xʷq̓axintəl̕ ct (walking the path together): all-Indigenous flight departs from YVR

On April 27, a special flight departed Vancouver International Airport (YVR) with a powerful message: Indigenous leadership is soaring. Operated by an all-Indigenous Air Canada crew and bound for Toronto, this flight marked a key milestone on the journey toward reconciliation and representation in aviation.

The flight was organized in partnership with Air Canada and the First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC), a national non-profit established by First Nations for First Nations. It carried delegates to the coalition’s 8th annual conference, a key event focused on Indigenous participation in major project development.

Onboard the Boeing 777 were nine Indigenous flight attendants and an Indigenous pilot, joined by Indigenous ground crew at the gates. A departure event was marked by a traditional Musqueam welcome and a ceremony onboard, honouring the cultural significance of the moment. Remarks were delivered by Mary Point, YVR’s Director of Indigenous Relations; Jim Hemsworth, Manager of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation at Air Canada; and FNMPC board members led by Steve Saddleback.

“I had such good feelings in my heart as we shared protocol with our Indigenous friends from across the nations — and when they responded with their teachings,” added Mary Point. “I felt a sense of the way it once was, before the airport was here… a true sense of connection as we wished them all “nem̓ ʔewəɬ - Safe Travels - Bon Voyage.”

This moment is a testament to what’s possible when organizations work together to create opportunities and elevate Indigenous voices. At YVR, we are proud to support initiatives that reflect our shared values and help build a more inclusive future for aviation in Canada as we walk a path of reconciliation and learning together.

Photo: Célian Genier, Air Canada