First Nations Voice

PAGE 20 • NOVEMBER 2012 DECEMBER 2012 • PAGE 20 New Commanding Officer brings greetings Assistant Commissioner Kevin Brosseau Commanding Officer RCMP "D" Division: across Canada, my family and I are ex- cited to set down roots in Manitoba and become part of this vibrant, diverse community. I grew up in rural Alberta and am excited to be back on the Prai- ries. Throughout my policing career, I have had the pleasure of working closely with Aboriginal communities, particularly during my time in British Columbia and the Yukon. I served in a variety of operational Having lived in many provinces roles, including municipal and provin- cial policing, general investigations, and Aboriginal and community polic- ing. My frontline policing experience has been invaluable as I have taken on new challenges in my career, including pursuing legal studies, and I know that experience will be a great resource for me to draw on in my new position as the Commanding Officer of "D" Divi- sion. In January of 2011, I became the Assistant Commissioner of Contract and Aboriginal Policing at RCMP Na- tional Headquarters, where I was responsible for directing the develop- ment, implementation and monitoring of national policies, procedures and standards governing the RCMP's work with First Nation, Metis, Inuit and other communities across the country. All of this background is a way for me to explain that I recognize and hon- our the longstanding relationship the RCMP and Aboriginal communities have had across Canada, but in partic- ular on the Prairies. I know how impor- tant that relationship is for delivering a professional, culturally sensitive police service. We are providing training to ensure our employees have the skills and knowledge to recognize and pay trib- ute to Aboriginal values and traditions. This is important to me not only as the Commanding Officer of "D" Division, but as a person of Metis descent. I think it is imperative that RCMP employees in this province, and in Canada as a whole, play a large role in working together to keep Aboriginal communities healthy and safe. This is a special focus of mine, and one that I sincerely look forward to discussing with members of the community in the future. Keeping communities safe from First Nations Partner With Winnipeg River Learning Centre To Participate In Unique RRC Aboriginal Education Program Well-equipped and centrally located, criminal activity is an obvious and im- portant priority for a policing organiza- tion, but healthy communities, where the lines of communication are open on issues ranging from mental health to positive role models, are an integral part of making communities a safe place to live. I look forward to meeting with Ab- original leadership and working togeth- er with Manitoba's Aboriginal commu- nities in a collaborative, positive way in addressing the needs of those commu- nities in the future - Kevin Brosseau. the Winnipeg River Learning Centre in Pine Falls serves all residents of Mani- toba's South East region. In an effort to be more responsive and inclusive of our First Nations peoples, WRLC Program Director, John Kawecki, and RRC's Chair of Aborigi- nal Education & ACCESS Programs, Betty- Ann McIvor, met to determine what type(s) of programming would best meet regional needs. RRC's Community-Based Introduc- tion to Trades Program was identified as an applicable and uniquely designed program specifically targeted at persons of Aborigi- nal, Metis and Inuit heritage in rural and remote communities. As a community-based education concept, the Introduction to Trades pro- gram was a perfect fit for the WRLC and on October 15, 2012, vision became real- ity when the Learning Centre welcomed 21 aboriginal participants to the program. Our heartfelt thanks for the strong sup- port from First Nations partners, Black River First Nation, Brokenhead Ojibway Nation and Southeast Student Services, representing Hollow Water, Little Grand Rapids and Pauingassi First Nations, without whom the program could not have been offered. The five month program is designed to introduce students to a wide range of trade careers and prepare them for entry into existing RRC or WRLC pre-employ- ment trades programs. The first part of the program emphasizes math, sci- ence, and communication skills and may provide students with credits towards a trades program of their choice. The second part of the program features a mobile training lab (MTL), consisting of a 53 foot semi-trailer with custom-designed pullouts that trans- form the lab into a 1,000 sq. foot training space. Once set up on-site at the WRLC on January 2, 2013, the trailer will provide students with hands-on trades experience in a wide variety of trades. The carpentry and electrical labs will be hosted in the WLRC's on-site training facilities. For more information on the Introduc- tion to Trades program and this unique pro- gram may be offered at your home com- munity, please contact Betty-Ann McIvor at Red River College, 204.632.2567, or email bmcivor30@rrc.ca. -Betty-Ann McIvor, Red River College

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