The historic partnership between First Nations Expedition and Airmedic
Kuei, Kuei! The First Nations Expedition and Airmedic teams are pleased to announce their partnership. This collaboration supports one of the largest First Nations mobilizations in Quebec. Participants will be following the ancestral route of their communities. Their ancestors took this route across the vast territory of Quebec. This expedition will perpetuate the ties between the different communities. This snowmobile expedition will bring back to life one of the largest gatherings of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people to date.
The off-trail route, scheduled from February 16 to March 4, 2023, will cover more than 4,500 km. Quebec’s top aboriginal guides, the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Rangers have planned the itinerary. Airmedic will ensure the safety of participants throughout the expedition.
A mobilization for reconciliation
The message of hope around reconciliation will be carried above all by the participating women. They will be holding various ceremonies to restore the Great Sacred Fire at each stop. In native spirituality, the Sacred Fire begins the ceremony. It links us to the ancestors and spirits who guide us in our daily lives.
By re-establishing this ancestral custom, the expedition will pay tribute to the children of residential schools, to missing and murdered Aboriginal women, and to Joyce Echaquan. This healing process aims to raise awareness and foster reconciliation between Nations, while coming to terms with the past. For this major expedition, we had to seek out and rediscover the routes of our ancestors, with the support and help of elders and the best guides in the territories.
“When we were approached by the First Nations Expedition team, we immediately jumped on board, bringing our expertise in heliborne medical transport along the entire route. In fact, over 70% of our operations are carried out in First Nations communities and territories. So it was only natural for Airmedic to be associated with such a unifying event,” emphasizes Sophie Larochelle, Airmedic’s Executive Vice-President.
A safe expedition
“It’s reassuring for our world to know that our safety is in good hands. Airmedic offers us a work ethic and professionalism that will enable our ground teams, including our Rangers and our mobile support and land logistics team, to coordinate better in the event of a medical emergency. It’s a big plus to have a company that knows hostile regions and has a natural affinity with First Nations,” says Christian Flamand, organizer and founder of the event.
“The intention is to share our ancestral traditions, customs and knowledge. In this way, we will share our sacred values: strength, courage, respect, mutual aid, peace, harmony and love. The snowmobile expedition will bring Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people together, and serve as an instigator for closer ties between our Nations,” says Christian Flamand.
Éric Labbé, Communications Coordinator, Mobile Support and Ground Logistics Team Management, First Nations Expedition
