Earlier this month, Air Inuit’s first female Inuk captain Melissa Haney was featured on a new Picture Postage stamp designed by the Canadian Ninety-Nines.
Haney, who was made a captain last year, is the 10th pilot to be commemorated by the Canadian chapter of the Ninety-Nines, an international aviation organization, through Canada Post’s Picture Postage program.
According to a statement released by the Canadian Ninety-Nines: “We will follow Melissa’s aviation career with much interest. She is a wonderful role model for all young people aspiring to become pilots. We would like more people to know about this remarkable young woman.”
The stamp was officially unveiled on Aug. 15 in Inukjuaq, Qué., where Haney was born and spent part of her childhood. The date also marked Haney’s first anniversary as captain.
A first-day cover was also released as part of the Haney issue. (Photo by Canadian Ninety-Nines)
FROM FLIGHT ATTENDANT TO PILOT TO CAPTAIN
At the age of 19, Haney began working as a flight attendant for Air Inuit. Within a few years, her interest was piqued and she registered for flight training in Cornwall, Ont.
She’s one of only two Inuk women at the Nunavik airline and is the first Inuk woman to be named captain.
According to the Ninety-Nines, profits from the sale of the Haney stamp will go towards future Picture Postage stamps and fund the organization’s future contributions to aviation.
PICTURE POSTAGE
Canada Post’s Picture Postage program allows anyone to create personalized stamps and postcards via the Internet or from a mobile device for less than $30. The stamps can be used to mail a standard-size envelope weighing up to 30 grams to anywhere in Canada.
The Haney stamps are available in four formats—one sheet of 50 stamps ($80); a “keepsake” sheet of 25 stamps ($45); a booklet of 12 stamps ($22); and a first-day cover ($5)—at canadian99s.org.