Created in 2004, Sahtu Helicopters is a majority Aboriginal-owned joint-venture partnership operating in the Tulita District of the NWT’s Sahtu region.
Based in Norman Wells, its ownership group includes the Fort Norman Metis Nation Local #54 Land Corporation which holds 51% of the company and minority owner Great Slave Helicopters. It has access to all Great Slave Helicopters equipment, pilots and aircraft maintenance engineers on an as needed basis. Sahtu Helicopters also owns and operates its own airside hangar/office complex in Norman Wells.
As the most established majority Aboriginal-owned helicopter company in the Tulita District, Sahtu Helicopters is proud to provide forest fire suppression and support services to the Territorial Department of Environment and Natural Resources. It is also well-positioned to meet the needs of companies involved in infrastructure planning and development, wildlife surveys, search and rescue missions, mineral exploration, as well as oil and gas industry activity given its proximity to the existing Enbridge pipeline as well as the proposed Mackenzie Gas Project and the Mackenzie Valley Highway route.
Sahtu Helicopters is under the leadership of Patrick Campling as the President and Rocky Norweigen as the Chairman. Under the Sahtu Dene and Metis Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement business and contracting opportunities in the Tulita District, which includes the communities of Norman Wells and Tulita, are to give preference to Aboriginal-owned businesses based in those communities. As a majority Aboriginal-owned company, Sahtu Helicopters should always be considered as a preferred supplier by companies or organizations requiring contract rotary-wing services within the in the Tulita District of the Sahtu Region.