Bold Eagle program blends Indigenous teachings with military ethos
September 20, 2023 - Capt Charles McDougall, 3rd Canadian Division Training Centre
The Bold Eagle program is the Canadian Armed Forces’ (CAF) oldest and largest Indigenous program.
Bold Eagle started 34 years ago as a co‑operative effort between the CAF and the First Nations of Saskatchewan. In that time, it has steadily expanded from its Saskatchewan roots and is now open to Indigenous youth from across Western and Northern Canada, in partnership and collaboration with the Saskatchewan Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN).
Since its inception, more than 1,700 youth have graduated the program, and many of the graduates are still active in the CAF.
This year marks the 33rd iteration of the Bold Eagle program, which took place from July 3 to Aug. 11 at the 3rd Canadian Division Training Centre at 3rd Canadian Division Support Base Edmonton Detachment Wainwright. The course featured three platoons named after CAF veterans: Chief Evan Taypotat (Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI)), Chief Kelly Wolfe (PPCLI), and Virginia Pechawis.
The program offers candidates the opportunity to experience what it’s like to be a soldier in the CAF. The program is composed of the five‑weeklong Primary Reserve Basic Military Qualification course, as well as an FSIN‑led culture week the first week.
During the culture week, candidates are exposed to Western Canadian First Nation traditions, and Métis and Inuit influences, in order to bring them back to their cultural roots. Candidates are welcomed with a pipe ceremony to get them into a spiritual mindset and bring them together as a group.
There are two sweat lodges during the program – one at the beginning and one midway through the course. The sweat lodges allow the candidates to experience the tradition, where an elder’s helper brings hot rocks and water into the lodge while the elder recites prayers and songs. Smudges are also conducted during this week, and throughout the course at the candidate’s request. A smudge is a spiritual cleansing meant to eliminate all negative energy with the burning of sage or sweet grass.
A teepee raise is demonstrated, and the candidates take part by setting up a teepee while an elder explains the virtue meaning of each pole. This is again conducted prior to the graduation parade on the parade square as an esprit de corps challenge to see which platoon can raise their teepee the fastest.
Approximately a month into the course, there is a powwow that showcases the candidates’ foot drill skills and abilities in front of their families, friends and elders. This event alternates between provinces and was held in Saskatchewan this year.
Over the five weeks of training, the candidates are issued the necessary kit to perform their duties and are exposed to CAF policies and procedures, skills to enhance mental resilience, military ethos and drill classes. Throughout the course, the candidates have access to the elders when they want, in addition to during the designated course time.
As the weeks go on, the candidates are taught how to properly use their service rifle and how to operate and navigate in the field. They also learn first aid skills, how to rappel from a rappel tower and conduct a live fire range.
The candidates attend a career day midway through the course, where they see the numerous employment opportunities available to them in both the CAF and other federal government agencies.
The fourth week is a culmination of all their training with a three-day field training exercise in the Wainwright training area, which tests their newly acquired skills.
Upon completing the field exercise and returning from the training area, the candidates prepare for the graduation parade held at the Keller Parade Square and Tommy Prince Drill Hall.
Prior to the parade, the teepee raise is conducted alongside a drum circle and ceremonial dancers who showcase their dance for all in attendance. These dances range from grass dancers, male chicken dancers, jingle dancers and fancy dancers, each displaying their own dress regalia.
In attendance at the graduation parade this year were FSIN elders, course staff, family members and loved ones. Among the civilian and military dignitaries were the lieutenant-governors of Alberta and Saskatchewan; Brigadier-General Steve Graham, Commander 3rd Canadian Division; FSIN Vice Chief Edward (Dutch) Lerat and Chief Evan Taypotat.
This year, the Bold Eagle program featured 120 candidates, 96 of whom graduated. Several graduates will stay on and join the CAF, and others will return home with a new skill set to pass on to their families and friends.
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Bold Eagle 2023 candidates learn about fire safety on July 24.
Photo by Cpl Trevor Pomarenski, Garrison Wainwright Imaging
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Bold Eagle 2023 candidates learn and practise first aid procedures on Aug. 1.
Photo by Cpl Trevor Pomarenski, Garrison Wainwright Imaging
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Candidates from Bold Eagle 2023 learn to use a harness in preparation for the repel tower on Aug. 2.
Photo by Cpl Trevor Pomarenski, Garrison Wainwright Imaging
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Candidates from Bold Eagle 2023 conduct their Personal Weapons Test 1 using the C7A2 Service Rifle at the 3rd Canadian Division Training Centre, on Aug. 2.
Photo by Cpl Daniel Chiasson, Garrison Wainwright Imaging