32 graduate from military Black Bear Indigenous summer training program

Thirty-two young peoplefrom across eastern Canada have completedtheir training under the Black BearIndigenous summer training program at Base Gagetown.

Black Bear is a six-weekprogram conducted at a training center on the base near Oromocto, N.B.,designed toincorporate Indigenous culture with some basic military training.

"I'mreallyproud of what we've accomplished here." saidLt.-Col.ErrolMacEachern,whoruns the trainingprogramresponsibleforBlack Bear.

MacEachern said the program offers two components to participants.

"Thefirst one is a culture camp we bring in elders andaboriginalcouncilorsin order to work with the youth and givethema more in-depth look at indigenousculturefrom across Canada," he said.

"And then they take part in a full,basicmilitary qualification coursethat we would offer to anyone in the Canadian ArmyReserves."

Friday's graduation ceremonywas attended by more than 200 friends, family and colleagues. After a military parade and severaladdressesand awards, the graduates left the hall to loudapplause from all in attendance.

"I enjoyed it a lot," said16-year-old Patrick Leblancof Fredericton. "I learned that the military is a natural fit for me, and it's a good way of life for me."

"I wanted to see what it was like,for the experience, and to see if I was interested in this type of stuff," said Raeann Riversof ManitouIsland, Ont.,who is unsure if she'llpursue a military careerfurther. "Ilearneda lot of life skills when I was here. Improved on them as well."

MacEachern said programs similar to Black Bear have been run in theCanadianmilitary for about a decade and Friday'sceremonyconcludes the fifth time it has been run in New Brunswick.

"I'm reallyproud of these young people," he said. "They did really, really well here, and I am really proud to have been their commanding officer."