Indigenous students complete training program at Royal Military College of Canada

June 15, 2018 – Kingston, Ont. – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

The Aboriginal Leadership Opportunity Year (ALOY) concluded today at the Royal Military College of Canada (RMC), marking the end of the year-long program focused on developing leaders for Indigenous communities and the Canadian Armed Forces.

The program offers Indigenous youth the opportunity to strengthen their leadership and military skills, academic education, physical fitness, and cultural awareness. The year culminates in a 107-kilometre canoe trek down the Rideau Canal, a final exercise to test the leadership skills the cadets have developed during the program.

Out of this year’s class of 21 ALOY cadets, of which 28 percent are women, 16 will join the Regular Officer Training Program at the Canadian Military Colleges, three will become Non-Commissioned Members and two will bring the skills they learned over the past year at RMC back to their communities and to their future careers.

Quotes

“This program demonstrates the commitment of the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces to strengthen our relationship with Indigenous communities while becoming a more diverse and inclusive institution. This year’s program was an incredible success, with the Indigenous Officer Cadets from seven provinces and one territory gaining a variety of skills that benefit them well into the future.”

– Defence Minister Harjit S. Sajjan

“The Canadian Armed Forces benefits greatly from the unique cultural, spiritual, and traditional identities of Indigenous peoples. We are strengthened by their distinctive perspectives and time-honored legacy of service to Canada. My heartfelt congratulations to all of the students on successfully completing this program.”

– Lieutenant-General Paul Wynnyk, Commander of the Canadian Army and Defence Team Champion for Indigenous Peoples

“These students have met and overcome the challenges of the program, demonstrating their potential to lead, while serving their communities and their country. I am very proud of their accomplishments and look forward to seeing them succeed in the future.”

– Rear-Admiral Luc Cassivi, Commander, Canadian Defence Academy

“RMC is very proud of the ALOY program. This year was, once again, a great success with most members returning this fall as officer cadets to continue their path to become commissioned officers in the Canadian Armed Forces. To those who have chosen to become Non-Commissioned Members, or return to their communities, I wish you great success in your future endeavors.”

– Brigadier-General Sébastien Bouchard, Commandant, Royal Military College of Canada

Quick facts

• The ALOY is an example of the Canadian Armed Forces’ engagement with   Indigenous Canadians in an effort to ensure a more diverse military in line with Canada’s Defence Policy – Strong, Secure, Engaged.
• ALOY was created in August 2008 to provide a military education and learning experience for members of Canada’s Indigenous communities.
• ALOY is one of several programs that aim to showcase the many opportunities available in the Canadian Armed Forces to Indigenous Canadians, while demonstrating the fair and equitable environment the military offers.
• Participants receive a salary at the Officer Cadet rank level, as well as paid tuition and books.
•  Nearly 200 Indigenous students have entered the program since 2008.

Associated links

• RMC Facebook
• RMC Twitter
• Programs for Indigenous peoples
• #ALOY

Contacts

Captain Leah Campbell
Public Affairs Officer
Royal Military College of Canada
Phone: (613) 541-6000 ext 6484
Email: leah.campbell@forces.gc.ca

Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: 613-996-2353
Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca

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