SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - A number of Junior Canadian Rangers from Nunavut spent two weeks at the first advanced enhanced training camp from July 12 to 23 in Yellowknife learning skills to take back and share with their patrols.

Junior Ranger Joe Utye from the Kimmirut Junior Ranger Patrol watches Canadian Ranger Gabriel Lafferty as he shows the proper techniques to sharpen a chain saw. - photo courtesy of Capt. Steve Watton

"I liked it because I got to meet new friends," said Joe Utye from Kimmirut.

He was one of 22 Junior Rangers between the ages of 16 and 18 from the NWT, Yukon, Nunavut and Atlin, B.C., to attend the camp, taking part in several training courses including certification for operating ATVs, boats and firearms.

Utye said he enjoyed the ATV course as he got to learn how to do sharp turns safely and gained a better understanding of how to read the land.

For Daniel Flaherty from Grise Fiord, the ATV course proved to be the most challenging. He said it was difficult to learn how to stop quickly in an emergency, which he said is not something he has had to do in his community.

He said he also enjoyed the firearms safety training as he got to shoot a .303 rifle which he knew how to use after going polar bear hunting.

The Junior Canadian Rangers spent four days from July 17 to 20 at the Bull Moose training site where they learned about navigation and first aid.

Utye, a Junior Ranger for the past four years, said he learned how to tie knots when they went camping.

"It is a skill I can use for the rest of my life," he said.

He said he also got to practise using a GPS which he said will come in handy when he and fellow Junior Rangers in Kimmirut are out on the land.

The Junior Rangers who attended were chosen by adult committee members from their home communities.

Gjoa Haven sent two - Jordan Aglukkaq and Julie Mariq - to the training.

Aglukkaq said he learned a lot about good safety practices including how people should wear helmets on ATVs when they are using them, that it is important to wear life-jackets in boats, and to wear ear plugs when using firearms.

"I'll pass it on to my niece, nephews, brothers and sisters. How to be safe and what not to do," he said of the training exercises.

Mariq also said she will pass on what she learned to her family and friends. This was her first trip to Yellowknife and she said while she had a good time she missed her father and was looking forward to going home on July 23.

She said she hopes the leadership skills she learned will help her reach her goal of becoming a pilot.

We welcome your opinions. Click to e-mail a letter to the editor.