Jillian Dickens
Northern News Services

Clyde River (Oct 10/05) - Clyde River Canadian Ranger Levi Palituq had a chance to see a Governor General for the second time recently.

Palituq, who is a Medal of Honour recipient, travelled to Ottawa as an honour guard for Clarkson during her goodbye ceremonies Sept. 21 along with Ranger Joe Amarualik of Iqaluit and Master Cpl. Baba Pedersen of Kugluktuk.

Clyde River Canadian Ranger Levi Palituq travelled to Ottawa recently as an honour guard for Governor General Adrienne Clarkson's farewell ceremonies. - photo courtesy of Peter Iqalukjuak

They were among nine Canadian Rangers and two Junior Canadian Rangers who acted as honour guards.

Palituq describes the position as symbolically important but simple in action.

"It's important to me. It lets me show the military brass or the headquarters or the big people in Ottawa that I am doing my part as a Canadian," he said.

He met Clarkson's predecessor, Romeo LeBlanc, upon receiving the prestigious Medal of Bravery.

This medal acknowledged Palituq's wholehearted attempt to save a drowning man in the icy waters near Pond Inlet. Palituq himself almost drowned, and was pulled unconscious from the water after a lengthy struggle to save the man, who's body was never found.

"I didn't do it to receive the medal. I did it because I would expect my fellow man to do it. I did it because I was there. He needed help and that's the way it was."

At the ceremonies, Clarkson was introduced to Palituq. The two shook hands, and she proceeded on.

"It just seemed like a photo opportunity," Palituq said, admitting he wasn't too impressed with the Governor General.

"It made me question what she said about having a big thing for the Rangers, and all the nice things she said about the North."

Canadian Rangers are volunteer, part-time reservists who provide military presence in isolated communities.

"Being a Ranger is helping out in the community and not being paid to do it. It's giving back to the community."

Palituq has been a Ranger for 10 years and will keep at it as long as his body is willing, he said.

Palituq attributes his modest, humble nature to his mother.

"(She is) a quiet, hardworking person who doesn't take BS from anybody and takes care of her own."

"My momma brought me up to be a reasonable person," said Palituq.