WATCH ABOVE: For two weeks, 37 First Nations students will take part in the Oskayak Police Academy with Edmonton police officers. Kendra Slugoski has the story.
EDMONTON — About three dozen First Nations teenagers are getting a first-hand look at what it takes to be a police officer.
After working alongside Edmonton police officers for two weeks, 37 youth aged 14 to 18 years, will earn high school credits. But, there’s hope they’ll take away something more from the program.
“We want to build trusting relationships between youth and police that will carry on in the future,” said Andrea Levey, an EPS Aboriginal Relations Coordinator. “These positive relationships will help youth feel more connected to their community, reduce the potential for criminal or gang behaviour, and inspire a new generation of leaders.”
“I think it’s really going to help our youth see police officers as human beings and vice versa,” added Christie Pace, from the Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society.
“We’re working together to collaboratively see each other in a different light.”
The Oskayak Police Academy is a way for police to build relationships with the First Nations community. Officers also hope the experience will help youth see a different side of the men and women in uniform.
“There’s a lot of misunderstanding,” said Levey. “There’s a lack of trust in our community, and a lot of that relates to history, but it’s still really prevalent today.”
Edmonton has the second-largest urban Aboriginal population in Canada, and approximately 50 per cent of this population is under the age of 25.
The program runs July 6 to 17. Participants will be trained in leadership development and problem solving, attend educational sessions and traditional cultural activities with diverse speakers and Elders, assist with community outreach in the downtown core, and experience what it is like to be a police recruit.
Students tried on riot gear, which weighs about 80 pounds, during a session on Wednesday. They also tested their fitness level on an obstacle course.
“It’s really tough but it’s really fun,” said Jaurie Alexis-Flett, a Jasper Place High School student. “I used to think that police just slack off, they have an easy job. I realize how tough it is now.”
The 15-year-old said it also gave her more respect for police.
“Just all the training they go through to make us feel safe and secure. It’s pretty cool.”
This is the second year the Oskayak Police Academy has been offered.
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