IKALUKTUTIAK/CAMBRIDGE BAY - A group of women from Cambridge Bay headed out on the land recently with only one goal, to catch a caribou.

The group of seven women from Cambridge Bay's Kiilinik high school went out on three snowmobiles and two sleds as part of the school's first ladies-only hunt, designed to give female students the same exposure to the land as the guys.

Tracy Okhina, left, Brenda Sitatak, Helen Kavanna, Rebecca Rowan and Becky Kakolak surround Grade 11 student Janine Angohiatok as she cuts into a caribou as a part of Kiilinik high school's ladies on the hunt initiative in late May. - photo courtesy of Anne Isnor

"It's better for us because we don't have any competition from the guys and we get a chance," said Grade 11 student Janine Angohiatok, who participated on the trips on May 24 and May 26.

The group consisted of Angohiatok, 16, and fellow students Tracy Okhina, Becky Kakolak and Rebecca Rowan as well as school staffers Brenda Sitatak, Helen Kavanna and Anne Isnor.

May 24 was the first day of their hunt, and the group headed to a cabin near Mount Pelly for a rest stop, featuring tea, coffee, bannock and snacks.

"As far as I can make out from the staff, 90 per cent of the time was spent giggling. It was really a very positive experience in terms of a great group. They had a terrific time," said school principal Mike Simms, who also helped organize the trip.

The group used their hunting skills to track a few caribou with Tracy Okhina as the designated shooter of the .22 open sight rifle.

The caribou were skittish, and one in particular was a challenge as they chased it and shot at it, but it ultimately got away.

The group returned home empty-handed but eager to get back out on the land and try again. The next day was a write-off due to white-out conditions and strong winds.

On May 26, luck was on their side and the women successfully caught two caribou. Angohiatok helped with the skinning and butchering.

The group did hit one snag on their journey. While on their way home, one of the sleds and a snowmobile got stuck in the slush.

"Us ladies were all trying to fix it," recalled Angohiatok, adding that in the combined effort to free the sled and snowmobile, all members of the group got soaked.

"They caught a lot of slush, a lot of water. They dealt with it. It was superb. It was exactly what we hoped it would be," said Simms.

Simms said there are several female students in the school who excel at land skills and this hunt gave them a chance to shine. He hopes some of the female students will choose to use their skills to get into careers as guides.

"The thing is that for Janine and for Tracy in particular, they've really taken a leadership role in so many different areas," said Simms.

As far as Simms is aware, this was the first all-woman hunt in the school system, and he plans on holding more in successive school years.

"It's something that really is a step for them to come forward and take the leadership role. I think it bodes well for the future."