OUR STORY

Reaching New Heights: Amik Aviation is Essential for Northern Manitoba Communities
 

Amik Aviation is an Aboriginal owned and operated airline that provides a much-needed link to northern communities. Founded by Oliver Owen, and his three sons in 2008, Amik is a true family-run business.
 

Making his way in the aviation industry wasn’t easy, but Oliver Owen’s vision and unwavering commitment to his dream transfigured access to transportation in remote Manitoba communities. A visionary, Owen improved air travel in First Nation communities and played a pioneering role in our province’s and Canada’s aviation history.
 

Chasing a Dream
Owen’s fascination with airplanes and flying began at a young age. Born in Little Grand Rapids, he spent much of his childhood growing up in Pauingassi, and experienced first-hand the transportation obstacles remote northern communities faced. Planes were essential for supplies, travel, and medical assistance, but they weren’t always readily accessible or affordable.
 

Several northern Manitoba communities have restricted access to transportation. In the past, air service was available, but it didn’t provide regular service within communities or into Winnipeg. At the time, most northern flights arrived in Arnes, over an hour north of Winnipeg, leaving passengers responsible for finding transportation to and from the city.
 

Often getting to the airport itself was an arduous task. Communities such as Pauingassi didn’t have an airport. Residents had to travel more than 40 minutes by boat, over mini rapids, and then organize ground transportation to get to the landing strip located another half a mile away. A challenging trip at the best of times, it was a nightmare in the case of a medical emergency.
 

Working for the Community
“Oliver’s only motivation has been to make air travel a little more convenient for his home communities,” shares his wife, Valerie. Owen has worked in the aviation industry over 40 years, today, his business, Amik Aviation, provides essential air service for First Nation communities. Passenger and cargo services to Little Grand Rapids, Pauingassi, Bloodvein First Nations, Berens River, and Poplar River and has expended its operations to parts of Northwestern Ontario.

 

Owen built docks in the centres he flies into, providing residents with convenient, accessible service from community to community and St. Andrews Airport, 20 minutes north of Winnipeg. Initially, Oliver even provided transportation to and from the city. His regularly serviced flights lead to even more positive impacts for these communities and their residents. Little Grand Rapid’s nursing station and RCMP office used to be located near the airport on the opposite side of the lake from the reserve; they now have moved into the communities. Scheduled flights are also more affordable than charters, allowing more residents to travel.

 

“He has made quite an improvement in travel needs in the First Nation area,” says Harold Crow, past Chief of Pauingassi and once long-term council member at Little Grand Rapids. “Most of the time, people would struggle to get to the airport across the lake. He made a difference; he made it easier for us.”

 

Owen’s service has made other differences in the communities too. It is expensive to live on the reserve, and people rely on receiving lower cost items from Winnipeg. “Before, a lot of freight was lost at the airport because no one was there to look after it. Dogs would get into it and destroy everything. Now, Oliver brings the freight to his base and co-ordinates its delivery. He also takes letters to the city for community members at no charge; the cost is $25 per envelope with other services,” shares Harold.

 

“Oliver speaks Ojibway very well and hires First Nation people who also speak our language. This makes a huge difference for our elders who travel with him,” Harold adds. “He also keeps a small plane at his base in Little Grand Rapids. If his plane wasn’t there, it would be expensive to charter a flight to go fishing or hunting. He is always making improvements to his service.”

 

A Pioneer of Aviation
Owen’s idea to use the Cessna 208 Amphibian Caravan was the impetus that managed to effect real change for transportation in the north. The Cessna 208 Amphibian Caravan is a utility-orientated aircraft that, as Oliver has proven, is equally adept at passenger transportation. He was the first person to use the Cessna 208 Amphibian Caravan for scheduled commercial transportation services in Canada. 

 

Owen’s determination to pursue his dream of flight has earned him top industry recognition and established him as a leader in Manitoba’s aviation community. In 2019, the Manitoba Aviation Council awarded him its highest honour, Pioneer of Flight, for his innovative use of the Cessna 208 in passenger service—recognizing individuals whose vision has made a lasting impact on Manitoba aviation.

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In 2025, Owen was named NACCA Indigenous Business of the Year, celebrating Indigenous-owned businesses that demonstrate strong leadership, values, and community commitment. His leadership was further recognized through the Visionary Indigenous Business Excellence (VIBE) Awards, highlighting his journey as an entrepreneur who understands—and works to solve—the challenges faced by the communities he serves.

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Owen continues to lead by example, placing his clients and community at the heart of everything he does.

 

 A Leader in Aviation

Operating from both St. Andrew’s Airport and the Little Grand Rapids Branch, Amik Aviation is experiencing ongoing growth. With a strong commitment to the North, the future is bright as Amik Aviation expands its operations and prepares to introduce a new fleet. Owen’s vision is always focused on the horizon, seeking new opportunities to better serve remote communities and strengthen reliable air service across the region.