'They're the knowledge keepers'
Honorary lieutenant colonel dives into untold history as Exercise Dene Ranger takes over Yk Bay
Evan Kiyoshi French
Northern News Services
Wednesday, March 2, 2016
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Previously untold stories of the 1 Canadian Ranger Patrol Group are now out there, thanks to a body of historical writing produced by an honorary lieutenant colonel.
Historian Whitney Lackenbauer was bestowed the designation in 2014 to recognize his unique work telling 70 years of ranger history. He was one of 130 rangers from 10 communities around Great Slave Lake to take part in Exercise Dene Ranger in Yellowknife last week, under the command of Maj. Craig Volstad.
"We have never documented our history," said Volstad, standing on frozen Yellowknife Bay.
"It wasn't until our honorary lieutenant colonel came along ... and took the time and said, 'Hey, these people are amazing and make amazing contributions to Canada.' So he's an invaluable asset to the organization. It's been awesome, him being here, as he's documenting our history going forward."
Lackenbauer - who lives in Otterville, Ont. - said he's been obsessed with the rangers for about 20 years.
"It was sheer fascination," he said.
"I see the Canadian Rangers as such a wonderful success story of partnerships. I'm drawn to it because you hear a lot of stories about friction and this to me is one of the great success stories that we have as a country."
Lackenbauer's works include Vigilans: A History of 1 Canadian Ranger Patrol Group, The Canadian Rangers: A Living History and Canada's Rangers: Selected Stories, 1942 - 2012 covers the operational history of the rangers - something he said he was surprised no one else was researching when he began.
"I've been pleased that in the last decade-and-a-half there's been a lot more interest in what the rangers do, but I still think there's an opportunity to better understand the roles in the communities," he said.
Ernest Lockhart, a Lutsel K'e ranger, joined the force in 1996.
He said the group serves an important purpose in marking GPS co-ordinates on routine patrols.
"Around the communities, the people know their way around, but for the outsiders from Yellowknife, if they want to go down the East Arm, now they've got the co-ordinates," said Lockhart.
Lockhart said being a ranger is exciting and has been a positive influence in his life.
"I stay away from trouble now that I've been a ranger," he said.
Lackenbauer said hanging out with rangers has afforded him unique opportunities to meet new faces.
In addition to sifting through stacks of ranger-related documents, Lackenbauer said he's joined exercises from "coast to coast to coast."
Lackenbauer said historical writing can counter misconceptions about the group.
"They're not the thin red line with their .303 Enfields (rifles), fighting off the Russians or anything like that," he said.
"First of all, I mean all the military documents are pretty clear that it's very unlikely that we're going to face a challenge to our North or to our sovereignty. Instead, they're the vital support. They're the guides, the knowledge keepers who can make sure when forces come up (from further south), they operate safely. And I think one of the stories known well in the North but not known broadly is the role the rangers play in the North as first-responders."
Volstad, who hails from southern Alberta, is responsible for rangers in all three territories and in one community in northern B.C. He said working with unique people and in unique areas are the perks of his job.
"You meet pretty amazing individuals. I can tell you, it's definitely been the highlight of my life."
Volstad commands 1,800 Canadian rangers in 60 patrols across the North, which covers 40 per cent of the country's land mass.
