The first cohort of northern students in the Dziret’Ai Pilot Training Program have successfully completed Ground School and have now advanced to flight training.
Last summer, 105 people applied for the program with 15 chosen from among those applications.
Now that number has been reduced further, with 9 select students chosen to complete the pilot program.
Derek Nice, CEO for Rise Air, says the program reflects a three-year vision of ensuring northern planes flying into northern communities were crewed by northerners.
“It was an inspiring vision, but three years ago, we didn’t know how we were going to achieve it,” he said. “Yet, here we are three years later celebrating and honoring 9 indigenous students who are going to make that vision a reality.”
Nice says the 9 aspiring pilots from communities across the north were chosen because they showcase the skills necessary to becoming successful pilots.
“They’re being held to exactly the same standards as every other student pilot across this country, And they are going to win their wings because they will have proved to be amongst the best pilots anywhere in Canada today,” said Nice.
Nice made the comments at an event in Saskatoon Friday morning where several dignitaries and interested parties were on hand to celebrate the program and the students.
For the northern Saskatchewan representatives on hand the sentiment was that it was a big day for the north.
“This is a moment of pride not just for you your families and your communities, but all of us in northern Saskatchewan as well,” said Mary Denecheze, chairperson for Ya’Thi Nene Lands and Resource.
“This is a tremendous and huge achievement for our far north,” echoed Black Lake First Nation Chief Coreen Sayazie.
The students will now complete the program over the next several months at the Mitchinson Flight Centre in Saskatoon.
A graduation ceremony is set for June 2026.
The pilot training was made possible through several contributions from both private and public donators.
(TOP PHOTO – Elders play a Dene drum song to honor the pilot students. Photo by Joel Willick.)