Our major point of interest for today was the RCMP Heritage Centre located at Depot Division in Regina, where all new RCMP recruits get their basic training.
After a warm welcome from the mascots we learned a great deal of the history and current day work of the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police).
Our journey of learning started with a short video showing the 6 month training that new recruits go through. It involves lots of physical and mental challenges, even including getting pepper sprayed and having to continue fighting.
The RCMP began as the North-West Mounted Police, created by an Act of Parliament in 1873, to establish friendly relations with the indigenous peoples, enforce Canadian authority, pave the way for settlers and maintain law and order on the frontier.The original NWMP was 300 men strong.
When the Klondike Gold Rush began, thousands of would-be prospectors rushed to the Yukon and Alaska and the NWMP was there to keep the peace.
In 1940, the 32 metre RCMP vessel St. Roch was the first ship to navigate the ice-choked seas of the North-West Passage from west to east.
In 2004, the RCMP issued an apology to the Indigenous community for their involvement in the Residential School system.
A great exhibit highlighted the technologies, techniques and knowledge used to solve crimes. The great thing was that we didn’t just see information panels and images, but actively applied the our newly acquired investigative techniques to “solve” a crime. This was really exciting!
It was fascinating to learn of the various anti-counterfeiting measures used in modern day bills.
The next engaging RCMP member was a beautiful female shepherd who had successfully completed her training. Her handler showed the discipline, obedience and focus of this well trained dog and her amazing ability to catch balls while remaining on her ottoman.
Time for some nature, preferably with a lake and we found that at Fort Qu’Appelle. When we arrived at our waterfront site, it was very windy and the waves looked almost like ocean waves. The wind settled down as evening approached and we had a lovely sunset.
Fort Qu’Appelle was a Hudson’s Bay Company outpost in 1897 and the building still stands today.
