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DEH CHO - Five organizations in the Deh Cho have an interest in a new helicopter that's flying around the region.

Dehcho Regional Helicopters has purchased its first helicopter, an Astar B2 worth $1.6 million.

Timothy Pierre gets a feel for being a pilot during the community barbecue held to celebrate Dehcho Regional Helicopter's new aircraft in Trout Lake on Sept. 5. - photo courtesy of Sambaa K'e Development Corporation

The Fort Simpson Metis Nation, along with the First Nations from Jean Marie River, Trout Lake, Fort Liard and Nahanni Butte, own the company.

When it was formed in 2004, Dehcho Regional Helicopters entered into a partnership with Great Slave Helicopters, which had previously had individual agreements with each of the communities.

Until now the partnership between the two companies involved each of the aboriginal groups promoting Great Slave's services to companies working in the region, said Colin Munro, base manager for Great Slave Helicopters and Dehcho Regional Helicopters in Fort Simpson.

The agreement also included a financial return for the groups.

"It's been a win-win situation," Munro said.

With the new helicopter in hand Dehcho Regional Helicopters will see even more returns.

The company has a four-year contract with Great Slave Helicopters, which is leasing the helicopter with a guarantee of 400 hours of work per year.

Owning the helicopter and having that asset is an accomplishment for Dehcho Regional Helicopters, said Munro.

"It's something to be proud of," he said.

Residents in each of the communities that are part of the company had a chance to see their helicopter last week.

The machine flew to Fort Simpson and Jean Marie River on Sept. 4 and Fort Liard, Trout Lake and Nahanni Butte on Sept. 5.

The helicopter, which has a paint scheme in varying shades of blue, displays the Dehcho Regional Helicopter's logo on its sides.

In Fort Simpson, the Fort Simpson Metis Nation hosted a celebratory barbecue at the Seven Spruce Golf Course.

Residents were able to look and ask questions about the helicopter that landed on Hole 9.

After joining forces in Oct. 2004, the five organizations in Dehcho Regional Helicopters decided it was time to take the next step, said Marie Lafferty, president of the Fort Simpson Metis Nation.

"We had a bit of money coming in and we wanted to invest so we decided the best way was to buy a helicopter," she said.

The investment in the helicopter is a particularly big accomplishment for the organization because the Metis Nation doesn't receive core funding and operates on a shoestring budget, said Lafferty.

"I'm really thankful Great Slave has offered us this opportunity," she said.

While admiring the helicopter in Jean Marie River, Chief Isadore Simon said he was pleased with the investment.

It took a while to reach a point where the helicopter could be purchased and it's good to finally have it, said Simon.

The helicopter arrived fresh off the assembly line in June.

During the summer it was used on a forestry contract.

The helicopter won't necessarily be kept in the Deh Cho region, said Munro.

The helicopter could be flown elsewhere if needed to reach its agreed 400 hours of work but it will be back each year for the forestry contract, he said.