SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Murina Sabourin of Fort Providence will be spending the next year furthering her education while exploring what the Canadian Forces has to offer.

At a ceremony in Yellowknife on July 16, Sabourin joined the Canadian Forces as an Officer Cadet. In August, Sabourin will be leaving her home to take the Aboriginal Leadership Opportunity Year (ALOY) program.

Murina Sabourin of Fort Providence, centre, shakes hands with Brig.-Gen. David Millar following her enrollment into the Canadian Forces in Yellowknife. Murina's parents Henry, left, and Leonie were among the family members who attended the ceremony. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

ALOY is a one-year program offered at the Royal Military College Saint-Jean in Quebec.

As part of the program Sabourin will take university preparation courses while acquiring military skills and developing leadership abilities.

"I'm really excited and I can't wait to go to school," Sabourin said in a short speech after her enrollment.

Sabourin, 20, has dreams of becoming a nurse. She's using the ALOY program to upgrade her education to work towards a science degree.

"I want to go back to school and this will be a really good opportunity," she said.

Graduates from the program have a number of options including pursuing a degree at the Royal Military College and serving as a commissioned officer in the Canadian Forces, going to a civilian university and remaining an officer or returning home.

Sabourin said she's going to see how this year goes but her plans include taking her nursing degree at a civilian university while remaining in the Canadian Forces and then serving as an officer.

Although she's the first person from her family to join the Canadian Forces Sabourin doesn't see it as an unusual career choice.

Last summer Sabourin completed the Raven Aboriginal Youth Employment Program that is run by the Canadian Navy Maritime Forces Pacific.

The program gives participants an idea of what life with the Canadian Forces is like.

"People think it's hard but I don't think it's that hard," Sabourin said about being in the forces.

The armed forces provides lots of opportunities and experiences along with travel to other parts of Canada and the world, she said.

"I want to get a really good education and a really good career," said Sabourin.

If she stays in the Canadian Forces Sabourin said she isn't concerned about the chances of serving overseas somewhere like Afghanistan.

A commitment like that is a long way away and you need a lot of training, she said.

Although she will be away from her family for a year, Sabourin said she is really looking forward to the experience.

"I don't know what I expect but I'm ready for it," she said.

Sabourin's mother Leonie said the family will really miss her.

"We're really proud of her," said Henry, Sabourin's father.