RANKIN INLET - Rankin Inlet was among the Nunavut communities to welcome the new commander of Joint Task Force (North) this past week.

Joint Task Force (North) commander Brig.-Gen. Guy Hamel shares a laugh with cadet Tiffany Aupilardjuk while inspecting the ranks in Rankin Inlet this past week. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

Brig.-Gen. Guy Hamel conducted an outreach tour from Oct. 18 to 22, which also took him to Kimmirut, Iqaluit, Pangnirtung, Hall Beach, Qikiqtarjuaq, Clyde River, Kugaaruk and Gjoa Haven.

During his tour, Hamel met with members of the Canadian Rangers, Junior Canadian Rangers and Royal Canadian Army and Air Cadets.

He also participated in local activities and met with community leaders and elders.

After spending part of the afternoon with the Rangers, Hamel attended a cadet parade as part of his Rankin visit.

Hamel replaces one of the more popular task force commanders in recent years, Brig.-Gen. David Millar.

He said his outreach tour was all about meeting people in the communities, hearing their needs and letting them know he is there to support them.

"I'm extremely honoured to follow the path of Gen. Millar," said Hamel.

"My job is to continue to enhance what he built upon here.

"One of my main goals with the Joint Task Force (North) is to be there to support the people of the North as required by the communities."

Hamel said the task force's role is, basically, to exercise sovereignty and to contribute to the safety, security and defence of the North.

He said the Rangers do more than 110 operations a year and allow the task force to be better connected with the communities.

"We were very proud to make Rankin our first stop on our outreach tour, and we were very pleased to see the cadet's parade.

"Those kids did a full march past without any music, which is quite an achievement for their age.

"You can see the support they receive from the community, their parents and Lieut. (Dorothy) Tootoo, who you can tell the kids admire very much. The Ranger sergeant (Herb Scharer) who is taking over from her will bring another facet of leadership, which should be quite interesting for them and will enhance their capabilities."

Hamel said the cadet program offers many opportunities to youth, and the Rankin cadets seem to understand that.

"You can see these kids really enjoy it and, during our visit, they were very happy and proud.

"That's the main key for the community; for parents to be proud of what the kids are accomplishing.

"The young sergeant (Cassandra Gordon) already has a medal.

"She's the type of community hero who will one day show up as a leader, and it won't be a surprise when that day arrives."

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