New cadet season launches in Rankin
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Monday, September 28, 2015
RANKIN INLET
Another busy season got underway for the 3019 Rankin Inlet Cadet Corps earlier this month.
3019 Rankin Inlet Cadet Corps elder Ivasaaq Issaluk enjoys the company of Gov. Gen. David Johnston in Whitehorse, Yukon, this past summer. Issaluk and Violet Twyee have returned as the 3019 Corps elders for the upcoming cadet season in Rankin. - photo courtesy of Dorothy Tootoo |
The year's registration drive saw about the same number of youths in the program as during the past season, with 38 registered and five more showing interest who are about to turn 12 years of age in October.
Corps Commander 2nd Lieut. Dorothy Tootoo said there is a fresh wave of kids new to the cadet program coming aboard this year.
She said the new season is getting underway on a very positive note with a major award winner being announced in Rankin.
"Cadet Warrant Officer Tatonya (Nin) Autut has been named the recipient of the Major General Howard Award," said Tootoo.
"It's an overall award of excellence that recognizes her high level of performance in training, courses, being a good leader and an active member of the community.
"It would be nice if Nunavut Commissioner Nellie Kusugak is home for Thanksgiving or anytime soon, so we can have a bit of a special event to acknowledge Warrant Officer Autut winning the award."
Tootoo hopes more volunteer instructors step forward this season, with former top cadet Senna Oolooyuk moving on to the Royal Military College in Kingston, Ont., this year.
She said civilian instructor Ben Porter is expected to return, as are corps elders Violet Twyee and Ivasaaq Issaluk.
"Rhonda Aliyak, who is 18, has signed up to become a Cadet Instructors Cadre and that would be a huge boost to the corps if it happens.
"I asked Mrs. Twyee if she wanted to come back as a corps elder again this year, because I thought it would probably be too soon after we just buried her husband.
"But, God bless her, she told me even as sad as everything is, she just wants to be around where people are happy again and she came out.
"We're really looking forward to celebrating Nin's award with her because it's such a major accomplishment, and she's the first cadet ever to win the award in Rankin.
"She's in her fourth year with the program and will complete her gold star qualifications this year."
