Advanced air mobility for the autonomy of the Atikamek Community of Manawan
The Atikamek Community of Manawan is looking forward to seeing the first infrastructures put in place and to witnessing the first test flights on the corridor.
Mirabel, Quebec September 8, 2023 – As part of the Quartier du futur, presented during the Volaria aeronautics event, highlighting the actions taken by the aeronautics sector for sustainable aviation, the Conseil de Bande Atikamek de Manawan is proud to announce the signing of a resolution of support and participation in the air corridor project for drone services aimed at delivering essential goods to the community. Many remote communities, some of them First Nations, face significant challenges related to geographic constraints and limited infrastructure. This project is the perfect opportunity for us to get involved at the very beginning of the process and ensure that developments are carried out with respect for the philosophies and traditions of aboriginal peoples.
“Contrary to popular belief, technological development is not incompatible with the traditions of First Nations peoples. We simply need to think about these developments in harmony, and not at the expense of traditions. The best way to do this is to involve the people impacted and the people with the knowledge in the process, rather than presupposing the reactions of those concerned!” Expresses Mr. Sipi Flamand, Chief of the Atikamek Community of Manawan.
This corridor is also a first step towards the deployment of drone-based air services from First Nations communities, operated by trained community members.
The development of the ecosystem made up of Vertiko Mobilité, Jaunt Air Mobilité and its partners, has enabled the establishment of this R&D corridor, as well as bringing together technology-based companies and First Nations.
“In the recent past, we’ve experienced social upheaval due to unfortunate events caused either by the fact that members of our community have to travel great distances to receive adequate health care, or by the fact that certain medications or emergency treatments are not directly accessible in Manawan. These technological innovations will increase the availability and speed of delivery of many emergency services. Paul-Émile Ottawa, Vice-Chief of the Attikamek Community of Manawan.
Yannick Richard, Executive Vice President, and John Valley, President of Vertiko Mobilité, are delighted to see this project come to fruition, bringing together the entire industry while promoting the regions and Aboriginal communities. “It’s not just about identifying business models capable of supporting developments, it’s also about projects having a positive impact on the communities in which they take place. If not, are we really dealing with technologies that help humanity evolve?” asks Yannick Richard, Executive Vice President of Vertiko Mobilité.
About the Atikamek Community of Manawan
Manawan is an Attikamek community located in the Lanaudière region of Quebec. Our culture, traditions and way of life are governed by the six seasons, which determine the activities and movements on our territories. Traditional activities such as hunting, trapping, gathering and fishing are still very much alive in the community. However, on behalf of the members of our community, the Manawan Atikamek Council has taken steps to achieve greater territorial and financial autonomy, and this project is part of that process.
www.manawan.com
About Vertiko Mobilité
Vertiko Mobilité is a Quebec-based company created in 2021, backed by a holding of Quebec companies and investors, whose vision is to reconnect regions with urban centers by creating a network of vertiports throughout Quebec and local networks for metropolises (advanced air mobility). To make this business model accessible, Vertiko Mobilité’s mission is to create an ecosystem of leading-edge companies, and to implement an innovative real estate strategy that will accommodate the vertiport network as it develops. Visit the Vertiko website for more information: www.vertikomobilite.ca .
Paul-Émile Ottawa, Vice-Chef
Conseil Attikamek de Manawan
(450) 752-9640
Yannick Richard, Vice-Président
Vertiko Mobilité Inc.
(819) 856-0940