Since 1998 Denendeh Helicopters has brought together in partnership the investment arms of K’atlodeeche First Nation, of the Hay River Reserve, and the Deh Gah Gotie First Nation, of Fort Providence, with minority owner Great Slave Helicopters.
The company’s growth model and reinvestment strategy has allowed them to purchase a total of four helicopters; including the purchase of 2 Eurocopter fully refurbished BK117 twin engine intermediate helicopters from New Zealand with Category A performance under the call letters BKD and BKP. Denendeh Helicopters also owns its own Eurocopter AS350 B2 registered under the call letters IUX and a Bell 206 Long Ranger registered under the call letters SHL. The business is based in Hay River and also operates out of Great Slave Helicopter headquarters in Yellowknife.
Denendeh Helicopters has access to all Great Slave Helicopters equipment, pilots and aircraft maintenance engineers on an as needed basis. As the only Aboriginal-owned and operated helicopter company in the region, Denendeh Helicopters is proud to provide contracted forest fire suppression and support services to the Territorial Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
Denendeh Helicopters is ideally positioned to meet the helicopter service needs of companies and public organizations involved in infrastructure planning and development, wildlife surveys, search and rescue missions, mineral exploration and mining activities and oil and gas exploration in the Cameron Hills area. The partnership is under the leadership of Chief April Martel, Chief Xavier Canadien and Director Jennifer Burry, who is also the COO of Great Slave Helicopters.