Rankin Inlet (Sep 27/06) - Nunavut sent its first territorial team to compete at the National Aboriginal Firefighters Competition in Prince Albert, Sask., earlier this month.

Team Nunavut placed fifth at the event, which was also attended by B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec.

Team Nunavut 2006 National Aboriginal Firefighters Competition, best sportsmanlike team are, front row from left, Adamie Nuna of Cape Dorset and Jim Fairbank of Iqaluit (coach), back row from left, and Jr. Tiktak of Rankin Inlet, Patrick Lyall of Taloyoak, Bobby Kakolak of Kugluktuk, Luutaaq Qaumagiaq of Cape Dorset and Sam Amarudjuak of Rankin Inlet. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

Nunavut also won the Most Sportsmanlike Team award.

The team comprised Adamie Nuna and Luutaaq Qaumagiaq of Cape Dorset, Samson Amarudjuak and Junior Tiktak of Rankin Inlet, Patrick Lyall of Taloyoak and Bobby Kakolak of Kugluktuk.

Iqaluit's Jim Fairbank is the fire specialist training officer for the Office of the Fire Marshal. He coached the Nunavut squad.

He said the six firefighters learned a lot of new tricks at the competition.

"Most of the firefighters who were in Prince Albert have been competing since 1990," said Fairbank.

"They've learned a lot of ways to lower their times during 16 years and we benefited from that experience.

"For us to finish fifth was awesome, and shows how our firefighters have advanced during the past few years.

"Every team there was a provincial champion."

Fairbank said the Nunavut firefighters know their evolutions, but need to turn in quicker times if they're going to move up in 2007.

He said Nunavut was the most vocal in cheering other teams on, but it wasn't all simply good sportsmanship.

"To be the best you have to beat the best, so we want the other teams to perform well.

"You want them to do great and you do even better."

Fairbank would like to see three 2007 regional competitions held in Nunavut, with the regional champs then squaring off in Rankin for the territorial championship.

"We wanted equal representation from each region this year, but, next year, we want to get more competitive.

"The evolutions are awesome learning skills for our firefighters to use every week when they practice.

"I'm hoping the guys take home what they've learned and pass it on to the others in their stations.

"We can really improve the quality of training in Nunavut by getting guys interested in the competition and out participating."

Amarudjuak said the Rankin firefighters will have to be serious next year if they want to go all the way.

He's looking forward to winning the regional title and then taking on the Baffin and Kitikmeot's best.

"I really enjoyed the national competition and will work really hard to get back there," said Amarudjuak.

"This year was fun, but it would be better to send a whole team from one area.

"It would be great to see Rankin firefighters represent Nunavut at the national competition."