Iskwew Air (Vancouver International) has received funding in the amount of CAD1.75 million Canadian dollars (USD1.28 million) from Raven Indigenous Capital Investments, which should help the 100% indigenous woman-owned airline expand its operations, the companies revealed in a press release.
“Co-creating the conditions for Indigenous business to thrive is the most natural, swift, and effective pathway to economic reconciliation in our country. This flow of nutrients from Raven Capital Partners will move us from surviving to thriving,” Teara Fraser, founder and CEO of Iskwew Air, said.
The investment is meant to help the British Columbia-based carrier expand its cargo, charter, and passenger flight operations.
The announcement comes as the airline inaugurated its third Piper (twin piston), C-GMDL (msn 31-7512033) and formally owned by fixed-base operator Godspeed Aviation Ltd, data from Transport Canada shows. The airline also operates company-owned aircraft PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain, C-GPAK (msn 31-8052070), based at Richmond, BC and a second aircraft of the same type, C-FSWN (msn 31-7952182).
Iskwew Air launched scheduled services in August 2021, previously only having operated charter services to smaller communities in Canada’s North.
Vancouver-based Raven Indigenous Capital Investments is also an Indigenous-led company that primarily provides capital and support within the Indigenous cultural framework. It was founded in 2018 by Jeffrey Cyr, Paul Lacerte, and Stephen Nairne as an impact investment firm operating in Canada and the United States.
