In 1989, Monique Cooper represented the Northwest Territories as part of its volleyball team for the Canada Summer Games in Saskatoon.

More than 17 years later, the now-Saskatchewan-based RCMP constable is back at the Games, scouting out prospective officers to join the national police force.

'It's fantastic. It's really inspiring,' Cooper said in an interview Friday afternoon of being at the first Games to be held North of 60. She spoke at the Elijah Smith Building, where she was on hand to speak to prospective officers.

Cooper, originally from Yellowknife, said it was largely through the Canada Games, and perhaps as well as the Arctic Winter Games she attended in 1988, that she realized it doesn't matter whether someone came from a small town or what was seen as a remote location their goals could be achieved.

'I'm by no means a tremendous athlete,' she said with a smile.

The experience of going Outside and representing her territory at a national event, however, translated into a career in the RCMP, she said.

The Canada Games alumni was especially pleased to see the Inuit and Dene Games included as a spectator sport in the current Games. It's great to see it get national exposure, she added.

'I felt like I was home,' she said, recalling the same competitions being held as part of the Arctic Winter Games.

She's also run into a few people she knew in Yellowknife.

Cooper normally works as an aboriginal recruitment officer and noted there have been a lot of first nation athletes approaching her booth.

In the RCMP, she explained, it's important that the members reflect the population across Canada.

As a Metis, she tries to carry that message with value, showing first nations they can carry on the traditional roles of warriors and peacekeepers in different ways like being an officer.

'I'm very proud of our country,' Cooper commented, adding that in a lot of ways, the RCMP are similar to a team.

Over the last two years, the RCMP have become more focused on recruiting new members to the force.

At the Canada Games, members like Cooper from across the country have been stationed at places like the Elijah Smith Building and the Canada Games Centre to talk to potential candidates for the jobs.

While many athletes are under the RCMP age restriction of 19 and over, Cooper noted it's an opportunity to let the athletes know a career in the RCMP may be an option as they move into making career choices.

She pointed out that athletes such as those at the Games are already usually making good lifestyle choices.

Cooper's also letting those who come by the booth that there are other job opportunities with the RCMP outside of becoming an officer.

In many cases at the Games, athletes, spectators and others are approaching the RCMP recruitment booth in the hopes of doing some pin trading with Cooper and the other officers. In other cases, they approach the officers to share tales of their experiences with RCMP officers.

Still, there's some who want to get the facts and find out what it takes to become an officer, Cooper said.

Before joining the force, Cooper was a teacher, but being an officer was something that was always at the back of her mind, she said.

She volunteered as an auxiliary officer, but it was only at the encouragement of her brother and a good friend that she decided to apply.

While she had her own doubts about being accepted, her friend and brother told her that she would never know until she decided to go for it.

When she finally did, she was accepted, she said.

In the end though, Cooper said, she's happy to meet all who approach her and is working to provide accurate information to the public.

If only one person walks away with the information and decides to apply, it will be worth it, Cooper said. Years down the road, she expects the RCMP's presence at events like the Canada Games will yield results for the national police force.

Cooper isn't the only officer who's gone to the Games. Canada Games participants serving in the Yukon include a 1975 hockey player, a 1993 sprint runner, a 2001 pole vaulter, a 1997 cyclist and a biathlete who competed in both the 1995 and 1999 Games.

After the Games end, the Yukon's M division will continue the RCMP recruitment drive in the territory with an information session for prospective members at 7:30 p.m. March 14 in room T1023 at Yukon College.

Basic qualifications, requirements and the application process will be outlined. There will also be a question and answer session.