Cadets graduate at Stoney Nakoda Nation

A crime-plagued reserve west of Calgary has graduated its first class of cadets in a program aimed at giving young people a positive alternative to drugs and gangs.

In June, the RCMP and members of the Stoney Nakoda Nation started a cadet program for youth from six- to 20-years-old that teaches respect, friendship and life-skills.

"I'm very proud...very proud," said Baptiste, who knows the reserve’s hardships first-hand.

"It's very bad. All the young kids are drinking, drug abuse sometimes they commit suicide at a young age. Even my husband committed suicide four years ago. So I don't want her brought up that way."

RCMP Corp. Mel Calahasen started the program to give the kids a sense of hope.

The detachment patrols a region with a population of 55,000. But Calahasen said 60 per cent of the calls come from Morley, a community of just 4,500.

The turnout at the graduation ceremony was a pleasant surprise, he said.

"When we started the program I was expecting 12, which would be a successful program. But to see 25 to 35. It blew me away."

20-year-old Teddy Dixon, who recently lost a relative to alcohol addiction, was among the graduates.

"From there I told myself I'm going to stay in this cadet program to stay away from drinking and violence. And that's what I intend to do," Dixon said.

Dixon is now going to help more than 70 new members become Stoney Tribal Cadets, he said.