NUNAVUT - Four Nunavummiut were part of a group of 30 recruits from across the three territories who attended Canadian Ranger basic training at the Boyle Barracks in Whitehorse Feb. 4 to 9.

photo courtesy of Capt. Steve Watton Canadian Ranger Joseph Dialla of Pangnirtung looks through his binoculars during basic recruit training held in Whitehorse Feb. 4 to 9.

Rita Nakashook of Pangnirtung, Joseph Dialla of Pangnirtung, Rene Kukkuvak of Kugaaruk and Simon Apak of Clyde River now join approximately 765 Canadian Rangers in the 25 patrol groups across the territory.

Nakashook, 21, said her parents are very proud of her and her accomplishment. She had been a Junior Ranger for six years.

"It takes a good person to be a Ranger," she said.

Capt. Steve Watton, unit information officer for the First Canadian Ranger Patrol Group, said the four learned how to carry out different types of patrols, including regular patrol training, mass Ranger exercises and sovereignty patrols.

"A Ranger must have a sound knowledge of the land, be a Canadian citizen, be able to adapt and survive on the land and familiarity with the terrain," said Watton. "By doing the course it gives them the knowledge to go out on patrols."

The rangers did navigation exercises using maps and compasses. In addition, they had the opportunity to work with GPS units.

"It was the first time I had used one," said Nakashook.

She said that after the first couple of tries, she got used to using the device.

Developing their land skills, setting up emergency shelters called lean-tos, demonstrating their search and rescue skills, marksmanship training using rifles, as well as learning about the military were other activities the Rangers took part in.

Apak, 24, said he took away a lot from the training especially the first aid skills including how to do CPR. He said he now knows what to do if someone has a heart attack or needs a splint. Apak is also a firefighter in Clyde River so he said the skills he learned will be useful in the community.

Nakashook, Kukkuvak and Apak all said they enjoyed the training, had fun and made new friends and that they look forward to further training in the future.