ALOY program at Royal Military College provides a pathway to success

October 21, 2014

Lyne Bonhomme, Montreal, QC – Eric Bristow, Williams Lake, B.C. - Skye Crate, Koostatak, MB - Timothy Johnston, Emeryville, ON - Hannah Mantla, Yellowknife, NT - Tristan Roberts, Dominion City, MB - Dalton Simba, Hay River, NWT - Kurt Touchette, Westcock, NB – Kyra Gornall, Demorestville, ON - Trista Bomberry, Ohsweken, ON - Toby Ferland, Duck Bay, MB - Christian Guimond, Swan Hills, AB - Kimberly Minoza, Yellow Knife, NT - Michaela Rudderham, Sidney, NS - Taylor Strickland, Calgary, AB - Tishyna Ned, Lillooet, BC - Gunner Bressette, Kettle Point, ON — Lyne Bonhomme, Montreal, QC – Eric Bristow, Williams Lake, B.C. – Skye Crate, Koostatak, MB – Timothy Johnston, Emeryville, ON – Hannah Mantla, Yellowknife, NT – Tristan Roberts, Dominion City, MB – Dalton Simba, Hay River, NWT – Kurt Touchette, Westcock, NB – Kyra Gornall, Demorestville, ON – Trista Bomberry, Ohsweken, ON – Toby Ferland, Duck Bay, MB – Christian Guimond, Swan Hills, AB – Kimberly Minoza, Yellow Knife, NT – Michaela Rudderham, Sidney, NS – Taylor Strickland, Calgary, AB – Tishyna Ned, Lillooet, BC – Gunner Bressette, Kettle Point, ON

KINGSTON – Seventeen young Aboriginal men and women of exceptional moral courage have come from across Canada to attend the Royal Military College’s Aboriginal Leadership Opportunity Year (ALOY) program.

Robert P. Wells was invited by ALOY Elder, Bernard Nelson and Warrant Officer Brian Highfield to speak to the group about the history of Indian Residential Schools. Though some students said family members had attended residential school, I was surprised that four were unaware of this dark Chapter of Canadian History.

The ALOY Program is one of three experience programs that the Canadian Forces offer Aboriginal Peoples. The others are summer training programs and the Canadian Forces Aboriginal Entry Program. These specially-designed programs focus on lifestyle and leadership without having to commit to joining the Forces.

The ALOY Program, now in its seventh year, provides Aboriginal youth an introduction into military life, academics, and a pathway for going forth to become successful at what ever they choose.

On parting, each student was given a copy Wawahte – Subject Indian Residential Schools, written by Robert P. Wells. The book is a three first person survivor account, with chapters elucidating historical background, including timelines of forced integration, a list of schools, discussion points and a collection of official apologies over the years.