed a voice, we were there.

As we mark this milestone, I am deeply grateful for the journey, the friendships, and the unwavering support that have made Asian Sounds what it is today. Here’s to many more years of sharing stories, music, and connections.

By Jagjeet Sharma