REGINA - For the first time ever, six Inuit youth got to see first-hand what it would be like to go through RCMP training at the national training facility in Regina.

Steven Taqtu from Arctic Bay tries a driving simulator during his week in Regina as part of the first RCMP Inuit Cultural Partnership. - photo courtesy of Cpl. Yvonne Niego

From Jan. 23-29, Diane Totalik from Taloyoak, Steven Taqtu from Arctic Bay, Nathan Kunilusie from Qikiqtarjuaq, Peter Ottokie, Colin Gunn Jr. and David Kullualik all from Iqaluit went to the RCMP Inuit Cultural Partnership along with Cpl.Yvonne Niego.

"I am proud of Nunavut youth and how well they can adjust outside of their usual surroundings and I hope to see many more interested in rewarding careers, such as mine," said Niego.

She went to "depot" as it is called almost 20 years ago and participated in many of the same activities.

Activities include drill class, learning police defensive tactics, physical fitness, how to prepare for the recruitment process and Gunn Jr.'s favourite -- the police driving track.

"We were going through pylons and the fastest we went was about 70 km/h," said the 18-year-old.

After riding in the passenger seat on the track, Gunn Jr. said he and the other youth got to try their hand at driving on a simulator.

He said he also now knows how to stay safe when trying to handcuff someone.

Gunn Jr. had the experience of working with the RCMP last spring during high school and he said he is considering it as a career choice. He is also looking at working as a pilot as he nearly has his private pilot's licence and could combine the two careers.

After her trip to depot, Totalik is still convinced she wants to be an RCMP.

"I like everything from what they do to how they help out the community," she said.

Totalik worked for the RCMP this past summer as part of their student program.

Her great-grandfather was the first Inuk special constable to work in Taloyoak and she said she wants to carry on what he did.

On the last night of the training, the youth had their rooms inspected. She said she was scared and had everything right except how many buttons she undid on a folded shirt placed on her bed.

Niego said the admission process to enrol as a cadet looking to enter the force is eight to 10 months long.

"Now I know what I'm getting myself into," said Totalik.

For Niego and the RCMP, allowing youth to go and see what it is like to work to be a member of the force helps them gauge the interest of young people in working with the organization in the future.

"All of our communities are asking for Inuktitut-speaking members," she said, adding "Our survival in the communities relies heavily on communication and our ability to provide quality policing services – we really need the language."

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