Rankin Inlet (Nov 24/04) - The Rankin Inlet Patrol of the Canadian Rangers welcomed nine new recruits earlier this month.

Rankin patrol member Albert Kimaliakyuk says the Rangers spent four days on the land learning and practising traditional skills and survival techniques, as well as taking part in a number of military training exercises.

The camp was located at Makmanuon Lake, about 50 miles northwest of Rankin.

A total of 28 Rangers took part in the annual exercise, as well as Yellowknife-based instructors Dan Ring and Mike Wideman.

Kimaliakyuk says the ice was too hard for traditional iglu building, so the Rangers had to construct snow iglu half-buildings and cover them with tent canvass.

He says in addition to building the fall shelters, the Rangers also honed their skills on the firing range, hunted caribou, set fishing nets and constructed a runway.

Sebastien Curley took the award for being the patrol's top marksperson.

"The new recruits worked hard during the exercise cutting snow blocks and putting out fish nets," says Kimaliakyuk.

"They really enjoyed their time out there and learned quite a few survival skills from the elders."

The Rankin patrol has two female members, Nellie Ussak and Lydia Tatty.

A third female member, Mary Ann Hapanak, has moved to Whale Cove.

Kimaliakyuk says this year's exercise even had its own tall fish tale.

"Mike (Wideman) really enjoyed his time on the land with us, but things worked out kind of funny.

"He kept talking about how much he loved fishing and how he always catches something every time he goes.

"This trip, he was the only person out there who didn't catch a fish.

"We nicknamed him the real fisherman."

Proud families

Once the patrol returned to Rankin, an official ceremony was held at the FOL site to formerly induct the new recruits into the ranks.

Kimaliakyuk says the event was well attended by friends and family members of the new recruits.

"You can see how proud the family members are during the ceremony when the new recruits are made official Rangers."