FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Join us at the Squamish Líl̓wat Cultural Centre for an unforgettable evening with keynote speaker, Teara Fraser.
Teara’s list of dynamic life pursuits and accomplishments are, simply put, incredible. Teara is the first Indigenous woman to launch an airline in Canada – Iskwew Air, which connects people with each other and to the land. Envisioned during the bid for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, creating an Indigenous owned airline was inspired by a commitment to support and grow Indigenous tourism.
Teara is also the visionary of the Raven Institute where she sees connected hearts, minds, and hands in a united and thriving nation. Rooted in relational ways of knowing and being, the Raven Institute contributes to the development of humans, organizational systems, and community.
Teara is a brave-hearted Iskwew (Cree word for woman), a sweetgrass warrior, an edgewalker, a dreamer, a seed-planter, a mother, a leader, a humble learner, an entrepreneur, and a proud Métis bridge builder.
Teara will share stories of finding her wings, her entrepreneurial spirit and journey, and her leadership approach. Teara will also talk about why she is so passionate about collectively co-creating the conditions for Indigenous business to thrive as a critical pathway to reconciliation.
The event will kick off the Indigenous Tourism Start-up program being launched by the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre and the Whistler Centre for Sustainability. Fourteen budding Indigenous entrepreneurs from across the Province will participate in the program this fall to bring their own inspiring ideas to life.
Event Details
Squamish Lil̓wat Cultural Centre, Monday September 9th, 6-9pm
Free admission, everyone welcome.
Cash bar available. Light snacks are included. Seating is limited. Register at Eventbrite
Contacts
Teara Fraser, Iskwew Air teara.fraser@iskwew.ca, 604 273 7713
Cheeying Ho, Whistler Centre for Sustainability Executive Director, cho@whistlercentre.ca, 604 388 8421
Brady Smith, Squamish Lil̓wat Cultural Centre Executive Director, brady.smith@slcc.ca, 604 964 0993
Dawn Johnson, Coordinator, djohnson@whistlercentre.ca, 604 698 568
Program Sponsors
Province of British Columbia
Community Futures Howe Sound
Vancity and Squamish Savings
Squamish Líl̓wat Cultural Centre
Whistler Centre for Sustainability
More about Teara Fraser
In 2010 she started her first business – KÎSIK Aerial Survey Inc. She built this business from the ground up and sold it in 2016. Becoming a pilot was transformational, truly giving this young Métis woman wings – she loves to see others fall in love with flight. She established the Aviation Leadership Foundation, she recently launched Give them Wings (Indigenous Youth Taking Flight), and she serves as Board Director for the British Columbia Aviation Council.
Teara Fraser holds a Master of Arts in Leadership degree from Royal Roads University, and she is a Certified Executive Coach. The journey of learning now takes her back to Royal Roads as Associate Faculty in the Master of Arts in Leadership program and to Fielding University where she is studying in the Human Development Ph.D. program.
