Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) and Perimeter Aviation announced Dec. 21 that they have renewed their partnership agreement for another seven years.
“I am excited to announce this long-term partnership extension with MKO providing all of our community partners and their members benefits and access to opportunities," said Perimeter president and CEO Nick Vodden. "Within this strategic alliance we offer programs such our aviation scholarship for Indigenous members. Encouraging access to post-secondary education and careers within the Aviation Industry was an important new element to this agreement.”
“It is good to see Perimeter commit to a better path with the making of this agreement," said MKO Grand Chief Sheila North Wilson. "The First Nations in the north are full of families and communities that have needs and dreams that sometimes mean a trip south.”
MKO, incorporated in 1981, is a non-profit political advocacy organization that represents 30 Northern Manitoba First Nations that are signatories to treaties 4, 5, 6 and 10.
“This makes the sixth partnership agreement that has been entered into or extended in 2017," said Perimeter's vice-president of commercial operations Carlos Castillo. "We believe that our commitment to servicing our customers and supporting our communities as we have done for decades were key factors in their decision making.”
Under the terms of the partnership agreement, MKO identifies Perimeter Aviation as its preferred airline for all its transportation requirements. The airline has agreements with 16 remote communities that it serves in Manitoba and northwestern Ontario.
“Norway House Cree Nation and Perimeter recently signed an agreement that will ensure increased levels of service and a commitment to assist our community, and those in the MKO region with social programs, programs that will work to address the social and health needs of our youth and membership," said Norway House Cree Nation Chief Ron Evans, who is also a member of MKO's executive council. " I believe this new agreement represents a true partnership with Perimeter who provide a much needed service to our membership.”
Established in 1960 and acquired by Exchange Income Corporation in 2004, Perimeter Aviation provides daily scheduled service to more than 25 communities in Manitoba and Ontario, and has main bases of operations in Thompson, Winnipeg and Sioux Lookout. The airline has approximately 575 employees, about 20 per cent of whom are people of Aboriginal descent from the communities the airline serves. Perimeter also provides medevac operations and cargo flights as well as on-demand charter services and operates out of its own terminal at the Winnipeg airport.
