I3 Innovator Teara Fraser
Iskwew Air – the bridge between traditional air service and the sustainable technology of the future.
Indigenous Innovator Announcement | Teara Fraser
Iskwew Air – the bridge between traditional air service and the sustainable technology of the future.
Teara Fraser is a proud Métis woman born in Canada’s Northwest Territories. Her company Iskwew (pronounced “iss-kway-yo”) Air, is named for the word “woman” in Cree language. Iskwew Air is based at YVR on the traditional and unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) people.
MEET TEARA FRASER
Teara Fraser with Iskwew Air brings an Indigenous lens to modern technology with RPAS (remote piloted aircraft systems, also known as drones) and Advanced Air Mobility. She is the first Indigenous woman to launch an airline in Canada: Iskwew Air. She offers that her innovation is the bridge between traditional air service and the sustainable technology of the future. Teara believes together, in this innovative space we will rematriate, reimagine, and rebuild our air transportation system centered in equity, resilience, and sustainability.
Iskwew Air is part of the ecosystem that is co-creating sustainable air transportation of the future. This project brings an Indigenous lens into modern technologies to explore how:
- RPAS (remote piloted aircraft systems) and Advanced Air Mobility can honour, uplift, and energize Indigenous land story, sovereignty, and stewardship
- Community based innovative tech solutions such as RPAS and Advanced Air Mobility can serve social, ecological, and economic justice for Indigenous peoples;
- RPAS and Advanced Air Mobility can be in service to Indigenous communities.
- We can decolonize, decarbonize, and transform the aviation industry to walk more softly on our Mother Earth.
With Iskwew Air we will rematriate, reimagine, and rebuild our air transportation system centering on equity, resilience, and sustainability.
“Iskwew Air is using emerging technology to create new and meaningful opportunities for the community. The impacts of this are exponential, including allowing communities to build back better after the COVID-19 pandemic through the endless opportunities this technology provides across health, social, economic, environmental and cultural dimensions.”
- Sara Wolfe, Director, Indigenous Innovation Initiative
WHAT DOES INDIGENOUS INNOVATION MEAN TO YOU?
Teara with Iskwew Air brings Indigenous knowledge together with modern technologies for social, ecological and economic justice for Indigenous peoples and communities. This is Indigenous Innovation to inspire and activate gender equality and diversity and see more clearly Iskwew Air’s pathway to Advanced Air Mobility.
HOW THIS INNOVATION IMPACTS 2030 INDIGENOUS AGENDA
In a decolonized, co-created, reflective learning process, this innovation seeks to bring Indigenous knowledges together with modern technologies (RPAS/Advanced Air Mobility) to uplift Indigenous land story, sovereignty, and stewardship.
