RANKIN INLET/NUNAVUT - Nunavut put in a strong showing at the National Aboriginal Firefighting Competition at Listuguj, Que., this past month.

The Nunavut squad placed fourth in the eightteam competition, which was won by Team Saskatchewan.

Volunteer firefighters Samson Amarudjuak and Roger Aksadjuak, right, of Rankin Inlet work on breathing apparatus during a training exercise in Rankin this past month. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

The finish marked a onespot improvement for Nunavut, which finished in fifth place at the 2008 event.

Representing Nunavut at the national competition were Samson Amarudjuak and Johnny Karlik of Rankin Inlet, Sandy Natseck and Jerry Nuluk of Repulse Bay, James Sangoya of Clyde River and Iqaluk Toonoo of Cape Dorset.

Amarudjuak was appearing at his second national competition, having also represented Nunavut at the 2008 event at Prince Albert, Saskatchewan.

He said the event is always a lot of fun to compete in, and he enjoys meeting other aboriginal volunteer firefighters from around the country.

"Almost all of the firefighters who go to this competition are very, very friendly," said Amarudjuak.

"We won the Most Sportsmanlike Team trophy during my first competition in Prince Albert and we came close again this year.

"I was more relaxed at this year's competition because it was my second time and I had a better idea of what to expect.

"I'm definitely going to try and be picked for Team Nunavut in 2010."

Amarudjuak said even though the other teams get to practice a lot more together than the Nunavut firefighters, he can still see the day when a Nunavut entry will claim the national crown.

He said no matter where the team finishes, just being involved in the process makes the Nunavut volunteers better firefighters.

"We'd like to be able to train together longer, but we know how expensive it is to bring us all together.

"We did have really good teamwork againthis year, though.

"The teamwork is the same as when we answer a fire call: everybody talks to each other so we all know whose going to be in gear and what job we're all doing.

"Communication is very important at the national competition, and when we're fighting real fires, because we all have to be on the same page to do our jobs well and safely."