'A proud moment': Pilot training program launches for Indigenous people in Sask.'s Athabasca Basin

A new pilot training program for Indigenous people in Saskatchewan's Athabasca Basin through charted airline Rise Air was announced Thursday.

The Dziret'ái Pilot Training Program is a collaboration between Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan), the government of Saskatchewan, Rise Air, Prince Albert Grand Council, Cameco, Orano and SSR Mining. 

The program will provide full funding and a pathway to success in aviation for a newly selected pool of applicants. 

Coreen Sayazie, chief of Black Lake First Nation, told CBC Thursday afternoon that Rise Air is the only airline in the Far North, and it has limited pilots. 

"That's where the idea came. We could bring the pilot training into the Far North and have our Indigenous youth, community members of the Far North take this training and give them opportunities to reach the skies," said Sayazie.

The chief said the new program has fostered excitement and energy in the Athabasca Basin. 

"I hear a lot of youth applying and saying they're excited … that this is something they've always wanted. So today, it was an important day."

Jeremy Harrison, Saskatchewan's minister of immigration and career training, said in a press release Thursday that air transportation is "essential for connecting remote and northern communities and supporting the growing economy."

"With growing demand of airline pilots there is a critical need to support the training and development of pilots," Harrison said.

Air travel is the main means of transportation for those in the Far North, as many communities are fly-in only. 

"Our mode of transportation since I was a child [has] only been on airplanes. It's natural for us to get on the plane," Sayazie said, drawing a comparison with car travel in central and south Saskatchewan.

According to the press release, the Dziret'ái Pilot Training Program will give aspiring pilots a "comprehensive pathway" to earn their wings. It will also provide applicants the opportunity to begin their careers as first officers with Rise Air once they finish the program.

Raising up northern Indigenous youth

Rosalie Tsannie-Burseth, a Dene Rise Air board member, told CBC there are no Indigenous pilots currently working for Rise Air. She's excited to see that change. 

"You want to provide the best opportunity for students to see the world just so they can [say], 'I can do this,'" Tsannie-Burseth said. 

"And I want to see the day when they land in our communities. I told the elders here that we're playing the drums when those young Dene pilots land. The drums have to be there to celebrate the success"

Dan Vandal, minister for PrairiesCan, said in a press release that the Dziret'ái Pilot Training Program collaboration will lead to good-paying jobs for local Indigenous residents, while also filling a "critical need" for pilots in northern Saskatchewan.

Now that it's been launched, the pilot training program will place its 15 successful applicants into the elevated skills program — a fully funded skills and upgrading component that will run from mid-September to December. 

After that phase is complete, 10 of the 15 students will be selected to enter the pilot training program, beginning in January 2025. 

Training will take place at Mitchinson Flight Centre in Saskatoon. Cultural supports, including the presence of elders and knowledge keepers, will be integrated into the program. And there will be opportunities to participate in cultural events. 

A formal graduation ceremony is planned for June 2026.

"You just feel like you want to cry," said Sayazie. "It is really exciting because it's specifically geared for the Athabasca Basin. It's a proud moment today for our people."