The Raven Indigenous Youth Employment Program

The Raven program is hosted by the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) for Indigenous Peoples from across Canada. The national program is designed to build bridges with Indigenous communities throughout the country and offer part-time or full-time employment with the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) upon successful completion of the course.

Whether or not graduates choose to continue on with a career in the CAF, Raven offers Indigenous culture and teachings along with military training with a Naval influence. It helps develop skills such as self-confidence, self-discipline, teamwork, time management, respect and physical fitness.

When is the Raven program offered?

The Raven program is offered for six weeks from early July until mid-August each year at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Esquimalt, British Columbia.

What activities does the Raven program offer?

Candidates are fully enrolled in the CAF at the beginning of the course and then begin their Raven journey with a three-day Cultural Experience. Here candidates spend the weekend learning traditional Indigenous values and teachings and Connecting to Canada’s diverse cultural history through the guidance of Indigenous teachers and Elders. This experience serves two purposes:

• It helps candidates understand the need for self-discipline and teamwork; and
• It also instils pride through Indigenous traditions within military service.

During the Basic Military Qualification (BMQ) course, candidates learn what every new recruit requires:

• Military knowledge;
• Inspections;
• Physical training;
• Weapons handling;
• Navigation with a map and compass;
• First aid;
• Drill;
• Outdoor field craft; and
• A confidence building obstacle course.

These courses are instructed by qualified military personnel.

Raven candidates also spend a day sailing onboard a Royal Canadian Navy ship where they will experience life at sea, including exposure to:

• Firefighting;
• Flood containment; and
• Damage control principles.

How many candidates participate in the Raven program?

Participation in the Raven program varies from year-to-year. The maximum number of participants is 50. The application deadline is April 30^th or when all positions are filled so apply early!

What expenses are included for Raven participants?

All travel expenses to and from CFB Esquimalt are covered, as are:

• Meals and accommodations;
• Military clothing and equipment; and
• A salary of roughly $4,200.

What are the requirements to become a Raven candidate?

By the start of the Raven program, candidates must:

• Have completed Grade 10;
• Be a minimum of 16 years old and no older than 57;
• Consider themselves to be an Indigenous person (First Nations, Metis, Inuit or non-status); and
• Be a Canadian citizen.