Rise Air and the Roughriders Bring Holiday Magic to Saskatchewan’s Athabasca Communities

In the vast, snow-covered expanses of northern Saskatchewan, where the stars are bright and the air crisp, something truly magical happens every December—the arrival of Santa Claus, flown in by Rise Air for Santa in the North, bringing joy and holiday spirit to the schools in our Athabasca communities.

Father Christmas began his first trek on December 2, when he touched down in Black Lake and Stony Rapids. From there, he made his way through Fond du Lac, Uranium City, and Wollaston Lake, wrapping up the snowy journey on December 11. At every stop, children at the schools were greeted by the jolly man in red and handed gift bags that they could add to with books of their choosing. All the books were penned and illustrated by Indigenous authors and artists.

“As a youth, it’s important to see people who resemble you in all forms of media. It’s representation, and it matters,” says Mr. Martin, Grade 10 teacher, Father Porte Memorial Denesuline School.

This year, more gifts were distributed than ever before —1,540, up from 1,300 two years ago —spreading holiday cheer and warmth to more than 1,500 young hearts across the region.

“Rise Air is 100% Indigenous-owned and, for us, it’s about more than just transportation. It’s about supporting the communities we serve, creating meaningful connections, and making sure our youth in the north have a magical Christmas.” — Dan Gold, Director of Communications and Stakeholder Relations, Rise Air.

The magic, however, wasn’t just about the gifts. Again this year, Saskatchewan Roughrider players joined the Santa in the North crew. The roster consisted of Charbel Dabire, Peter Godber, Kian Schaffer-Baker and Jorgen Hus. This was the first time Rise Air was able to take Roughrider players to every location. These were days to remember, with students not only receiving gifts but also inspiration and encouragement from their local sports heroes who supported messages of literacy and mental health.

“Despite the logistical challenges presented by the weather, which set a few of our dates back, our team remained dedicated to making this happen—and to have the Roughriders join us again, and at every school this year, was very special for the children,” says Dan Gold.

Each year, Santa in the North has grown, expanding its reach and deepening the impact it has on these communities – becoming a much-anticipated tradition that Rise Air strives to make bigger and better every year, with the support of its sponsors and volunteers.

“The children get so excited every year. Santa coming is a big deal. The Roughriders coming to talk to them is another big deal… they don’t often get to meet people like that, so it’s a really great experience for them,” says Aaron Gosselin, Principal and Teacher, Stony Rapids School.

Wrapping up its 24^th year, Santa in the North has become a symbol of what it means to give back. It’s not just about presents. It’s about showing up, building meaningful relationships, and being there for the communities Rise Air serves. And as this initiative continues to grow, one thing remains certain—for the children and teens of northern Saskatchewan, the magic of the holidays will always be just a Rise Air flight away.