and the whole Earth will become one circle again. ― Lakota Blessing attributed to Crazy Horse
In 1986 “Ernie Scar” (now publically identified as the late Tim Hitchner, a local DJ in Alberta) was given a tape of a controversial and somewhat offensive radio parody. “Ernie” and a few friends decided that they wanted to apply a similar idea to both the local Natives and the Hutterite community in Southern Alberta. Although “Jake Radio”, the Hutterite spinoff never became more than an idea, Brocket 99 took off like fire through hell.
“In Southern Alberta it’s white bread“ says “Scar“. “You’ve got cowboys and Indians… What if the Indians on the Brocket reserve, a bunch of drunk Indians, had their own radio station? What would it sound like?”
“It was a joke”; says the man who was only in his twentys when the parody was made. “It was never meant to be heard by anyone outside of this circle of three or four people. But years later; You dub one and tell someone and they’ll dub one and tell someone. And he’ll dub 10 copies and tell 10 friends and on and on and on.” Brocket 99 grew a life of its own. And now, thanks to the internet, there’s worldwide interest.
"I think a common misconception for many people is still that Ernie Scar is still out in the workforce every day doing his thing ... Hence we get these demands from people like this cowboy for me to "come clean" and apologize so i can "save my neck". That's all I mean about living back in 1986. That's where this thing is for me ... a snapshot from a scrapbook of Alberta in 1986. Its like asking John Lennon to talk about the White Album. His experience is not the same as that of the rabid fans. Ernie Scar doesn't work here anymore. I just wish people could get that through their heads."
