Thanks to a $1M investment from the Government of Canada and the Government of Saskatchewan, the Ya’ thi Néné Land and Resource Office will be able to deliver the Dziret’ái Pilot Training Program to Indigenous students in Northern Saskatchewan this year. The commercial pilot training program will kick off this Fall with 15 students who will take part in an elevated skills program; 10 of these participants will be selected to enter the two-year professional pilot training program, which will start in January 2025. A formal graduation ceremony is planned for June 2026 and graduates will be guaranteed jobs as First Officers with Rise Air. “This program not only empowers our community members but also echoes our mission to foster sustainable development and opportunities in the Athabasca Basin,” said Ya’ thi Néné Lands and Resources Board Chair Mary Denechezhe. “Together with our partners, we are creating pathways to success for Indigenous residents and women, ensuring they have the support and resources they need to thrive in the aviation industry.”
