Thursday, May 30, 2013 - 08:00
Three First Nations in Northwestern Ontario have signed multi-year agreements with Wisk Air Helicopters to participate in helicopter services in their traditional territories near the Ring of Fire.
The helicopter company has inked memorandums of understanding with Mikawaa (Marten Falls), Eabametoong (Fort Hope) and Webequie.
Under the agreements, Wisk Air and each First Nation will have joint oversight over helicopter services used by industrial and mining companies in their respective territories.
Wisk Air president Mark Wiskemann said Wednesday that the “agreements recognize that the rightful stakeholders and landholders, who are clearly the First Nations, are a vital component to the management and development of all projects in their region.
“We seek to engage and support these First Nations in order to bring prosperity to their communities,” Wiskemann said.
Wisk Air has also agreed to provide opportunities for aboriginal youth, including sanctioned forest fire and drill training, as well as helicopter ground training.
Wisk Air worked with the communities for several years to reach the agreements.
Eabametoong Coun. Charlie Okeese said the community has a great relationship with Wisk Air, and is impressed by the company’s “mutual respect and level of commitment” to the region’s aboriginal communities.
Wisk Air has a similar agreement with the Red Rock band in the Nipigon area, and a partnership in a joint-venture Innu-owned company in Goose Bay, Labrador (Big Land Aviation Ltd.).
Wisk Air Helicopters has been working in the Ring of Fire since the mining site was discovered in 2007. It is the sole supplier of helicopter services for major mining companies in the region, as well as many junior companies.
http://www.chroniclejournal.com/content/news/local/2013/05/30/wisk-air-secures-ring-fire-work
