Canadian Forces looks to increase aboriginal numbers
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Rankin Inlet (May 28/01) - A Northern course aimed at helping aboriginal recruits adapt to life in the Canadian Forces (CF) is perilously close to extinction.
The Canadian Forces Aboriginal Entry program is designed to help those with traditional values adapt to becoming a CF member.
The first step in the program is a three-week Pre-Recruit Training Course scheduled for Yellowknife this summer.
CF recruiter Warrant Officer Floyd Powder recently visited Rankin Inlet, Baker Lake and Arviat to spark interest in the program and educate students about the benefits of a CF career.
Powder said the course is aimed towards people in smaller, isolated communities and provides exposure to life outside of their hamlets.
It also gives participants a head start toward basic training and lets them bond with other aboriginal people so they have someone to rely on as they go through basic training.
"The program is effective in helping to battle culture shock and the feelings of being away from friends and family some recruits have ... during basic training," said Powder.
The CF's attempts to drumming up Northern interest in the program have not met with much success.
Despite information tours to communities in the NWT, Yukon and Nunavut's Kivalliq and Baffin regions, only three applications have been submitted.
Course in trouble
The deadline for the Yellowknife course is July 3 and between 25 to 30 participants are required to make it economically feasible.
"If we don't have enough applicants, we'll have to cancel the Yellowknife course again and, if we cancel it two years in a row, we'll probably never get it running.
"Last year we ran one course in Farnham, Quebec, because we couldn't get enough applicants for the Yellowknife course."
The popularity of the Canadian Forces among aboriginal people, especially Inuit, has seriously declined since more than 4,000 aboriginals left their homes to fight in both the First and Second World Wars.
Currently, aboriginals make up about 1.4 per cent of the CF membership.
Powder said the CF is concentrating on increasing that number.
"Right now, First Nations and Inuit make up about three per cent of the Canadian population.
"We want to increase our numbers to more accurately reflect the Canadian population."
