I'm always inspired when I see the new and exciting leadership roles young people from our First Nations communities are taking on. This year, I've had the pleasure of seeing first-hand what they're capable of when they're given the opportunities to learn, grow and make their mark on an organization.
Today, more than 1,900 RCMP police officers identify themselves as Indigenous and the national police force is looking for more. One of the ways we are recruiting that talent is through the Aboriginal Pre-Cadet Training Program (APTP). This initiative has been around since 1994 to encourage Indigenous Canadians to consider a career with the RCMP.
Each May, candidates from across Canada, who are between the ages of 19 and 29, spend three weeks at the RCMP Training Academy (Depot) in Regina. They develop skills such as public speaking, physical fitness and learn about different aspects of law enforcement.
This year, two young members of Kingsclear First Nation, Hannah Millier and Justin McCarthy-Paul, were accepted into the program. Both had strong family support to apply to APTP. Justin's grandfather was an RCMP police officer.
"I've seen him wear his reds and since then I've always wanted my own," Justin says, referring to the iconic Red Serge dress uniform. "When I heard about the program, I jumped at the chance to apply."
Hannah's father was the one who brought the program to her attention and recommended she apply. "He's always encouraged me to get involved with the RCMP because he knew I was interested. So he actually introduced the program to me, and I went for it."
Both Hannah and Justin valued their time at Depot, not only for the RCMP training experience but because it allowed them to connect with other Aboriginal Pre-Cadets from across the country, other young Indigenous people with similar goals and aspirations.
"It was comfortable," says Hannah. "We went there and felt like we were all connected. It was such an opportunity to open some doors, have a great experience, and meet new people."
The New Brunswick RCMP saw the value Hannah and Justin could bring to the organization and hired them to work at our Headquarters in Fredericton for the rest of the summer. This was a unique extension of the program, and the first time it's been done in Canada.
Ensuring Indigenous peoples' culture, traditions and presence is reflected within the RCMP is an important piece in moving towards reconciliation, and the APTP works towards that goal. Hannah and Justin came under my supervision, as the New Brunswick RCMP's Indigenous Strategic Planning Analyst.
I wanted Hannah and Justin to become role models for other Indigenous young people in New Brunswick, and to help make connections between the RCMP and our First Nations communities. I've been blown away by the contributions Hannah and Justin have made, even in the short time they've been with the New Brunswick RCMP, and I'm so proud of the work they've done. They've participated in community outreach and are helping to develop and coordinate the RCMP's reconciliation strategy in New Brunswick.
Hannah and Justin have also had the unique opportunity to learn first-hand from the different units that make up the RCMP. After spending time with everyone from the Forensic Facial Imaging artist to the Emergency Response Team, both say their time with the RCMP has been eye-opening.
I'm proud to share that Justin has successfully applied to become an RCMP police officer and will be returning to Depot soon to officially begin his training. Hannah has committed to finishing her university degree first, but says a career with the RCMP is definitely in her future.
I'm excited to see the contributions Hannah and Justin, and other Indigenous people, will make as the RCMP continues to move towards reconciliation.
The call for applications for the 2020 Aboriginal Pre-Cadet Training Program will go out in January. I strongly encourage New Brunswick Indigenous young people to consider following Hannah and Justin's footprints, and make their own new paths in our organization.
Tracey Paul-Kirkpatrick
New Brunswick RCMP's Indigenous Strategic Planning Analyst