Tribe's radio station now broadcasting

PLUMMER - The Coeur d'Alene Tribe's new radio station, KWIS 88.3 FM, is now broadcasting.

The educational public radio station received its construction permit and initial approval from the Federal Communications Commission in 2008 and had a three year window in which to get the station on the air.

KWIS filed for its official license at the end of November and received its license to operate from the FCC on De 16.

"KWIS will be a great way for the Coeur d'Alene Tribe to strengthen and preserve our culture by sharing our stories, language and music with thousands of people across the reservation, both tribal and nontribal members," said station manager Sarah Carrillo Freeburg.

The station, which is owned by the Tribe, will feature local artists and musicians and will broadcast cultural content intended to help preserve the traditions and oral history of the Coeur d'Alene Tribe. KWIS, pronounced "kwee-ss" means "to be called" in the Coeur d'Alene language.

The radio station's signal is broadcast to approximately 8,000 households on the reservation from a tower located 10 miles east of Plummer near Parkline, and reaches a 20-mile radius. KWIS is a full-powered, 2 kilowatt station.