North Star Air shares the wealth with First Nations.

• Author: Ross, Ian

North Star Air presented its first revenue sharing payment to two northwestern Ontario First Nation communities as part of its business partnership agreement struck last summer.

" The Thunder Bay-based air carrier held a Nov. 7 ceremony at the company's headquarters to officially present the payments to Sachigo Lake and Muskrat Dam First Nation.

The agreement was reached on June 19 to extend air service into the communities and start a revenue sharing program whereby a percentage of North Star's revenues generated from this partnership are given back to the communities for future investments in economic development.

Mary Ellen Thomas, the airline's head of commercial and public relations, declined to say what that percentage is and how much money could potentially flow into these communities, but the partners will have a "considerable" ownership stake in the company.

Thomas said North Star CEO Frank Kelner is always looking for opportunities to broaden the company's reach and grow the passenger and freight side of the operation.

And the First Nations are always looking for ways to attract meaningful investment to their communities.

Thomas said similar arrangements are in place with other partner communities including Cat Lake, Deer Lake and Neskantaga.

"We're looking at more First Nation partnerships and then we're looking at expanding more services on the passenger, freight and fuel side of things."

The company also took the opportunity to announce it is increasing the number of flights per week out of Sioux Lookout, to Muskrat Dam, Sachigo Lake and Weagamow...