Rankin Inlet (Dec 24/03) - The Rankin Inlet Patrol of the Canadian Rangers held a special ceremony recently to welcome 13 new members into its ranks.

A large gathering of friends and family members came together at the community hall to watch the official swearing-in of the new Rangers, one of the largest growth spurts in recent years for the Rankin Patrol.

Joining the Rankin Patrol are Ambrose Karlik, Frank Russell, Mark Ronald, Ishmeal Naulalik, Sam Ayaruak, Eric Nukapiak, Arsene Karlik, Raymond Mercer Jr. and Herbert Scherer.

Also sworn in were the patrol's first female members, Lucy Makkigak, Nellie Ussak, Mary Ann Hapanak and Lydia Tatty.

There were also two special presentations made by honoured guest Rose Tootoo.

Elder Jack Kabvitok received the Queen's Jubilee Medal for his many years spent with the Canadian Rangers.

Elder Ollie Ittinuar was honoured for his years of service, and for being the oldest-serving member in Canada, at a youthful 82 years of age.

Ranger Sgt. Albert Kimaliakyuk said a group of senior patrol members led the new Rangers out onto the land for training this past month.

The patrol was accompanied by Maj. Stu Gibson (commanding officer of the 1 Canadian Ranger Patrol Group) and Ranger instructor Sgt. Ken Sallazzo of Yellowknife.

"We spent about 10 days on the land near Corbett Inlet," said Kimaliakyuk.

"The purpose of the patrol was to train the new recruits on how to build a proper shelter, administer first aid and use search-and-rescue techniques.

"They also learned how to make a landing strip for both airplanes and helicopters, as well as spending some time on the shooting range."

The new recruits quickly became adept at constructing an iglu for shelter and warmth on the land.

Some slept in a tent

While most of the Rangers on the training exercise opted to sleep in an iglu, some decided a tent was more to their liking.

Kimaliakyuk said each mode of shelter had its own distinct advantage on the exercise.

"The ones who slept in the iglu were a lot warmer, but the people in tents had a lot more room."