I'm from the Alderville First Nation. It's a lovely little community along the shores of Rice Lake, Ontario, just about an hour east of Toronto. Yes, in my case I would say it was a calling. I'm not sure if everyone would feel the same way.
My father is a retired member of the Ontario Provincial Police. He's been retired for 20 years, and he was one of our first first nation officers in the OPP to work for his 30 years. It certainly had a big impact on me growing up. We moved a few times throughout the province, but he spoke an awful lot about his years growing up on the reserve, and lots about family, lots about lessons, and history also.
For sure I would say it was a calling, yes. As a matter of fact, my sister felt the same way, and she's also an officer with the OPP.