Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services

Kimmirut (July 15/02) - After a 14-year hiatus, two ships from the Canadian navy will sail into Nunavut waters this summer.

The HMCS Summerside and the HMCS Goose Bay are scheduled to arrive in Iqaluit July 31. On Aug. 1, one of the two vessels will sail to Kimmirut.

The point of the mission, according to navy public affairs officer Lt.-Cmdr. Denise Laviolette, is to reassert a presence in Northern waters.

"Our last trip to the North was over 14 years ago. That's the last time a Canadian vessel was up there," said Laviolette.

"We like to have a presence in all three of our oceans," she said.

The deployment also provides training opportunities for some 40 to 45 sailors aboard each ship and gives the navy a chance to do a little public relations work.

"This time, it happens that they're going North. It's about time we got back up there," said Laviolette.

While in Kimmirut and Iqaluit, Nunavummiut will have the opportunity to tour the maritime coastal defence vessels.

Final schedules for tours should be available this week, Laviolette said.

And, should the ship or a career in the navy spark the interest of residents, an officer will be on hand to answer questions about life at sea.

"We have a First Nations' member who will be on hand to answer questions about aboriginal people and the navy. Recruitment isn't our primary goal, but if anybody is interested, we will have someone who can provide information," said Laviolette.

The naval officers will also take part in a training exercise on Resolution Island with Canadian Rangers from the two communities.

The visit also gives those aboard the ships a chance to take part in activities in Kimmirut and Iqaluit.

Kyra Fisher, the economic development manager for the hamlet of Kimmirut, said her community was in the process of making plans for the visit. Navy officials visited Kimmirut earlier this month to scope out possible activities.

"We're really looking forward to them coming," said Fisher.

"We've organized activities for them. Some of the crew might want to go fishing or hiking or out on ATVs. We'll also have a tent set up close to the visitor's centre with a seal-skinning demonstration, bannock making, country food and drum dancing," she said.

Kimmirut's hunters and trappers organization has also organized a traditional dinner for navy brass aboard the vessels.