Cameco and Orano have signed a historic 15-year agreement with the Indigenous-owned airline company Rise Air.
The landmark agreement is said to be worth $500 million and will see Rise Air provide workforce transportation services for Cameco and Orano in northern Saskatchewan over the next decade and a half.
At an event in Saskatoon Thursday morning celebrating the agreement, Black Lake First Nation Chief Coreen Sayazie spoke on how previous agreements of these kings were short-term.
“That made it challenging to plan invest and to imagine what the future can hold,” she said. “Today that changes as we step into a new era of stability and opportunity.”
Several dignitaries, northerners, and company leaders were on hand for the event to celebrate the agreement.
“Securing a 15-year agreement is truly trans-formative for Rise Air,” said CEO Derek Nice. “It means we can plan for the future with confidence.”
“The renewal of this longstanding partnership through the signing of a new contract signifies our confidence in Rise Air and our commitment to continuing to work together, as we prepare for the bright future ahead for the Saskatchewan uranium industry,” added Jim Corman, President and CEO of Orano Canada.
Many of the dignitaries spoke on the renewed connection to northern communities and growth in regional economic development this agreement will provide.
Some also took time to note the Dziret’ai pilot training program, which will see its first graduating class of northern pilots this upcoming spring.