Rise Air

More than 2,400 seniors across 70 communities call northern Saskatchewan home. With just 18 long-term care beds available to serve the entire region, the need for a larger facility was clear.

On June 16, 2020, the Government of Saskatchewan announced its commitment to expand La Ronge's long-term care capacity from 16 to 80 beds. In 2023, the La Ronge & Area Long Term Care Fundraising Committee Inc. was established to raise $5 million in support of the new care home and dialysis unit.

In August 2026, Rise Air celebrated 30 years of Medevac service in partnership with La Ronge EMS. During the event, Rise Air and majority owner Athabasca Basin Development announced a combined donation of $42,000 to support the long-term care facility.

"We believe that creating a positive impact in our communities and for our employees, stakeholders, and customers is at the heart of our mission," said Dan Gold, Director of Marketing and Stakeholder Relations at Rise Air. "As our population ages, facilities like this will become increasingly important. Caring for our seniors is a responsibility shared by all of society."

Geoff Gay, CEO of Athabasca Basin Development, added, "It is our pleasure to contribute to this project. What makes this donation especially meaningful is that two of our ownership communities will directly benefit from the facility. Supporting initiatives like this is important to Athabasca Basin Development."

Jacob Page, Fundraising Coordinator for the La Ronge & Area Long Term Care Fundraising Committee Inc., accepted the donation on behalf of the committee, helping bring the project one step closer to reality.

"I'd like to thank Rise Air and Athabasca Basin Development for their contributions to our fundraising efforts," said Page. "We have reached more than 67 per cent of our $5-million goal, and 85 per cent of those donations have come from local supporters."

At Rise Air, we are proud to support initiatives that strengthen northern communities. Providing Medevac services 24/7 is a key part of serving the community, but we wanted to go further, by contributing to this important project, we are helping create a lasting impact for seniors and their families across northern Saskatchewan.

A big thank you to everyone who stopped by to connect with the Rise Air and Snowbird Aviation Services team at the Careers in Aviation Expo in Abbotsford, B.C.

It was a pleasure for Jake and Dan to meet so many students, aspiring aviation professionals and experienced industry members, who share a passion for flight. We enjoyed discussing the many career opportunities available across our organizations, from pilots and aircraft maintenance engineers to operations, ground support, customer service, and corporate roles.

Events like this are an important opportunity to showcase the rewarding careers available in aviation while building connections with the next generation of talent. We were inspired by the enthusiasm, questions, and conversations throughout the day.

Thank you for taking the time to visit our booth, learn more about our organizations, and explore the possibilities of a career in aviation. We look forward to seeing many of you in the industry in the years ahead.

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This weekend, join the team from Rise Air and Snowbird Aviation Services at Careers in Aviation, Abbotsford.

Rise Air - Safe - Reliable - Competitive.

Exciting opportunities!
• Workforce Transportation
• Charter Flights
• Medevac
• Cargo
• Scheduled Services

Looking for:
• Experienced Captains
• Aircraft Maintenance Engineers
• Aviation professionals looking for a new opportunity.

Fly Canada's most advanced turboprop aircraft - The brand new ATR 72-600!

Fleet:
• ATR 72-600 - Canada's 1st operator!
• ATR 42-500 combi
• Beechcraft 1900D
• Beechcraft King Air B200s
• De Havilland Twin Otters
• De Havilland Beaver - our heritage model.

NEWS
Fourth brand new ATR 72-600 to join the fleet.

Recognized by the Government of Canada and Government of Saskatchewan for 30 years of medevac services - 30,000 missions!

100% Indigenous owned

Find out more!
https://events.annexbusinessmedia.com/event/careers-in-aviation-expo-5/

Today, on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we pause to honour Survivors, remember the children who never returned home and acknowledge the ongoing impacts of residential schools on Indigenous Peoples.

Last week, our colleagues gathered to listen, learn and take part in meaningful dialogue about the enduring impacts of residential schools and the ongoing journey of reconciliation.

The gathering began with a meal that included bannock, giving us time to connect. Then the room grew quiet as participants made space for difficult truths—stories that brought thought, reflection, and for many, tears.

The opening and closing prayers were offered by Elder Mary Lee, grounding the day in respect and remembrance. Guest speaker Rosalie Tsannie-Burseth shared her personal experiences and memories of attending residential school, offering a powerful and deeply moving perspective.

Recalling her first journey by plane to residential school, Rosalie said: “I see Wollaston getting smaller and smaller and going—Oh, something was wrong here—I remember I started crying. I was just six years old. I didn't know what was happening…The pilot who flew the plane was kind, he saw how upset I was, he gave me Smarties which helped me to stop crying...this was many years ago...we had to wear uniforms, we were not allowed to speak Dene and it was tough,”

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) documented over 4,000 child deaths during the time children attended the schools, though records remain incomplete. Estimates by researchers suggest the actual total of deaths may be significantly higher.

In 1920, attendance was made compulsory by the federal government for Treaty-status children aged 7 to 15. Families faced unaffordable fines or imprisonment if they refused to surrender their children to the state.

150,000+ is the official historical estimate of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children who were forcibly taken from their families and communities to attend Canadian Indian residential schools between 1831 and 1996.

The gathering was organized by our colleague Elvira Hennie, a member of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band. She reflected on what it meant to help host the event:

“As an Indigenous person who helped host this day for the company, it was such an honour, and it made me feel very happy to be part of an initiative that brought truth and reconciliation in a learning capacity to people, opening that dialogue and watching people listen to Rosalie really affected me and helped heal my heart, even just a little bit.

Personally, listening to Rosalie speak about her first time leaving her family, it made me cry because the thought of my own five-year-old being taken away from me and how distraught I would feel as a parent and how absolutely shattered my daughter would feel without me there with her every day.

And that’s why it’s so important to listen and acknowledge reconciliation it was not long ago when this happened and it’s very important for us to understand those realities.”

As a professional educator, Rosalie used her experience to help colleagues embrace the pathway to meaningful reconciliation.

On the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, gatherings and conversations such as these remind us of the importance of listening with openness, reflecting on our shared history and advancing reconciliation through understanding and respect.

Thank you to Elder Mary and Rosalie for the stories you shared, memories and time that you spent with us.

♥️♥️

Hello from the in Fort McMurray. It's wonderful to meet attendees from across the globe. You will find Dan Gold, our Director of Marketing at the Rise Air booth with Business Development Officer Maksym Poliakov.

Rise Air's aviation solutions help organizations grow through safe, reliable, competitive services. WORKFORCE TRANSPORTATION - EMERGENCY EVACUATION - CARGO - CHARTER FLIGHTS - MEDEVAC - SCHEDULED SERVICE.

Meet Dan and Maksym at booth 3401.

We're Going Places!
https://riseair.ca