Air Canada Dreams Take Flight with Kahnawake's and Akwesasne Public Service Teams

For the first time since the pandemic, Air Canada's Dreams Take Flight (DTF) is turning wishes into reality for so many special needs children by providing a unique one-day trip to Disney World Orlando, FL. More than 160 children with several from Kahnawà:ke and Akwesasne are participating in the journey.

Ken Bourque told KTV's Joe Delaronde, "Dreams Take Flight is an organization made up of retired Air Canada and active Air Canada employees. We all volunteer our time to take children on a one-day magical trip to Disney. So, this is what we do. This is what we live for. None of us are paid. It's all just donation from our heart to help these kids and make them have a wonderful day at the park."

Air Canada Pilot, Patrice d'Alcantara stated, "It's very rewarding actually to bring that back [DTF] to be able to do this flight. Everyone is involved in taking care of the flight and taking care of the kids, passing the day with the kids - very, very rewarding."

Terri McComber told KTV just how amazing this event is. Kahnawake has been involved for 26 years and their forces have played a huge role in DTF. She said Kahnawake and Akwesasne children get to benefit. This is McComber seventh time volunteering at this event.

Stating, "It's beautiful."

Participating children used to arrive on the day of the trip, this time, children arrived for a day of orientation and becoming familiar with the flight itself, what to expect and to be more comfortable on the day of travel. They get to meet the team they're going to be assigned to, which will help some ease some of the fears on the day of travel. Participating children were fitted with a track suit, a pair of shoes, a pair of shorts, a t-shirt and a hat. This will help to identify children while in the park.

Bourque said, "So this way our kids stand out. We're able to see them and we're able to find them."

Kahnawake Peacekeeper Kyle Zachary said, "It brings our community a little closer together. It benefits children that normally wouldn't have this opportunity. And, you know the Peacekeepers are glad to be involved. I like this way better than in the older days. In the past, it was all in one day and we had arrive here at like two in the morning. It was not favorable."

The Kahnawake Fire Bridge and the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service were also on hand to volunteer their time to prepare the kids for their flight and trip to Disney. Four Akwesasronon youth will take part in this year's Dreams Take Flight, departing on November 8th.

AMPS Constable Norm King told KTV, "This event is such an amazing event. This is my third year being part of it. I was so excited this year when they asked me. And because of COVID pandemic, this event was put on hold. So, it's great to come back. It's great to see our brothers and sisters from K Town and it's really exciting to be here."

Bourque added, "It's a great opportunity. I would love to bring this to more First Nations across Canada. I'm working with the president of DTF to help make this happen. It's exciting for the kids. It's exciting for us. We're just so happy to be back to be able to provide this flight for the children.