Pilots flying medevac missions into remote Northern Manitoba communities will be featured in a documentary series on APTN next year.
Northern Air Rescue, produced by RealWorld Media, has been greenlit by APTN and is now beginning production in Manitoba, following Missinippi Airways pilots and other staff as they transport patients for medical care.
The series is expected to begin airing in 2022.
“In each half hour episode, Northern Air Rescue flies along with Missinippi’s blended team of Indigenous and non-Indigenous pilots, paramedics and ground crew. It’s remarkable to witness their heroism in the face of overwhelming odds,” said Northern Air Rescue producer and director Denis Paquette in a news release announcing the series.
Missinippi crews average more than 25 emergency medevac flights per week and pilots, including some who are Indigenous and female, are role models for their communities.
“Young female Indigenous pilots are shaking up this once male-dominated industry,” said series producer and director Carmen Henriquez. “They are carving a space for themselves in aviation as the first Indigenous medevac team flight crew and we hope this series will inspire the next generation of Indigenous pilots.”
Missinippi Airways is owned by Mathias Colomb Cree Nation (MCCN), which also owns the Grace Lake Airport in The Pas, making it unique in owning and operating both an airline and a certified airport.
“Missinippi Airways is proud to collaborate with RealWorld Media on their project ‘Northern Air Rescue,’” said the company’s general manager Ricky Brenton. “Missinippi Airways is excited to show the world how we work with all cultures to provide essential and sometimes lifesaving medevac missions for all citizens of Manitoba and beyond. This extends to the forest fire evacuation season and the scheduled service we provide to our owner community of Pukatwagan. The initial and continued vision of community leaders over the more than 30 years of operation has led the company to where we are today.”
*This article has been changed from its original version due to changes made to the press release announcing the series.
