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Cross Lake cadets open first training centre in Northern Manitoba

The first cadet training centre in Northern Manitoba will enable the 38 Ernest McLeod Cadet Corps program in Cross Lake to nearly double the amount of youth who take part in its programs, the provincial government says.
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The 38 Ernest McLeod Cadet Corps Cross Lake Drill Hall and Training Centre officially opened June 7 and will serve the members of the only Royal Canadian Army Cadet program in an aboriginal community in Manitoba, virtually all of whose members are First Nation members.

The first cadet training centre in Northern Manitoba will enable the 38 Ernest McLeod Cadet Corps program in Cross Lake to nearly double the amount of youth who take part in its programs, the provincial government says.

The 38 Ernest McLeod Cadet CorpsCross Lake Drill Hall and Training Centre officially opened June 7 and will serve the members of the only Royal Canadian Army Cadet program in an aboriginal community in Manitoba, virtually all of whose members are First Nation members.

"Opening the Cross Lake Cadet Drill Hall is a remarkable achievement for everyone involved," said Deanne Crothers, the St. James NDP MLA, who is the provincial government's special envoy for military affairs, in a press release. "Cadets programs across the country involve youth in positive training, but few stories are as unique as Cross Lake's."

The Cross Lake army cadets program began in 2006 and its members have attended special events at the Legislature and elsewhere in Winnipeg, presented to the northern development ministers of Canada in Ottawa in 2007, and served as the honour guard at the funeral of Oscar Lathlin, former MLA for The Pas.

Army cadets members train in the use of maps and compasses, GPS technology, orienteering, first aid, camping, survival skills, canoeing, abseiling, trekking and mountain biking, among others. Some are selected to participate in parachuting, whitewater rafting and glacier climbing, as well as other activities such as competitive Olympic-style marksmanship and biathlon, sports and music competitions, cultural outings and volunteer activities. Top cadets from across the country have participated in high-level expeditions in countries such as Morocco, Australia, Costa Rica, South Korea, Italy, France, Spain and New Zealand. There are 52,000 army, navy and air cadets across Canada and 7,800 commissioned officers in the Cadet Instructors Cadre of the Cadet Organizations Administration and Training service, a sub-component of the reserve force. Instructors work with cadets for an average of one night and one weekend day per week and many instruct cadets at one of 23 cadet summer training centres or accompany them to competitions and on expeditions.

Supporters of the Cross Lake cadet program include the provincial government, Cross Lake First Nation, the community council, the RCMP and the National Crime Prevention Centre, which work together with the cadet program to help it grow and improve.

"The Cross Lake cadets are the pride of their community," said Crothers. "Commanding officer Bob Smith and the other mentors and volunteers are to be commended for their many years of dedication."

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