Base Commander Captain Mike Williamson, Your Worship Chris Clement, Chief Robert Sam of the Songhees First Nation, Honoured Elders and Hereditary Chiefs, Chief Warrant Officer Lewis, Members of Canada's Armed Forces and Raven Platoon, proud parents, families and friends:

I acknowledge with respect the Songhees and Esquimalt Peoples of the Coast Salish First Nation in whose traditional territories this proud ceremony takes place. Il est pour mois un honneur de vous souhaitez personellement mes sentiments sincere audjourdui. Today we salute the young men and women ranged before us, who have completed their training in the Maritime Forces Pacific Raven Programme. The object of this Programme is to assist a select group of First Nations and Aboriginal Youth from across British Columbia to realize your own strengths and leadership abilities. By being part of this important Team and in this graduation ceremony today, you are announcing to your family and friends that you can take on a difficult task, stick with it, see it through and take from it all that is best to add to your own life and future.

Today's Canada boasts people from every human beginning, but First Nations and Aboriginal Peoples have the longest heritage on these precious lands that we now all share. As representatives of the most ancient culture in this society of many cultures, you have roots that go deep into this land, giving you gifts that you bring to the whole community that can never be underestimated. As a people with many distinctive governance processes, arts, music, dance, ritual and spiritual beliefs that are close to the natural world, you will note that the longer we all live together, the more like this land we all become. For instance, we have all come to know First Nation legends and creation stories surrounding among others Eagle, Bear, Orca and Raven. By naming this Platoon for Raven, it signifies that addition to the hard work of achieving self-discipline, growing in confidence and making improvements in your personal physical fitness, you have also had some time to make new friends and perhaps even to enjoy a few Raven-inspired tricks and fun!

Canadian history is filled examples of First Nations and Aboriginal heroes, including warriors like Tecumseh or The Six Nations Chief Joseph Brant. During World War One, the most decorated First Nations Canadian Soldier was Francis Pegahmagabow of Parry Sound Ontario who distinguished himself and survived that terrible war. 'Peggy' as his comrades called him, returned to Canada with a still unbroken record as a Sniper and during the 1940's was one of the founders of the precursor Organization to today's Assembly of First Nations. In World War Two and later in Korea, Sergeant Tommy Prince was Canada's most decorated soldier. His name became synonymous with honours that you can see proudly displayed in military museums here in British Columbia and at the National War Museum in Ottawa.

Although Raven experience could lead you to a career in the military, that is not its purpose. In this time when our thoughts and prayers are with our troops serving Canada particularly on the Afghanistan Mission, but also in Dafur, the Sudan, in Haiti, the Congo and elsewhere, we remember previous conflicts where Canada played a respected international role. We remember all the Aboriginal and First Nations Veterans, finally recognized for their service to this country, who were approximately the same age you are today when they offered themselves to serve Canada. We offer them our respect and gratitude for their gallantry and courage and for helping to secure a Peace that lasted for more than half a century.

As Raven Grads you are encouraged to continue testing yourself and using your new skills to achieve your own best dreams and hopes. Raven Platoon has offered you a whole new world of possibilities to examine, to experience and to experiment with, until you find your own highest level of achievement. I urge you to use this time of training that you have undergone as a springboard to realization your own very best self! We pay special tribute today to Canada's Pacific Navy, led by Rear Admiral Roger Girourard and the Officers, members, training and support staff who have secured and led in your training. We salute your parents and families for their support of your dedication to this period of personal growth. We congratulate each one of you, for sticking with your training even when the 'going got tough' and for learning new skills and for working hard to find your own special strengths that you have always had, but that you now KNOW for certain you can rely on throughout your life.

Being a first-class Cadet in Raven Platoon is great preparation for life! This is an important day in your lives and one that I believe you will remember all your days. Happy Graduation! May your future be filled with honour and dignity and always with some of the well-earned freedom and flight of the RAVEN! Congratulations one and all!