TIMMINS – Growing up in Attawapiskat First Nation, Nigel Nakogee spent much of his time outdoors.
Hunting geese and moose, snaring rabbits, and camping were regular parts of life.
“I’m a bit of a hunter,” he told TimminsToday. “I hunted a lot growing up. Pretty much camped during my teenage years.”
Those early experiences on the land eventually helped shape his path into the military.
Nakogee, now 24, serves as an infanteer with the Algonquin Regiment in Timmins. In November, he returned from a six-month deployment in Latvia as part of Rotation 2502.
He left in June and returned home in November.
While the six months felt long at times, the experience was rewarding.
“In the moment, it felt really long, but it was nice,” he said. “Being away from family is definitely a challenge, but my girlfriend supported me.”
During the deployment, Nakogee helped manage equipment and tools for his unit.
“It was pretty much like a nine-to-five,” he said. “Managing tools, making sure mechanics had what they needed.”
There were also regular physical training sessions and opportunities to build relationships with fellow soldiers, Nakogee said.
His interest in the military began long before heading overseas.
Nakogee said the idea of joining the military first crossed his mind while he was still in high school.
“I think it was Grade 9 when the idea popped in my head,” he said. “By the time I started Grade 11, that’s when I really started looking into how to join and what would interest me.”
His parents were familiar with military life. Both are members of the Canadian Rangers, a reserve component that operates in remote and northern communities.
“They would talk about the military a lot, especially my dad,” Nakogee said. “He was pretty excited when I told him I was planning to join. My mom was a bit worried, but she supported me nonetheless.”
Nakogee enlisted at 21.
After joining, Nakogee went through the process of paperwork, assessments and training.
“It was a bit slow at first, but once the paperwork started going it moved pretty quick,” he said.
He later took part in the Black Bear program. Run out of Oromocto, N.B., it’s an Indigenous-focused initiative run by the Canadian Army that provides training and cultural connection opportunities for Indigenous participants from across Canada.
Nakogee also completed basic training in New Brunswick before taking an infantry course in Petawawa and eventually transferring to Timmins.
He said choosing the infantry felt natural.
“It just seemed more exciting to me,” he said. “It had all the natural aspects I was used to — being outside, being active and working in the cold.”
Infantry soldiers form the core of the Canadian Army’s combat units and typically train and operate outdoors in field conditions.
Cultural sharing
One moment that stood out during the Latvia deployment was when Nakogee led a traditional smudging ceremony for his peers.
He said the support from other members of the unit meant a lot.
“It was nice to have that support and positive feedback from my peers,” he said. “They were very curious and interested.”
Despite the opportunities the military has provided, Nakogee said being away from home is one of the hardest parts, especially being away from his three-year-old daughter.
“There were steps that I missed while being overseas,” he said. “She’s starting to speak more directly and learning songs.”
Over time, however, he said he adjusted to being away.
“I think it took about a month before I got used to everything,” he said.
When he returns home, Nakogee also spends time working with the Junior Canadian Rangers in Attawapiskat.
“They’re very interested in what my day-to-day looks like and what courses are available,” Nakogee said.
For Nakogee, one of the most rewarding parts of his military career has been the relationships he’s built.
“Meeting people and the experiences along the way,” he said.
He hopes his journey encourages other Indigenous youth to consider the opportunities available within the military.
“There’s a lot to do within the military,” he said. “If they have something they want to do, they should look into it and not hesitate.”
Looking ahead, Nakogee hopes to take on leadership roles and support Indigenous initiatives within the Canadian Armed Forces.
While he would deploy again in the future, he’s not rushing back overseas just yet.
“I definitely enjoy my time staying home,” he said.
