Air Canada Salutes Its Indigenous Employees

Air Canada marked National Indigenous Peoples Day by highlighting the achievements and contributions of its Indigenous employees.

This week, AC185 from Toronto to Vancouver, operated with Air Canada’s flagship Boeing 787 Dreamliner, was flown by an all-Indigenous full crew of two pilots and nine flight attendants.

The flight was also supported by Indigenous employees on the ground.

And you can check out a video – https://vimeo.com/343369521 – that features the crew and the flight’s traditional Musqueam welcome on arrival at Vancouver is here.

Arielle Meloul-Wechsler, senior vice president – people, culture & communications for Air Canada, observed: “We are honoured to salute and acknowledge the achievements and contributions of Air Canada’s 350 First Nations, Inuit and Métis employees, who originated the idea of operating a flight with an all-Indigenous crew.”

Meloul-Wechsler continued: “We are thrilled to champion their pride in their identity and their professional attainments in aviation, which also makes them incredible ambassadors for our company and role models for young people. As well, we are appreciative of our Indigenous employees’ desire to help us demonstrate that Air Canada is a company that promotes and celebrates diversity and is a company open to and welcoming of all talents.”

JP Gladu, president and CEO of the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB), said: “Leading by example, Air Canada is first out of the gate to deploy an entirely Indigenous-operated flight acknowledging the contributions of their Indigenous employees. This is an unprecedented move to advance Indigenous participation and business initiatives, and will motivate other companies to support long-term sustainable opportunities that enhance our economy.”

And Gladu added: “I am proud and honoured that Air Canada is a CCAB member and look forward to our continued partnership together.”

“Air Canada has been a valued supporter of Indspire for 27 years as Founding Partner and Official Airline of the Indspire Awards. With this initiative, they are demonstrating that they really walk the talk,” said Roberta Jamieson, president and CEO of Indspire.

Jamieson continued: “When I speak with First Nations, Inuit and Métis students, I tell them they can do anything they set their minds to, so to see themselves well represented in this industry really drives that point home. Bravo Air Canada!”

Go to www.aircanada.com for more.