Signals in the Air Native Broadcasting in America

Subjects:

• Popular Culture » Radio, TV
• Communications » Mass Media
• Multicultural Studies » Native American Studies

Reviews:

• Although of particular interest to Native American broadcasters, their audiences, and Native American studies specialists, this book affords an interesting, unexpected angle on a number of important, current issues of general interest. Keith has brought together valuable, detailed historical information about native broadcasting and firsthand accounts of the problems and prospects faced by native broadcasters. Politics, culture, and communication are central topics in the current context of multiculturalism and high technology, and this book presents an interesting case study of some basic issues. Upper-division undergraduate and above.
  —
  Choice
• Breaks important new ground in communication studies by shedding light on the "first minority" and its growing use of electronic media. Keith provides a valuable service with this readable survey of a fascinating market, almost totally unknown outside of Native American circles. And it has currency in the political world given the debate on the future of funding for public broadcasting as many of these stations receive support from CPB. Important reading offering considerable insight by an expert observer.
  —
  Communication Booknotes
• Little has been published about Native American broadcasting. There are a few scholarly articles and segments in books about ethnic broadcasting, but nothing that compares with Signals in the Air. This book offers a readable history of Native broadcasting in the United States, together with fairly detailed profiles of individual Native-owned stations that are in operation today. Signals in the Air offers a fascinating window into one small part of life in Indian Country. The book is well written and logically organized. This book is important because it is the most current and complete piece of literature available on indigenous broadcasting in America.
  —Journal Radio Studies
• With so much disinformation going out over the airwaves, Signals in the Air is a valuable contribution to the ethnic broadcasting industry.
  —The Cape Codder
• ...in light of recent federal cuts threatening public broadcasting, this book appears especially relevant. This is a readable book and somewhat of a breakthrough for the Native broadcasting industry, consonant with their views and struggle to cope with foriegn culture thrust upon them. It would be useful for classes in broadcasting history or in the social science study of Native Americans.
  —Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly

• Endorsement From Mr. Frank Blythe
  
  Founding Member and Executive Director
  
  
  Native American Public Broadcasting Consortium: This book is a significant achievement and a welcome addition to the small list of publications on this subject. It gives those of us who work in the field a chance to see where we have come from and an opportunity to reflect on where we are headed.
• Endorsement From Mr. Ray Cook
  
  
  Executive Director
  
  
  Indigenous Communications ossociation: Signals in the Air is a book that ICA and the Indigenous broadcast community helped create with Michael Keith and one which we fully endorse.
• Endorsement From Robert Hilliard
  
  
  Professor of Communications
  
  
  Emerson College: It is not only a breakthrough . . . but it provides that group itself with information.
• Endorsement From Mr. Norman Corwin
  
  
  "Radio's Poet Laureate" and author of
  
  
  Norman Corwin's Letters: . . . Indeed a breakthrough. The theme is stirring and important.
• Endorsement From Mr. Bruce DuMont
  
  
  President
  
  
  Museum of Broadcast Communications
  : Information regarding Native American broadcasting is extremely limited and a book of this nature by an author of Mr. Keith's stature will be of great value to the broadcasting industry, and any student of broadcasting/history/social studies.

Table of Contents:

• Foreword by Suzan Shown Harjo
• Foreword by Frank Blythe
• Preface
• Murmurs to Metawce: Early Native Broadcasts
• Arrow with Voices: Evolution of Native Stations
• Abetting Silakkuagvik: Native Broadcast Funding
• Talking Hogans: The Native Stations
• Waves for Kekewh: Impact of Indigenous Programming
• Traversing the Gorge: Challenges for Indian Broadcasters
• In the Hands of Oyaron: Prospects for Native Broadcasting
• Afterword by Peggy Berryhill
• Further Reading
• Index