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Eyes of the North Canadian Rangers return from fall exerciseDanielle Sachs Northern News Services Published Thursday, Oct. 4, 2012
"It's about 170 km north of here," said Desmond Rogers while waiting for the eight boats to return at the boat launch. "It's a two-and-a-half hour boat ride but the weather has been miserable." Rogers has been a Canadian Ranger for nine years, and stayed behind on this exercise to work the radio and stay in contact with the group. "We're the eyes of the North," he said. "The first day you set up camp, the second day is GPS and map training, the third is a traditional day and the fourth had target shooting scheduled." The major focus is sovereignty on the land, said Ranger instructor Sgt. Robin Dawatsare. "It's the most important thing we're doing and this is a very strong patrol," Dawatsare said. Sgt. Hank Rogers said the trip was successful, if a little cold. "It was raining but we spent time out there, hunting, fishing, map reading and chainsaw safety," Hank said. During part of the training, the group of 17 played a version of hide and seek, with boats. "You would drive out a couple of boats and as training you would have to find them," said Hank. He said it was impossible to play with him. "I don't know GPS but I know the land," said Hank. The Inuvik Rangers also complete a once a year 10-day program, on top of two seasonal exercises like the one that wrapped up Monday. The diversity of skills in the Inuvik group is what leads to their strength, said Dawatsare. "This is one of the best groups in the High Arctic," he said. "There's a lot of knowledge and diversity between the Gwich'in and the Inuvialuit." Ernie Dillon said the exercise was good except for the weather, and they encountered frost on the way back. This was the last exercise held before the Canadian Ranger's award banquet scheduled for Thursday. "That's where awards are handed out for things like target shooting and mapping and GPS skills," said Dawatsare.
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