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Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Edmonton is partnering with Driftpile Cree Nation to host the Eagle’s Nest Indigenous Youth Leadership Camp.
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The camp, from Aug. 22 to Aug. 28, takes place near the southern shore of Lesser Slave Lake at Driftpile Cree Nation, about 330 kilometres northwest of Edmonton.
Up to 30 youth between the ages of 13 and 16 years old will participate in the program this year. Instructors from 1 Combat Engineer Regiment, from CFB Edmonton, are gearing up to host activities that help develop leadership skills, including planning, problem solving and teamwork.
“Leadership programs such as Eagle’s Nest 2021 strengthen Canada’s future by investing in our youth and promoting and expanding relationships between Indigenous communities and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF),” said Brig.-Gen. Bill Fletcher, commander of 3rd Canadian Division/Joint Task Force (West).
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“As we relaunch CAF summer training across the country, I am confident this experience will be rewarding for the youth and instructors alike.”
Eagles’ Nest is part of the CAF Indigenous Summer Training. The program promotes leadership skills to youth while introducing military members to Indigenous values, traditions, and history. It’s also an avenue to build relationships between the Canadian Army and Indigenous Peoples.
The course, held on a different First Nation each summer, is open to youth aged 13-16 who are nominated by their community. It began in 2013 under the name of Soaring Bird Aboriginal Youth Leadership Camp and was renamed Eagle’s Nest in 2014.
CAF also supports summer training with other Indigenous communities across Canada, including Bold Eagle, Raven, Black Bear, Carcajou, and Grey Wolf.
All activities during Eagle’s Nest with comply with CAF and provincial COVID-19 health and safety guidelines.
