Cape Dorset (July 12/04) - Kanayuk Bell was sweating inside the small radio studio in the community centre in Cape Dorset last week.

"It's warm in here," said Bell with a laugh before turning her attention back to the airwaves at 105.1 FM.

Bell has a large following. Inside the West Baffin Eskimo Co-op the staff tune in to Bell all the time.

You never know what you will hear -- a country song by George Jones or something more rocking by Nazareth.

Bell also has a wide range of older recordings of elders from the community telling stories.

Cape Dorset Mayor Matthew Jaw said really likes listening to the recordings of the elders whenever they come on.

Community fixture

She has been on radio since 1976, becoming a fixture in the community.

People rely heavily on the radio in Cape Dorset, Jaw said.

"Search and rescue, if there are polar bears, the weather -- everything," said Jaw.

"It is very important."

The way people respond to radio has changed a lot since 1976 when she was just a nervous 15-year-old in front of the mic.

"People want things announced right away," Bell said. "People are in a rush."

In the beginning there were three workers at the station which was located in a building next to the Co-op.

"I was nervous," she said of the early days. "My voice was really shaky."

She isn't shaky any more and her voice has gained strength as call-in listeners continue to discuss every base imaginable.

Topics can range from good sales in town to are there any taxis on the road?

Bell works Monday to Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m, and from 5-6 p.m., even on weekends.

"I like to play music. I like to get happy," said Bell.