Clyde River (Nov 15/04) - On Sept. 8, 1952, after Liberal cabinet minister C.D. Howe handed him a rifle, Peter Kuniliusie became a Canadian Ranger.

In the Cold War atmosphere of the early 1950s, the North represented another front for an enemy to attack. In response, the federal government armed Inuk men with rifles and ammunition left over from the Second World War.

Peter Kuniliusie wishes he could continue defending the North - photo courtesy of the Canadian Armed Forces

These men -- known as the Canadian Rangers -- were to defend the North through assisting regular army units and conducting local defense missions.

Peter was 22 when that government-issued rifle was placed in his hands, and the men who joined the Clyde River patrol along with him have now retired or passed away.

Famous red sweater

Now 74, Peter was one of the first men to wear the famous red sweater.

Six certificates now hang in the living room of his Clyde River home. A number of other medals -- which he has never taken time to count -- are kept in a suitcase.

On Nov. 3, around 40 Clyde River residents and more than 30 current members of Clyde River's Ranger patrol attended a retirement ceremony for Canada's longest-serving Ranger.

A fourth clasp on his Canadian Forces Declaration, which symbolizes 52 years of service, was given to Peter during the ceremony.

His words translated by his daughter Theresa Hainnu, Peter says he still wants to be a Ranger, but he realized it was time to go.

His legs aren't as strong as they used to be and he has to deal with breathing problems brought on through old age.

And he'll miss the hunting.

"When they were going out on the land for training, he really liked it when they had a day off and they would usually go hunting," Hainnu said for her father.

Very thankful

When asked what people should know about him, he hesitated.

After about 15 seconds, he said he would like people to know that despite his success he can not afford a Ski-Doo or Honda. And despite their inability to communicate with him, he wants people to know he is "very thankful to those Rangers from the south."

A lot has changed since he began his career more than a half-century ago; most importantly the Arctic climate.

"It's getting warmer, and the winds come very fast," he says.

Peter has been a Ranger for so long, that members of the Clyde River patrol do not know much about him.

"He doesn't say very much. He doesn't wave his flag. He's a quiet guy," said current patrol leader Levi Palituq. While Palituq has been involved with the Ranger program for about 10 years, he has never worked with Peter.

Born a six-hour snowmobile ride away from Clyde River in Isabella Bay, Peter is the father of eight children, five of whom are adopted. He also has 23 grandchildren, who all live in Clyde River.

He encourages youth to be involved in Junior Rangers.

Has faith in youth

"When they ask me about being a Ranger, I usually tell about the skills," he says.

Some people say with too much time spent watching television and eating junk food youth are losing traditional skills and Inuit knowledge.

Peter thinks the youth of the community are still strong and he has faith in them.