Army Run is Canada’s run, says Indigenous ambassador

By Steven Fouchard, Army Public Affairs

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan — For Chief Warrant Officer Joel Pedersen, Sergeant Major of the 38 Canadian Brigade Group Battle School and the Indigenous Advisor to the Brigade Commander, the Canada Army Run (CAR) half-marathon is nothing new. In fact, CAR 2019 will be his fourth time participating. What is new is the title he will carry at this year's event: Indigenous Ambassador.

A few weeks before the 2019 run, which takes place September 22, CWO Pedersen (who will serve as co-Ambassador along with Corporal William Ross from 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry), spoke with Canadian Army Public Affairs.

In addition to all things CAR, he discussed what it means to have been the first person from a First Nations Community (Fond du Lac, Saskatchewan) to attain the position of Regimental Sergeant Major of an infantry unit, and the many opportunities that come with being in the Army Reserve.

The following interview has been edited for clarity and length.

Q1: You've been a marathoner for some time. What drew you to running?

I've enjoyed fitness training, sports and running ever since I was a kid. Running has helped me set goals like completing carrier courses and specialty courses like the jump course and mountain operations, or running the New York Marathon. 

Now it's a part of my lifestyle, and I try to share that with others of all ages and abilities.

Being in the Army we run – it's part of what we do,…