Plane partners keep First Nation soaring

FOND-DU-LAC - The Fond-du-Lac Denesuline First Nation flew media types up to the northern shores of Lake Athabasca on Thursday to celebrate its economic success.

"We're looking at the future and it looks bright for the Athabasca," said Chief Albert Mercredi.

The mostly Dene community of about 1,600 sits on the eastern arm of the large northern lake, between Stony Rapids and Uranium City.

It's an isolated community, its only ground connection to the outside world a seasonal ice-road. The rest of the time, supplies and people are barged in from Stony Rapids or flown via Transwest Air.

The band has made some good business moves over the last few decades and was eager to show off the results with a get-together at the airstrip terminal.

One such move is the partnership with Transwest.

The band teamed up with the airline in 1996 and the band now has full ownership of three aircraft, including former Alberta premier Ralph Klein's old personal jet, which they lease out to Transwest. They also own part of another plane.

It's an $8 million investment that brings in about $50,000 a month to the band - its major source of income, according to Napoleon Mercredi, economic development co-ordinator. They also built the terminal building, which they lease out to the airline.

Most of that revenue goes towards building equity for the band's development corporation, to further their business ventures.

That capital could go towards buying more planes, Albert said.

The rest goes towards the needs of the community, whatever they might be.

"It could go to a skating rink or anything, really," said Napoleon.

There are new employment opportunities available, too. About five locals work at the terminal, and the First Nation could very well have its own aircraft engineers and pilots down the road, according to the chief.

With 300 students in the community, it is one of the youngest First Nations in northern Saskatchewan, Albert said. That's why he's eager to see "our own people operate our own airlines."

Transwest managing partner Jim Glass started flying into Fond-du-Lac in 1983 and his father first landed there in 1947.

"It's important for you kids to know that what your parents are doing now is going to provide you jobs down the way," said Glass, addressing students at the press conference

The aviation partnership has allowed freer travel for Fond-du-Lac residents to surrounding areas and down south, according to Coun. Willy John Laurent, thanks to seat sales and discounted rates in emergency cases.

Part of the airline's success in the Athabasca basin is due to the presence of resource extraction industries, said Albert. All the workers coming to and from sites in the region need to be flown in by Transwest.

In addition, the band benefits directly in income and employment through its partnership with several companies through the Athabasca Basin Development Limited Partnership. Napoleon estimated that mining alone employs about 150 Fond-du-Lac residents.

mgauk@paherald.sk.ca