Canada91裸聊视频檚 first airline to be founded and owned by an Indigenous woman is all clear for takeoff.

Iskwew Air, located out of Vancouver International Airport91裸聊视频檚 south terminal, officially launched on Friday, in honour of International Women91裸聊视频檚 Day.

CEO Teara Fraser and her eight-seat Piper Navajo will provide charter flights between the Lower Mainland and smaller communities that don91裸聊视频檛 have access to frequent airline service.

Since the beginning, Fraser91裸聊视频檚 goal has been to use her airline to bolster Indigenous tourism and empower women in aviation 91裸聊视频� starting with her company91裸聊视频檚 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 people91裸聊视频檚 that will call home.

91裸聊视频� Iskwew Air (@IskwewAir)

91裸聊视频淚ndigenous women have been matriarchs, leaders, knowledge keepers, strategists, healers, and sophisticated entrepreneurs since time immemorial,91裸聊视频� said Fraser, who is Metis, in a news release.

91裸聊视频淏y including and amplifying these important and powerful voices, we can see a whole new future full of innovation, strength and economic prosperity.91裸聊视频�

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During Friday91裸聊视频檚 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 91裸聊视频渁 looming human resource shortage91裸聊视频� in the industry.

91裸聊视频淭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,91裸聊视频� she said. 91裸聊视频淭he need is real, the time is now. It is vital that programs like Give Them Wings exist.91裸聊视频�