b'TECHNOLOGYFirst Nations in the region were upset with this story, and so was I, says Taylor. They wanted to find a solution to this problem so that no one would have to die like this again, and thats when IINDIGENOUS AEROSPACE VALUESstarted thinking about how drones can be a solution. Taylor saw that potential solution in actionD Discussion. Deliberation. Decisions. Delegation. We when Pontiac Group formed a working relationship with Drone Delivery Canada.have meaningful conversations with Indigenous Between 2017 to 2021, he was an advisorcommunities about how the work should be done. on several high-profile projects that demonstrated the ability of drones to move critical medical supplies to FirstR Respect. Reciprocity. Relationship. Relevance. Nations, including vital COVID testing kits and vaccines. With each successfulWe ensure our projects have mutual benefit for mission, Taylor became more convincedeach party. that drones could be a viable and impor-tant tool for those communities.INDIGENOUS FOUNDATION workO Ownership. Control. Access. Possession. We After obtaining his drone pilot certifi- respect Indigenous data sovereignty in RPAS.cation in 2020, and closing the Pontiac Group in 2021, Taylor went to gettingIndigenousAerospaceoffN Natural Law. We protect the planet through the ground. This led him to Volatus Aerospace, a veteran business in the North American drone and unmannedeffective environmental practices in RPAS.aerial vehicle (UAV) sector. The relation-ship allowed Taylors new company to operate as Volatuss social impact arm.E Economy Development. We effect economic Volatus DDC has been an amazing partner, Taylor shares. When I tolddevelopment for Indigenous people. them what I was thinking, they said, You can use our resources, our talent, our people and our products to empower your community. I run my own business model, which is the four-P model where Indigenous politics comes first, followed by people, planet and profit.With Indigenous Aerospace, Taylors goalMaking the Differenceis to empower Indigenous communities, encourage eco-forward operations, andTurner & Townsend is the program, help make good on economic recon- project, and cost management ciliation goals. Volatus offers necessaryconsultancy behind the delivery support. Essentially, our arrangementof the worlds largest and most allows me to call upon Volatus for anynotable projects. support I need, and thats been great,Our successful track record acrosshe says. They [also] provide Indigenousthe transportation sector helps to cultural sensitivity training every year todrive decision-making, innovation, every member of their corporation, andand savings for our clients. It thats a good way of getting their peoplealso makes a difference to the involved in this social cause as well.communities in which we work.With its mission defined and partners in place, Indigenous Aerospace was incor-porated on July 1, 2021. We chose toVisit our website to learn more: incorporate on that specific date forwww.turnerandtownsend.com/en/locations/north-america/canadaa reason, explains Taylor. The day Aboriginal BUSINESS REPORT 79'