Edward 91裸聊视频淗awk91裸聊视频� Kelly Jr. was the first Indigenous person in the history of the force to serve in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
Because he was the first, Kelly effectively paved the way for hundreds of police officers of First Nations ancestry who followed in his footsteps.
91裸聊视频淚 feel so humbled by all of this,91裸聊视频� Kelly told Black Press.
Kelly will be honoured in Chilliwack at a special event on June 26.
The celebration will mark Kelly91裸聊视频檚 80th birthday, as well as 60 years since he graduated from the RCMP Training Academy, known as 91裸聊视频淒epot91裸聊视频� in 1959.
There are currently about 150 RCMP members across B.C. who hail from First Nations communities.
Kelly was sworn in as a member in 1958, and then completed his RCMP training at Depot in 1959, two years after he graduated from Chilliwack secondary.
91裸聊视频淚 didn91裸聊视频檛 actually know at the time that I was the first status Indian to serve,91裸聊视频� Kelly said. 91裸聊视频淚 just applied for the job that had been my dream job. I always wanted to become a Mountie.91裸聊视频�
Nicknamed 91裸聊视频淗awk91裸聊视频� by his great-grandfather, Kelly said he earned the name because he had sharp eyes like a hawk.
The next day after his graduation from Depot, Kelly boarded a train and headed out to his first posting in Edmonton, to guard cell blocks, before moving on to serve as a constable in the Westblock detachment.
Kelly was an RCMP officer for about five years, in varying roles. He later served as Tzeachten First Nation Chief for two terms, worked for tribal police, and was a park ranger for BC Parks for almost 20 years.
So what made him decide to become an RCMP officer all those years ago?
It was the impressive uniform, especially the red serge, that made him want to be an officer as a child, Kelly replied. The idea that he could really 91裸聊视频渉elp people91裸聊视频� right across Canada fuelled his dream of becoming a Mountie.
Kelly91裸聊视频檚 role as the 91裸聊视频渇irst91裸聊视频� was little known, until it came up recently when he was contacted through Facebook by some, including an RCMP inspector, who felt his achievement should receive some formal recognition.
The public is invited to join members of the RCMP Indigenous Policing Services, as well as Tzeachten First Nation, and Ts91裸聊视频檈lxw茅yeqw Tribe, friends and family for the special event to honour Kelly. The celebration is at Tzeachten Hall at 45855 Promontory Road on Wednesday, June 26, from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. RSVP by email to theungerz@outlook.com
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