Native American Heritage Month: Spotlight on the First Peoples’ Aviation Technology program

In recognition of Native American Heritage Month, the MAC Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion honors the First Peoples’ Aviation Technology program. 

The aviation program is located at the First Nations Technical Institute in Ontario, Canada. FNTI makes aviation careers in Indigenous communities a reality. FNTI is an Indigenous-owned and governed post-secondary institute founded in programming rooted in culture and Indigenous ways of knowing.  

“In Canada,” said Jo-Anne Tabobandung, a Bear Clan member of the Mohawk Nation and FNTI’s dean of aviation, “the term ‘Indigenous’ includes people who identify as having First Nation, Metis or Inuit ancestry, so in the USA, the term ‘Native American’ could be compared to First Nations.” 

FNTI serves 176 of 619 First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities across Canada, and 111 of 140 in Ontario. The institute welcomes approximately 300 students annually, most of whom are the recipients of band sponsorships for post-secondary education. These band sponsorships for community members often include tuition support, living allowance for full-time learners, and a book and supplies allowance.  

ODEI is grateful for education institutions like FNTI that are focused on promoting opportunities in the aviation industry and supporting Native American communities to pursue their dreams. For more information, visit FTNI’s website.