For National Francophone Immigration Week we’re profiling four Francophone immigrants who chose the NWT as their new home. In our first profile, read all about Madagascar-born photographer Roger Mario.

Roger grew up in Madagascar and moved to Canada in 2017, landing in Yellowknife where a friend of his was already living. A lover of anything involving videography and photography - especially drone aerial photography – Roger soon felt the itch to buy his first drone in 2019. It was love at first flight. Only a couple of years later he started an aerial drone photography business in May 2021.

Since then, he has provided conventional photography such as photoshoots and videography services through his business. He isn’t stopping there, though. Roger’s main ambition is to offer immersive FPV (first-person view) services to residents of Yellowknife, the Northwest Territories, and eventually, over Canada.

Facing challenges ahead, particularly how people will respond to an out-of-the-ordinary idea, Mario remains confident his plan will work and has a strong conviction in the people of Yellowknife to pull through.

“FPV is really different, and it’ll be an opportunity to showcase the beauty of Yellowknife, the NWT and Canada. The way I see it, it’s a win-win proposition for everyone.”

From November 7 to 13, 2021, Canada celebrated National Francophone Immigration Week, an initiative of the Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne (FCFA) du Canada. To mark the occasion, the Conseil de développement économique des Territoires du Nord-Ouest (CDÉTNO) and the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI) are honouring five Francophone immigrants who chose the Northwest Territories as their new home.