Toys for the North: Santa Touches Down in Sachigo Lake
THUNDER BAY – BUSINESS – North Star Air’s December calendar is rarely quiet, but this past December delivered a double dose of what the Thunder Bay-based airline does best: connecting communities, and showing up when it matters.
First came the airline’s annual participation in Toys for the North, an initiative that brings brand-new toys to children in remote northern communities.
This year, six communities received toys, and North Star Air made a special community visit with Santa Claus into Sachigo Lake—a stop crew members describe as one of the most memorable Toys for the North trips in recent years.
When Santa arrived at the Sachigo Lake school, the Jolly Old Elf was met by dozens of excited students ready for a northern Christmas moment they’ll talk about long after the decorations come down.
In a uniquely local touch, Santa’s arrival included a special sleigh built in Sachigo Lake, adding community pride to an already electric morning. Students spent time with Santa and received gifts—small packages that carry big meaning in fly-in communities where holiday shopping isn’t as simple as a quick trip to the mall.
A Thunder Bay Tradition with National Reach
While the smiles in Sachigo Lake are the headline moment, Toys for the North has a longer story—one rooted in logistics, partnerships, and a lot of volunteer horsepower.
NetNewsLedger has previously reported that the RCMP “O” Division has participated in Toys for the North since 2010, partnering with the Canadian Toy Association and transportation partners, North Star Air and Gardewine to move toys from southern Canada into the North.
Over the years, the network has grown to include a long list of supporters—often involving Thomson Terminals, the RCMP, the Canadian Armed Forces/RCAF, Gardewine, and North Star Air—helping toys move by truck and aircraft before they’re flown onward to remote communities.
And the scale is significant. The Canadian Toy Association’s 2025 wrap-up describes the campaign as its 15th annual Toys for the North, with $694,829.42 worth of toys donated and shipments reaching multiple regions, including Northern Ontario (with communities such as Sachigo and Eabametoong/Fort Hope noted among many others).
That growth has been building for years. NetNewsLedger’s coverage of the 2023 effort noted the toy industry donated $559,906 worth of toys that year—part of a steady upward trend.
Past Trips: From RCAF Deliveries to “Christmas Early” Moments
Toys for the North often begins with large shipments arriving in Thunder Bay—sometimes via RCAF Hercules aircraft—before being distributed through regional air networks.
In 2019, NetNewsLedger reported 6,000 pounds of toys arriving in Thunder Bay and later being delivered—with Santa’s help—to Cat Lake and Sachigo Lake.
Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, the work continued. In 2020, NetNewsLedger described how Toys for the North adapted with a smaller, safety-conscious delivery model, while still moving toys onward to multiple communities.
And going back to a 2016 NetNewsLedger report, Toys for the North was already firmly established as a Thunder Bay-linked operation, with toys flown out from the Thunder Bay International Airport to communities across the region.
In that same report, North Star Air emphasized that respectful relationships with First Nation communities are central to how the airline operates—an approach that shows up not only in commercial service, but also in moments like Toys for the North.
The Second Big December Move: Passenger Service to Kenora
The other major December headline was commercial—and could reshape how Northwestern Ontarians move between two of the region’s key hubs.
In a series of reports, NetNewsLedger detailed North Star Air’s partnership with the Kenora Airport Authority to launch direct, scheduled passenger flights between Kenora (YQK) and Thunder Bay (YQT), beginning January 15, 2026.
What the Kenora–Thunder Bay Service Looks Like
According to NetNewsLedger’s reporting, the route is expected to operate five days a week, with schedules designed for same-day connections and medical or business travel:
-
Kenora → Thunder Bay: departs 7:00 a.m. CST, arrives 9:15 a.m. EST (Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri/Sat)
-
Thunder Bay → Kenora: departs 6:00 p.m. EST, arrives 6:15 p.m. CST (Sun/Mon/Wed/Thu/Fri)
NetNewsLedger also reported three fare tiers (before taxes/fees) and baggage details that will matter to travelers comparing options in a region where winter driving can be punishing:
-
Saver: $350 | Thrift: $450 | Flex: $750
-
1st checked bag included (up to 40 lbs); carry-on included (up to 13 lbs)
The flights are expected to be operated initially using a 9-seat Pilatus PC-12, with travel time described as roughly one hour—a notable alternative when Highway travel turns hazardous. It is also with the Saver Rate very competitive with ground transportation options, which are far longer in travel time.
For Thunder Bay flyers, there’s also a connectivity angle: The North Star Air counter at YQT will be positioned beside Air Canada, aiming to make onward connections simpler.
Expansion Built on Partnerships Across the North
These two December stories—holiday deliveries and route expansion—share a common thread: North Star Air’s business model is deeply tied to the North.
On its Indigenous Partners page, North Star Air reports it works alongside 11 First Nation community partners, including Sachigo Lake, Webequie, Eabametoong (Fort Hope), Cat Lake, Marten Falls, and others, describing a relationship built around “shared opportunity.” The airline also states that revenue-sharing has meant more than $12 million back into partner communities.
For for the traveller, North Star Air staging through Thunder Bay’s airport network for the new scheduled link that puts Kenora within an hour by air, the city continues to function as a major gateway for Northwestern Ontario—especially when winter conditions make ground travel uncertain.
Looking Ahead
North Star Air’s December was a reminder that aviation in the North isn’t just about schedules—it’s about access. Access to the holidays in fly-in communities. Access to healthcare and appointments. Access to family visits, business travel, and tourism that keeps regional economies moving.
From Santa’s sleigh in Sachigo Lake to a new boarding call for Kenora passengers, it was a month that showed how much “regional airline” can still mean in Northwestern Ontario.
