Petersen looks to take Native Voice One to new heights

Native Voice One (NV1) recently hired Bob Petersen as network manager at Koahnic Broadcast Corporation. He arrived in Anchorage about a month ago from Bethel and was brought to expand the program offerings for NV1.

Based in Anchorage, Koahnic Broadcast Corporation is a nonprofit Alaska Native-governed and operated media center. NV1, locally on 90.3 KNBA, is part of the distribution division of Koahnic that offers Native-themed programing with the aim to educate, advocate, and celebrate indigenous life and values. Petersen brings with him an understanding of rural Alaska.

“One thing from growing up in Bethel is you learn to get along,” Petersen said. “It’s a small community and with people from different and emerging cultures, with different backgrounds. You learn to rely on and help people.”

Petersen went to college and earned a degree in business. He ended up working in social services, serving on various boards, and provided financial and business consulting. While in Bethel he volunteered at KYUK and at his college radio station. He had always been active in his community but he explained there seemed to be something missing.

Out of Bethel, much of Petersen’s broadcast background comes from his podcast, “Eskimo Bob Lives” where he interviewed musicians, authors and community members. Looking for a creative outlet, Petersen produced the area podcasts and that is where he found a greater sense of fulfillment.

Now in Anchorage, NV1 programing will be carried by over 175 affiliate stations, reaching reservations, village-based stations, and larger markets throughout the U.S. and Canada.

“We have eleven programs,” Petersen explained. “Our shows covers talk, news, and music. We have great talk shows like ‘Native America Calling’, a live show that runs Monday through Friday. People call across the nation talking about specific issues that are affecting Indian Country. We really get a lot of interaction.”

The NV1 programs seek to inform the public, in general, and Native people about news, culture, history, music, events, and modern life of Native Americans. NV1 programming strives to offer entertaining, thought-provoking content that is timely and culturally-sensitive.

Nationally, the big topics in the Indian Country have been Standing Rock and the Dakota Access Pipeline. More recently the senate health care bill has been an issue, and then there are sovereign rights and other developing issues.

“I really feel that the Native voice is going to be one of healing,” Petersen said. “There are always issues happening but recently with all the division, animosity, and chaos that’s happening it seems like it’s just burgeoning out of control. It seems the case, but I don’t think it will. Once we get down to our humanity we are all the same when it gets down to it.”

Petersen explained that NV1 aims to provide an inclusive message; it’s not just for Native people. It’s not just for those trying to understand Native people or for entertainment purposes. It is supposed to be engaging, applicable, and entertaining with a Native perspective and enjoyable by many.

“Although NV1 is catered to Native voices touching on cultural items, for me there is a message of community,” Petersen continued. “It starts first with the person, then goes out to the family, the family then helps the neighborhood, the neighborhood then builds the town, and the town helps build everything else. Then, there you go.”

NV1 also offers a 24 hour web stream and has become a leader in bringing Native voices across North America with great content with programs like NV1, Native America Calling, National Native News and a growing list of other programs.

“One thing we are looking forward to is growing content,” Petersen said. “The voice is clear, the voice is strong but we need help in getting more of our voices out there. We are looking for folks to carry that voice, their story, and that’s what we are going to be doing.”

Look for NV1 locally on 90.3 KNBA, online at nv1.org, and station affiliates across the nation.