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Hay River-born Teara Fraser launches airline in Vancouver

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Teara Fraser, who was born in Hay River, is the founder and CEO of Iskwew Air at Vancouver International Airport. Photo courtesy of Teara Fraser.

A woman with ties to Hay River has made aviation history in Canada.

Teara Fraser, who was born in Hay River, is believed to be the first Indigenous woman to launch an airline on her own in the country.

"To the best of my knowledge, and I would suspect that after all the media attention over the last five days if there was someone else that had done it they would certainly come forward," she said late last week of creating Iskwew Air, with 'Iskwew' being the Cree word for woman.

Fraser, the CEO of Iskwew Air, was referring to the attention she received after a Sept. 21 news release announced that, as a first step, her new venture sought the blessing and permission of the Musqueam people before operating on their traditional territory at Vancouver International Airport.

"It was very important for us to seek the blessing at the very beginning stages before business moved ahead to ensure Iskwew Air begins operations in a good way," she explained.

Fraser is the sole owner and founder of the charter air service.

"Iskwew Air is at the very beginning stages," she said, noting it will start operating on March 8, 2019.

Teara Fraser, who was born in Hay River, is the founder and CEO of Iskwew Air at Vancouver International Airport. Photo courtesy of Teara Fraser.
Teara Fraser, who was born in Hay River, is the founder and CEO of Iskwew Air at Vancouver International Airport. Photo courtesy of Teara Fraser.

"It's a humble start with a big vision," she added. "We're starting with one eight-seat aircraft, a Piper Navajo."

Fraser was born in Hay River in 1971. Her family left the community when she was a small child before she started school.

However, she still has some family members in Hay River.

Her grandfather came from Fort Chipewyan, Alta., and settled in Hay River where he raised his family.

"I call Fort Chip my homeland because our family was there for many generations," said Fraser.

She got her commercial pilot's licence more than 15 years ago.

"The first time I was ever in a small plane, I fell in love with flight," she said. "And I decided that I really wanted to become a pilot. And that seemed like a real impossible thing for someone like me, and then my second time in a small plane I just decided that I needed to make that happen. And I did."

Before she became a pilot, she worked in administration.

As for why she wanted to start her own airline, she explained, "I love to fly, but I also have an entrepreneurial spirit."

Fraser noted aviation is a very male-dominated industry, and she has faced many challenges and experienced gender bias in that career.

"What I can say is that the rewards have far exceeded the challenges," she said.

Vancouver International Airport has welcomed Iskwew Air.

"We are excited to partner with Iskwew Air and look forward to what the future holds for this new airline," said Anne Murray, vice-president of airline business development and public affairs at the airport, in a news release. "Teara is a leader in the industry with a bold vision for the airline and has been involved in many successful aviation ventures throughout the years."

Fraser has extensive commercial aviation experience having owned and operated Kisik Aerial Survey Inc., which she recently sold.

She has also served on the B.C. Aviation Council for the last seven years in various capacities as executive director, strategic advisor and director.

Iskwew Air has a vision to provide scheduled service to remote communities across British Columbia in the future, increasing accessibility to transportation and bolstering Indigenous tourism. It will provide a cultural experience to passengers from the moment they check-in until they reach their destinations.

"For me, I'm combining two of my passions," said Fraser. "I'm combining my passion and experience in aviation with my commitment and care and love for Indigenous people."