A SK Historical Mini-Doc.
Airborne, a mini-documentary featuring the 1948 story behind the first baby born in flight on a Saskatchewan Air Ambulance Service (SAAS), is currently in production. This week, a Regina film crew interviewed the mother, Marie Dubreuil, 105, who still lives in her own Estevan home.
Film Production crew includes Myrna Petersen, Director/Producer; Lucas Frison, Director of Photography; Karla Weber, Locations Coordinator; and Kyle Parkinson, Location Audio. The project is supported by a SK Arts Independent Artist Grant and Ideation Entertainment Inc.
Petersen has set out to tell her hometown story about the day a CF-SAM air ambulance landed in the Rose Valley Sports Grounds to pick up a farm lady from the local hospital.
The francophone woman, Marie Dubreuil, was experiencing severe birthing complications and the 3-person ambulance crew was commissioned to transport the patient to a Regina Hospital. Shortly after the plane hit cruising speed, Mme Dubreuil and the attending flight nurse quickly recognized that “a baby is coming.”
Julien Audette, the pilot, turned the plane around and like a stork, landed and delivered the newborn and mother to the Wadena Hospital. Born July 24, 1948, in Saskatchewan’s airwaves, the baby, Leon L. Julien Dubreuil’s was given the middle name Julien, to honor the pilot.
“Growing up in the Rose Valley area,” Myrna recalls, “I knew the family and had heard Marie Dubreuil’s story of having the first baby born in an Air Ambulance over Saskatchewan! Now in 2026 when SAAS is celebrating their 80thanniversary, I feel it is significant to recapture this historical event. We have the rare opportunity to interview the mother who at the ripe old age of 105 is still communicating and actively creating her art. Having embroidered over 1300 fabric blocks, Marie Dubreuil’s daily schedule still includes her embroidery work. She is truly a hidden jewel in the Estevan community!”
With the original CF-SAM Air Ambulance on display at Moose Jaw’s Western Development Museum, the film crew also spent a day interviewing the ‘baby’, Leon Dubreuil, in front of the plane. Production will continue with archival photos and filming round the province for release later this year.
