by Richard Gleeson
Northern News Services

NNSL (May 05/97) - Ten Keewatin hunters are now prepared to use their skills to lead newcomers to the North on adventures of a lifetime.

For most of March, the 10 were enrolled in Aurora College's guide training Level 2 course for big game hunting.

For student Jayko Kimmaliardjuk of Chesterfield Inlet, where the course was given, big game guiding is a logical choice.

"I love hunting," said Kimmaliardjuk. "I go out every day, but most of the time I don't come back with anything."

Each of the students in the course had completed the college's Level 1 guide training course.

Yvonne Aggark was the only woman in the group. She said Level 2 was less difficult in one way than Level 1, but harder in another.

She completed Level 1 in Rankin Inlet. "I had some ups and downs. I was homesick and it was a long three weeks without my son."

With Level 2 in her home community, homesickness was not a problem, but Aggark had a rough time during the cold days out on the land during Level 2.

She said she will be taking the course again in the fall.

The 28-day course normally includes 10 days in the field and the remainder in the classroom. This time around, however, blizzard conditions confined students to the classroom for all but four days.

During days on the land the thermometer dipped into the -30 C range, with winds as high as 30 km/h.

Instructor Wes Werbowy dealt with all aspects of guiding for big game, from booking clients to igloo building and outdoor cooking.

Approximately 500 people have taken the guide training program since it was introduced in 1981, said Melanie Grindlay, tourism program co-ordinator for the college.

Don't be surprised to see more Chesterfield Inlet women following Aggark's lead in future guide training courses.

"There are a lot of ladies asking me about the program," said Aggark.