Bold Eagle 21 to Participate in Whitecap Dakota Powwow

(Whitecap Dakota First Nation, SK.) FSIN Vice Chief E. Dutch Lerat is pleased to announce Bold Eagle 21 will participate in the grand entry at the Whitecap Dakota First Nation annual powwow.

The grand entry is scheduled for Thursday August 12, 2010 at 1 pm at the Whitecap Dakota First Nation powwow grounds, 23 kilometres south of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. This year is Bold Eagle’s 21st anniversary with more than 1,000 Aboriginal graduates since 1990.

“There are 86 First Nation and Aboriginal recruits from across western Canada, including 24 from Saskatchewan that will participate in the grand entry. Next week this group of young people will graduate,” says Vice Chief Lerat. “On behalf of the FSIN I would like to congratulate them in advance. First Nations have a proud tradition with Canada’s armed forces. The Bold Eagle program will help ensure this tradition continues.”

The Bold Eagle program is a unique summer training employment program for First Nation and Aboriginal youth that has been developed jointly by National Defence and Aboriginal organizations from across western Canada, including the FSIN. Participants undertake a six-week course that combines the Army’s Basic Military Qualification (Reserve), commonly referred to as “basic training”, alongside traditional cultural teachings at the Land Force Western Area Training Centre (LFWA TC) in Wainwright, AB.

The aim of the program is to develop the participants’ self-discipline, teamwork, self-confidence, and physical fitness. It also helps facilitate potential interest in continuing with a full-time or part-time career in the Canadian Forces afterwards.

The Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations represents 74 First Nations in Saskatchewan. The Federation is committed to honouring the spirit and intent of Treaty, as well as the promotion, protection and implementation of the Treaty promises that were made more than a century ago.

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For more information:

FSIN Bold Eagle Coordinator

Lyndon J. Linklater

Cel. 306.227.9458

www.army.forces.gc.ca/boldeagle