RCMP corporal marks 25-year milestone

It may not be a surprise for Cpl. Mel Calahasen to have received his 25 year medal with the RCMP, but it is an accomplishment.

“My initial response was, ‘I did it,’” said Calahasen. “Unfortunately a lot of members that are First Nations in the RCMP don’t reach their 25 years.”

There are many reasons why Aboriginal members find it hard to stick out the quarter century milestone, he said, ranging from family commitments to personal issues to work concerns.

Calahasen said he joined the force with the intention of serving 25 to 27 years (minimum retirement is 20 years). He said he will hit at least 27 years because when he helped launch the Stoney Tribal Cadet Program at Morley last year he made a commitment to remain involved for two years.  Presently Calahasen serves as corporal in the Cochrane RCMP detachment in charge of the administrative and operational dealings with Morley, a position he feels he was given both because of the point he is in his career and the work he has already undertaken in the community.

Calahasen  said being First Nations “definitely helps big time” in his dealings with Morley.

Calahasen joined the force because his brother was an RCMP officer in Fort McMurray and came home with incredible stories.

“It always sounded so exciting and one of the things that always caught my attention was that you were able to help people…. Once I got in to the RCMP, certainly it was both and a whole lot more,” he said.

But Calahasen had to put off joining the force for a year because, at 17 years of age, he needed his mother’s signature.  Mary Calahasen refused to sign for her youngest of 10 children – six girls and four boys. A year later, Calahasen was of age. His mother attended his graduation ceremony and was proud of his accomplishments. He was stationed at Valleyview.

Although his mother was concerned for his safety and that was the reason she gave for refusing her permission, Calahasen said he has begun to realize that her feelings went deeper than that.

“I think it had a lot to do with the negative connotations associated with the RCMP with the Aboriginal people back in the days. They were used as enforcers. Children were taken away from their homes without reservation and they were forced into these (residential) schools. I think my mom being in that era, even though she has never said that to me, I’m thinking that’s probably one of the reasons,” he said.

Calahasen would like to see more Aboriginal members on the force.

“I think it’s exceptionally important. A lot of communities have a tendency to be more open to Aboriginal members and are apt to be more accepting of those members,” he said.

However, while being First Nations may give him an in-road for a community like Morley, it still means hard work.

“It’s not just the fact that you’re Aboriginal, but the fact that you’re Aboriginal and able to communicate with all people, whether it’s the Elders or the youth,” said Calahasen. “You have to have that ability to communicate with everybody. Once you gain their trust, then you find the doors are wide open.”

As the supervisor of Morley, Calahasen admits he often finds himself fielding phone calls about issues RCMP members or regarding the First Nation.

“Communication needs to be at best, but yet you still have to be focused enough where you can still sit back and say, ‘What direction can we take? Is it best for the RCMP? Is it best for both the community and the RCMP?’ And then you’re able to sit down and make a rational decision from that with the people or stakeholders that are going to be involved,” said Calahasen.

Photo Caption:Special ceremony marks 25 year milestone Corporal Mel Calahasen (centre) received his 25-year medal for service from District Commander Dale McGowan, Commanding officer of “K” Division (left) and Lieutenant Governor Donald S. Ethell in a ceremony held in Edmonton. It is a milestone that Calahasen is particularly proud of having set as his goal when he first joined the service.

Photo: Shari Narine