Dan and Mary Lou Smoke started internet hosting Canada’s longest-running Indigenous campus radio program after searching for religious steerage from an Ojibway elder who inspired them to teach the general public about their id and tradition.
That was in 1991. Since then, the couple’s present, known as Smoke Signals, broadcast within the London, Ont., space on CHRW Radio Western 94.9 FM, has led to numerous tales and, now, an honorary diploma from Western University.
On Friday, the Smokes will obtain one of six honorary doctorates on the college’s fall convocation for their work over three decades as broadcasters, lecturers, activists and writers.
WATCH | Mary Lou Smoke displays on beginning Smoke Signals along with her husband Dan in 1991:
Mary Lou Smoke displays on beginning Smoke Signals along with her husband Dan in 1991. The couple obtained an honourary diploma from Western University for their work in October 2022.
Dan is a member of the Seneca Nation of the Iroquois Confederacy and is initially from Six Nations of the Grand River Territory. Mary Lou is from Batchewana Bay First Nation on Lake Superior.
Three years in the past, Western University launched a mission to archive the radio present by way of the Faculty of Information and Media Studies.
The Smokes say they’re working to recruit the following technology of Indigenous broadcasters. However, they haven’t any plans to show off the microphone.
WATCH | Dan Smoke displays on what’s modified in Indigenous tradition in 30 years:
Dan Smoke and his spouse Mary Lou have been telling tales about Indingeous tradition on Western University’s campus radio since 1991 on their present Smoke Signals . Dan takes a moment to mirror on what’s modified in 30 years.