Cindy MacDougall
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Jan 10/00) - He came with praise for their hard work, small gifts for their leaders and an open ear for their concerns.

The commander of the North's military took some time away from the Y2K hoopla last week to visit several Canadian Ranger patrols in small communities around the NWT.

Colonel Pierre LeBlanc met with Rangers in Wha Ti, Gameti (Rae Lakes) and Wekweti (Snare Lake) Jan. 2 to discuss their needs and concerns.

"It's recognized in the government as well as the armed forces that the Canadian Rangers provide an important service in protecting Canada's sovereignty, especially in the North," LeBlanc said during a meeting with about 10 rangers in Wha Ti.

He heard that the patrols need more support - equipment and funds for training - to continue their role in the north.

Ranger Charlie Jeremick'ea said the growing Wha Ti patrol more equipment for its more than 30 members.

"We work really well together, but we need more supplies," he said. "What we have here is not enough. Some members don't have parkas or windpants."

Jonas Nitsiza, a Ranger for 27 years, said more training time for young members is essential.

"We older Rangers have a lot of experience in the bush and on the land," Nitsiza said. "We need to pass it on to our young. The new guys will one day take over."

LeBlanc said he appreciates their concerns and will bring them to his superiors.

A new program to equip full-time soldiers with new parkas will leave lots of old but good parkas available.

"We have requested that the old parkas not be sold to the civilian market but (be) given to the rangers," LeBlanc said.

LeBlanc said the Ranger request for more training beyond their annual 10-day training session is a matter of finding the funding.

"Because of the expense, we can only do one exercise per patrol per year," he said. "We have 58 patrols and it costs $25,000 to run an exercise, including pay."

LeBlanc said the forces are looking into more training days for the rangers.

The 1999 budget for the northern Canadian Ranger program was $2.5 million. This includes pay, patrolling and training costs for the 1,301 Rangers in all three territories. A Ranger makes between $70 and $108 on active duty days.

Junior Patrol sought

The Gameti patrol is trying to start a Junior Ranger Patrol program to give youths in the community a fun activity.

"In past years, too many of our young people were involved in break and enters," said Ranger Sgt. Frank Arrowmaker. "With the junior rangers, the youth could get involved and have responsibilities."

LeBlanc said support for the junior rangers is growing in the forces, with 34 junior patrols authorized for the next two years.

"The key thing for junior rangers is community support," said LeBlanc, who also urged Arrowmaker to contact Western Arctic MP Ethel Blondin-Andrew so she can lobby for funding to expand the program.

"She can talk to my minister (of defence) more easily than I can, because of her cabinet position (as secretary of state for youth)," he said.