Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services

IQALUIT (May 24/99) - By joining the Junior Canadian Rangers, Grise Fiord's P.J. Akeeagok opened a window to his future.

At 14 years of age, the student of Ummimak School said he planned to use the skills he will learn over the next few months to get himself one step closer to a career in the military.

"I feel pretty good because I want to go to the army after I finish school. I will be more experienced now than I would have been if I didn't go (to Junior Rangers)," said Akeeagok.

The idea of travel and excitement is what originally attracted him to the military and he said the drills and the land skills he will pick up as a Junior Ranger, including how to safely and properly use and handle firearms, will bring him closer to realizing his goal.

Akeeagok's 17-year-old colleague Andrew Nungaq has similar aspirations for his own life.

"It feels really good because you get to be around people and meet other Rangers. Plus, I'm going to be 18 soon so I'll be able to join the Rangers," said Nungaq.

He said he was happy when the Junior Ranger program finally got off the ground in the first week of March because not only did it give him the opportunity to try something new, but he now had the opportunity to further develop his land skills.

"I'm going to get more knowledge," said Nungaq.

Because of the way the Department of National Defence has structured the Junior Ranger program, ownership of it is shared with the local hamlet. Each community has the ability to tailor the activities to specifically meet the needs of participants.

"If the community has concerns that the local youth are losing their language, they can address that issue. If land skills are thought to be fading, they can be taken out and taught to build a qamutiq, set a trapline or set nets under the ice," said Warrant Officer Chuck Bachmanek.

Bachmanek is the DND employee responsible for going into the community and setting up the program with Grise Fiord resident and Ranger Sgt. Jimmy Qappik.

Even though the program is still getting on its feet, Mayor Leah Kalluk and her hamlet council have wholeheartedly thrown their support behind it and community members are already making suggestions on projects that will see the Junior Rangers receive training in the three necessary areas: Ranger skills, traditional skills and life skills.

"It's good for everybody in town. The Junior Rangers help with the community and the community helps with the Junior Rangers. It works both ways," said Qappik, who as the Ranger sergeant in the hamlet, guides the activities of the senior troop as well.

He added that the program also helped develop a strong sense of self-esteem and pride in the Junior Rangers.

"It keeps them out of trouble and gives them stuff to do. They're really proud of themselves now that they're somebody in town. You can see it in their eyes. They just brightened up and opened more. They're smiling and it shows in their faces. They're happy to be a part of it," said Qappik.

For Jimmy Nungaq, 14, even though it makes him feel good, the whole experience can be downright embarrassing at times.

"I had to go to Iqaluit for the Nunavut celebration and hold the flag on the stage. It was embarrassing and tiring standing up there," said Nungaq.

Junior Ranger Master Cpl. Russell Attagootak, 12, also admitted to feeling a little red in the face when he had to pursue his duties as second in command.

"It's kind of embarrassing because I've got to shout at them."

But it's all that yelling that makes it fun for the top Junior Ranger.

"It's exciting. You get to stand around and yell at them. That's my favourite part. You get to discipline people and learn to be really responsible and strict," said Alex Flaherty, 16.

For one of just a few of the females to join the civic-minded organization, the whole thing is taking a bit of time to get used to for 13-year-old April Akeeagok.

"I was kind of shy because almost all of them were boys," said Akeeagok.