The Stoney Tribal Cadet Corps is once again marching along.
After a breather beginning in December 2012, the cadet program — based in the Stoney Nakoda First Nation’s townsite of Morley — started back again May 15. Already the program is seeing positive effects, according to Shauna Dolan, president of the cadet program.
While Dolan admitted it would take a bit of time for the program to gain momentum, she said she has no doubts the community will once again, welcome the cadet corps.
“I think it was greatly missed,” she said. “The program opened the door for the community to gather, share and spend time with each other.
“We absolutely saw the positive effects of the program pour into the community. It breathed life back into the community.”
The program took its brief hiatus as a response to diminishing resources and to let the community adjust to the Idle No More campaign, explained Dolan. The vision of the program is three-fold. First and foremost, the initiative is meant to encourage positive conflict resolution, said Dolan. Following that, the program served as a method of reducing violence and gang activity. Lastly, she said the cadet initiative enabled participants to pursue personal and community growth.
“These benefits are why we are so insistent on getting the program back up and running,” she said.
While the troupe has a camping trip slated for this summer, Dolan said right now the program is currently focusing on reconnecting and establishing a solid base. At last count, Dolan said the program has attracted about 12-16 participants, primarily made up of Morley youth. Prior to the initiative’s break, she said it boasted between 30-40 participants. The cadet corps is open to children, youth and young adults. Drills run at 4 p.m. on Wednesdays at the recreation centre in Morley.
