ATCO partners with Siksika Cadet Corps

Times Reporter     

  

ATCO signed a three-year partnership with Siksika Nation Community Cadet Corps on Sept. 23. 

The program is a community-based initiative for at-risk youth and ATCO has come on board to support this youth plan.

Constable Todd Depagie of the Gleichen RCMP, who is the commanding officer with the Cadet Corps, could not be more thrilled to see ATCO donate to community organization such as this one.

“Just for a brief history of the what the Cadet Corps is, it’s part of the Alberta Community Cadet Corps group,” said Depagie. “The initial one started in 2005 in Hobbema and they started the program there to combat gang activity. Gangs were recruiting young kids, the RCMP started up a cadet program there and started getting the kids into cadets.” 

“Once that was underway they were able to brag ‘hey we’re the biggest gang in Hobbema now.’ They had over 100 cadets show up on a weekly basis and over 1,000 registered at one point.”

The Siksika Nation started their Cadet Corps last year and really want youth to get involved as it will boost ones self esteem and discipline. 

“Cpl. Pascal Richard was doing some of the background on that. He heard about the Cadet Corp success that happened up in Hobbema and so he started meeting and partnered with Siksika Justice,” said Depagie. “Then I came in here just in May of last year and along with Pascal we got the Cadet Corps up and running.”

Depagie has really embraced the kind of support the Siksika community has been able to give to the Cadet Corps.

“So far it’s been great, the support from the community is outstanding. We’re going to be forming our formal society very shortly – kids seem to love it, it gives them a place to be – (it is) just tremendous here,” said Depagie.

The age group for Cadet Corps is from 11-17, but if you are older, there is the possibility of being recruited to become a leader.

“We are geared towards 11 to 17 year olds, however once they hit 18 we do still want to retain them as a leader,” said Depagie. “If there are people that are 18 and older that are interested in the program then we want to train them as a leader and it’s a way for them not only to be involved in youth but to give back in some way.”

When the Cadet Corps meet, you can see them working on drills, which is a very important part of the program because it shows teamwork.

Mike Buxton, General Manger of Calgary’s ATCO Northeast division was very pleased to be on hand to commence the partnership.

“Well we look at the communities and see where we are the best fit and we want to benefit the entire community, not just the smaller groups within,” said Buxton. “We feel this is just a fantastic group benefit (for) the whole community, so our support is going where we feel it’s utilized.” 

ATCO gets involved with many First Nation Community Corps and when the Siksika Cadet corps came about last year, the decision was easy to get involved with this one too.

“We’re supporting Cadet Corps in other first nation communities as well and we became aware of this one that started up last year, so we’re like ‘hey lets get involved with this one’ too,” said Buxton. 

It was a financial donation that went towards the corps program, but the total could not be released because ATCO is working with other First Nations Communities with these donations.

Siksika Cadet Corps meets from 4:30-7 p.m. every Tuesday at Chief Old Sun Elementary in Siksika Nation.