The sold-out show had an audience of 300 listeners from near and far.
CHON-FM celebrated its 40th anniversary with a sold-out concert in Rotary Park on Saturday.
The anniversary concert invited Yukon artists such as Yukon Jack, Northstarr, and Dena Zagi to its stage, as well as headline acts Boogey the Beat and the C-Weed Band, to perform for 300 guests.
Boogey the Beat closes out the first half of CHON-FM’s 40th Anniversary Concert (Photo: S. Bonell)
Emcees Earl Darbyshire and Carl Carpentier also took time to invite speakers on stage to share their stories and experiences from working at CHON-FM. Guest speakers also shared memories of working with key players in the early years, including founder George Henry, and former Champagne and Aishihik First Nations Chief Bob Charlie, who passed away earlier this month.
Indigenous Connections host Charles Eshleman took a moment later in the concert to honour the legendary Ben Charlie with a lifetime achievement award for all his work with the station.
“Ben, I’d just like to present this to you for all the love in the room, and all the love in the Yukon, and all the love that we can possibly give you tonight, and more!” said Eshleman at the event. “For all your time you’ve been on the radio; we’ll always tune in! We’ll always be tuning in! Mahsi’ cho!”
CHON-FM thanks its supporters and listeners for a successful 40 years, and looks forward to the future of Indigenous radio in the Yukon.