Yaqui Express

Another public radio fast-track for the INPI, this time in the heart of Sonora

For the second time in two years, the Instituto Nacional de los Pueblos Indígenas has gotten on the fast track to a new radio station. This time, the primary localities to serve are seven Yaqui communities between Guaymas and Ciudad Obregón, Sonora.

The assignment is a Class B FM — the only such public assignment this year and one of two in the entire PABF, alongside a social B for Imi, Campeche — and will serve Vícam Pueblo, Pótam, Tórim, Huírivis, Ráhum, Belém, Loma de Bácum and Loma de Guamúchil (Cócorit), in the municipalities of Guaymas, Bácum and Cajeme. Tórim will be the location of the new station’s studios, per the INPI, while the tower will be at Vícam Pueblo. (Vícam Pueblo is in the municipality of Guaymas but 67 km from the city and 40 km from Ciudad Obregón.) Call sign and frequency have not been published by either agency.

Class Bs are quite rare for new station awards as more FMs are authorized. Generally, since migration, new stations are Class B1 or lower. In addition to those migrants that were approved for power boosts to help replicate their AM coverage areas and became Class B, C1 or C stations as a result, only one new station has been approved for a high class out of the gate in recent years: XHSIL-FM 99.9 in Siltepec, Chiapas, a Class C1 facility.

Part of a Bigger Plan

Last year, the INPI’s historic fast-track of XHCPBS-FM Nacajuca, Tabasco, had more obvious political overtones (while also correcting a 30-year wrong). It was in Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s old stomping grounds, and AMLO himself had worked at the old XENAC.

This year, the establishment of a radio station is part of a different method of making amends for past indiscretions: the Yaqui People Justice Plan, Talks have been held with local indigenous authorities since 2019, when a framework was agreed to at Pótam. The plan covers topics like land and water rights, economic development, public works and a new university to be built in Vícam Pueblo.

Not all are fully on board. Loma de Bácum, for instance, has not participated in talks. It is trying to prevent a private company from building a pipeline nearby.

Seeing Double

If the name Vícam Pueblo might sound familiar already, the INPI’s plans mark the second radio station to be awarded to serve the community in recent months. A social indigenous station was approved to be built on 107.9 MHz in the community on November 18, 2020.

The facility will most likely legalize the fairly recent online community station in Estación Vícam, Námakasia Radio, already broadcasting without a concession at 87.7 MHz. Founded three years ago, it in turn is the successor to a program that aired on the short-lived Voz Sonora XHGYM-FM in Guaymas. Its founders credit it with reviving interest in Yaqui traditions.