CanadaB次元官网网址檚 first airline to be founded and owned by an Indigenous woman is all clear for takeoff.
Iskwew Air, located out of Vancouver International AirportB次元官网网址檚 south terminal, officially launched on Friday, in honour of International WomenB次元官网网址檚 Day.
CEO Teara Fraser and her eight-seat Piper Navajo will provide charter flights between the Lower Mainland and smaller communities that donB次元官网网址檛 have access to frequent airline service.
Since the beginning, FraserB次元官网网址檚 goal has been to use her airline to bolster Indigenous tourism and empower women in aviation B次元官网网址� starting with her companyB次元官网网址檚 name, Iskwew (pronounced iss-KWAY-oh), which is the Cree word for woman.
HAPPENING NOW! is officially launching . Alec Dan is welcoming us in a good way to the territory of the Musqueam peopleB次元官网网址檚 that will call home.
B次元官网网址� Iskwew Air (@IskwewAir)
B次元官网网址淚ndigenous women have been matriarchs, leaders, knowledge keepers, strategists, healers, and sophisticated entrepreneurs since time immemorial,B次元官网网址� said Fraser, who is Metis, in a news release.
B次元官网网址淏y including and amplifying these important and powerful voices, we can see a whole new future full of innovation, strength and economic prosperity.B次元官网网址�
WATCH:
During FridayB次元官网网址檚 launch, Fraser also announced an initiative to inspire Indigenous youth to explore a career in aviation.
Through events around the province, the Give Them Wings program will give youth and their families the opportunity to learn more about aviation and what it takes to be a pilot.
BC Aviation Council chair Heather Bell said encouraging and recruiting young people is a key piece to reversing B次元官网网址渁 looming human resource shortageB次元官网网址� in the industry.
B次元官网网址淭here is potential for this shortage to have significant impacts on Indigenous communities, should commercial providers find themselves unable to service remote and northern routes,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淭he need is real, the time is now. It is vital that programs like Give Them Wings exist.B次元官网网址�
