Reservation Soldiers

Adventure. Discipline. Cold hard cash. This is what the Canadian military program Bold Eagle offers Aboriginal youth from Western Canada's remote reserves, and it looks good. But for the 'lucky' ones who beat the fierce competition to get into this six-week boot camp for First Nations youth, Bold Eagle is no cakewalk. For many of these young men and women, this is the biggest challenge they have ever encountered. Not only are they going through arduous training and the challenge of adapting to military culture very different from their own, they are on the verge of entering the Canadian Forces at one of the most dangerous times in recent history.

Reservation Soldiers takes a closer look at the complex relationship between the Canadian Forces and First Nations youth, following three young men from Saskatchewan reservations over a period of two years. The military have pushed their recruitment drive into high gear, and native youth represent the perfect untapped resource. Why are these teens so keen to join up? Is a career in the military the only way out? Is is really the best option for both?

Subject(s): Careers, Community dynamics, Economics, Ethics, Identity, Indigenous people, Poverty, Public policy, Youth