My last blog included two aboriginal friends of mine who shared similar experiences and feelings throughout their junior high and high school years. They shared stories of hiding their culture and not feeling smart enough for university, but with age and encouragement—they became proud, motivated and successful. In talking to another friend of mine who is involved in military training, I was told about programs within the military which provide leadership skills and training alike which helps empower indigenous youth who are interested in the military lifestyle. He told me about the Bold Eagle, Black Bear and Raven 6 week-long summer training programs which focus on recruiting aboriginal people of 17 years and up and provide insight into how rewarding military life can be. The main difference between these programs and Basic Military Qualification (BMQ) is the decision to stay as a member of the military after completion of the course. Even if recruits pass the BMQ or decide that military life isn’t for them; they are still obligated to serve the remaining 3 years with the military. Whereas these programs give the opportunity for training and experience without the obligation to join after completion of the programs; specifically made for aboriginal peoples. The forces arrange your travel to and from the program, living accommodations, food, clothing and all equipment. While you are in the program you are temporarily a Forces member and are paid around $3,500 for completing the full six weeks (National Defense and the Canadian Armed Forces).
Aboriginal community leaders have developed challenging programs that introduce you to life in the forces. It starts out with culture camp, which betters the connection with aboriginal roots and eases transition from civilian to military lifestyle. These programs give aboriginal youth the opportunity to see if the lifestyle is for them, while introducing many different job titles of which you can go to university for with tuition and books paid for, and a social support system in place; giving incentive and motivation to enroll into post-secondary education.
There are specific conditions for applying to each of the programs. However, for all of the programs you MUST:
- Be an Aboriginal Person (First Nation(s) Status or Non-Status, Métis or Inuit);
- Be a Canadian citizen;
- Be at least 17 years of age (with parental/guardian consent) or older;
- Must have completed Grade10 or Quebec Secondaire IV;
- Meet the Forces common enrollment medical standard (National Defense and the Canadian Armed Forces)
An anonymous serving military member has said:
“A lot of people have this misconception that when you join the army, you are going to end up on some crazy World War 1 battlefield. The vast majority of the military are in supporting roles. It takes a lot of people to train, feed, transport, supply and support an army. Everyone knows what trade they’re joining and whether they could end up in combat.”
Now, with discussing anything related to military life style and recruiting techniques; follows debate. With discussing anything related to aboriginal rights, too, follows great debate. Criticism has said that these programs’ give an unfair advantage to aboriginal recruits than non-aboriginals recruits – or that it is taking advantage of a vulnerable demography. I guess to formulate your opinion on this matter you would have to decide where you reside with military lifestyle, look into recruiting techniques, then decide how you feel about these programs. If you view recruiting techniques of the military as taking advantage of vulnerable populations and you consider aboriginals as a vulnerable population, you may disagree with the formulation of these programs. If you think military lifestyle leads to great leadership/interpersonal skills and a fulfilling lifestyle for anybody; you may see these programs as great opportunities for youth which can lead to working in various job occupations and encourages to further their education. However, if you’re a person in the military who went through basic training, didn’t like it and are still obligated to serve; you may view these aboriginal programs as unfair to the rest of people.
I think that these programs are appropriately fair in that aboriginal youth who are interested in the military lifestyle should be given these opportunities to try it out within the six week programs, then decide whether or not to move forward with it. It also presents encouragement and leadership skills to feel confident in obtaining post-secondary education to a population where a good percentage do not consider going to university; whether or not they chose to move forward with the military. These opportunities are providing building blocks for better mental and physical health with physical activity, teaching leadership skills and providing encouragement to become whatever they want to be.
I’m glad I chose to take this course as an elective because it really has broadened my horizons quite a bit. It enabled myself and other classmates to discuss topics outside of our course curriculum and outside of class; giving us skills of cultural competency we can apply within and outside of our nursing education. This has continued to teach me in more ways than one about aboriginal rights, history and gave us the openness to discuss controversial subjects such as this in a respectful manner and with important insight which is incalculable.
My last blog:
More information and references:
National Defense and the Canadian Armed Force
Canadian Human Rights Commission
Aboriginal Entry Programs in the Canadian Armed Forces
Photos obtained from Google
Two-Eyed Seeing for Health 