Canadian Forces on recruiting drive

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A group of civilian and military officials visited Calgary recently to explain the Canadian Armed Forces' drive to recruit minorities. Lieutenant Michele Tremblay, a Mohawk currently serving as the Diversity Staff Officer at CFB Borden, said the military's goal is to have 3.5 per cent of its ranks composed of First Nations people.

There are a variety of programs designed to help the forces reach this target, including the Aboriginal Entry program. According to Lieut. Tremblay, the program is designed to "break down barriers" and serve as the first step in exposing interested Aboriginal people to life in the armed forces. The program consists of a three-week pre-recruit training course, which exposes 60 Aboriginal participants to boot camp and the demands of army life.

After the three weeks, participants are free to decide whether they want to pursue a career in the armed forces and proceed to the 10-week basic training program, or return to civilian life. The Aboriginal Entry program evolved out of a similar program designed for people living in the north. Last year the program was opened to all Aboriginals in the country.

"It's been very successful; there is more interest than openings," Lieut. Tremblay said in May. "It's a wonderful idea, it's a good opportunity . . . because it is in September our main focus is to target people who are not willing to go back to school or who are finished school. If you're graduating, it's a perfect time to go into this program."

With only 60 openings a year, the Aboriginal Entry program is somewhat limited in scope and has been supplemented by other Aboriginal recruiting programs. In Western Canada, there is the Tommy Prince program and Bold Eagle. The Tommy Prince program is named for the much-decorated Aboriginal soldier, Thomas George Prince, who served in World War II and Korea. It is directed at Aboriginal youth interested in joining the infantry.

Bold Eagle is also designed to expose potential First Nations recruits to life in the military. Held each summer, the program includes a five-day camp run by First Nations Elders that is designed to help participants make the transition to the rules and expectations of military life. This "culture camp" is followed by six weeks' training.

Lieut. Tremblay has recruited in the far north and other parts of Canada and, speaking as an 11-year veteran of the navy, she says participants in these programs are often surprised to learn how much the armed forces has to offer. "They are intending to go back to school but once they try it out, they decide 'hey, you're going to give me the same or a better training, and pay me as well, that's a good deal.' "

According to the 1997 Canadian Armed Forces census, Aboriginal people made up 1.4 per cent of the forces (approximately 1, 275 members). Another census will be conducted this fall to determine how many Aboriginal recruits will be needed to reach the target of 3.5 per cent.