Bold Eagle program spreads its wings

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Elder Ernest Crowe believes his experience in the Canadian Air Force was the making of him as a man, and now he's proud to be a part of an organization that offers a similar experience to other Native youth in Canada.

Crowe lent his support to a news conference April 21 announcing the expansion of Bold Eagle, the First Nations Reserve Training Program initiated to involve First Nations youth in the Canadian Reserves. The six-week summer program is designed to develop self-confidence, discipline, respect, teamwork, leadership skills and physical fitness through military training.

Bold Eagle was initiated by the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations in 1990 and was originally limited to Native youth from First Nations in Saskatchewan. This year the program has been extended to Western Canada's four provinces for men and women, 17 to 26 years of age, who meet the military standards for admission.

Crow described himself as a lost child after years spent in a residential school where he was forced to abandon his culture and language. "I was afraid of my upbringing. Afraid of what I'd learned. I had lost my identity. I didn't know who I was or where I was going," he said. But in 1939 he entered the air force and life for him changed dramatically.

Bold Eagle has two components to achieve this link, said Major-General Tom deFaye, Commander of Land Force Western Area. Reserve instructors go through cross cultural training to sensitize them to First Nations and give them a broader understanding of the people in their command. Changes have been made in the dress code, as well. A Native man who wears braids when he enters the program is allowed to wear them throughout the training.

Participants in Bold Eagle are also given cultural instruction on what it is to be First Nations, said Manitoba training co-ordinator Melvin Swan. This training involves the teaching of Indian values, customs, histories and traditions. Drug and alcohol abuse, treaty rights, racism and discrimination, are among the other issues being addressed.

Bold Eagle has introduced an advisory counselling component to the reserve training for those participants who find it difficult adapting to the military lifestyle. These counsellors are made up of Native veterans who support and encourage the youth throughout the program.

Bold Eagle is not a recruitment tool for the regular forces, said deFaye, but it does provide First Nations youth with an opportunity to establish a career with the Canadian forces.

All candidates undergo a six week recruit course at either the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry Battle School in Wainwright, Alberta, or the royal Canadian Artillery Battle School in Shilo, Manitoba.

Any band council in Western Canada should have access to information on the Bold Eagle program or application to Bold Eagle can be made through a Canadian Forces Recruiting Centre.