Issue 10/03 – 22 October 2003
CF making progress recruiting Aboriginal Canadians
By Capt C.V. White
CFB BORDEN – Sixty-five Aboriginal people from
across Canada graduated September 19 from the CF Aboriginal Entry
Program (CFAEP) Pre-Recruit Training Course (PRTC) 2003 in front
of family members, friends and special guests at the CF Leadership
and Recruit School (CFLRS) in St-Jean, Que.
 LCol Rick Mt. Pleasant, MMM, CD, from Six Nations Reserve near Hamilton, reviews graduates of the 2003 Pre-Recruit Training Course.
By Mr. Christian Jacques
“This course marks the largest number of candidates
since we started running the new course in 2000,” said Colonel
Alain Tremblay, Commander CF Recruiting Group (CFRG). “We're
making steady progress at reaching our goals of increasing the representation
of employment equity groups in the CF. The growth of interest in
the CFAEP shows our efforts of reaching out to the many Aboriginal
communities across the country is paying off by opening the door
to a significant pool of talented individuals interested in serving
the country.”
Fifteen of the 65 candidates enrolled in the CF as
part of the graduation parade, and some plan to join in the coming
year, after completing the education requirements they need to apply
to officer entry programs.
Mr. Billy Two Rivers, a well-respected Elder in the
Mohawk Culture from Kahnawake, Que congratulated the graduates and
newest recruits. Mr. Two Rivers, a 20-year Mohawk Council member
and advisor to the Assembly of First Nations, offered opening and
closing blessings for graduates representing Aboriginal communities
from all but one of the 13 provinces and territories, and acknowledged
their resolve, perseverance and dedication.
Through the CFAEP, the CF hopes to increase its numbers
of Aboriginal members. During the three-week PRTC, Aboriginal youth
from isolated and northern communities have the opportunity to test-drive
the CF. They learn more about urban and military cultures and receive
more transition time to adapt to a more stressful environment, putting
them on an equal footing with other recruits should they decide
to begin basic training.
Since 2000, about 180 candidates have started the
PRTC in Farnham, and more than 50 have enrolled in the CF immediately
after graduating. Before 2000, Aboriginal members represented about
1.4% of the total CF population. In the most recent self-identification
census, that percentage had risen to 3.4.
First Nations, Métis and Inuit members make up about
2.3% of the Regular Force, and we are steadily closing on our target
of 3%, identified in the 1996 Statistics Canada census wherein Aboriginal
peoples comprised 3% of the Canadian population.
Capt White is the CFRG PAO.
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