WEKWEETI/SNARE LAKES
Wekweeti's Joni Tsatchia received a medal thanking her for her 17 years of service with the Canadian Rangers on May 2.

Joni Tsatchia stands with Wekweeti Chief Johnny Arrowmaker on May 2 after receiving a medal thanking her for 17 years of service with the Canadian Rangers. - photo courtesy of Robert Judas

Though she retired earlier this year, Tsatchia said she vividly remembers her first year as an 18-year-old ranger member.

"The first time I joined them, at the time I didn't even know how to shoot a gun," she said. "So my first time, it was tough. But again, you're learning."

Now, Tsatchia not only knows how to properly shoot a gun, she can take it apart, clean it and re-assemble it.

Tsatchia said she joined the rangers to learn survival skills, but also to show that women are just as capable as men.

"I just really want to learn the land and survival portion of it," she said. "All my peers, it was something they aways talked about. Being a female, I wanted to prove that I could do it."

It was her grandfather, John Tsatchia, who encouraged her to learn to survive on the land.

She said the traditional knowledge elder rangers pass on to other members is invaluable.

"There's always new skills you learn from the elders," she said. "Every time you go out on the land, you learn from the older rangers. There is always something new that they'll teach you."

She said she learned that drinking freshly caught caribou blood can provide a much-needed warm drink for cold hunters.

"If you were cold and you just caught a caribou, to feel warm you can drink the blood," she explained.

In addition to traditional knowledge, Tsatchia said she's also learned the value of more modern ideas, such as Ziplock bags.

Rangers are taught how to make survival kits that include vital components such as food, emergency blankets, pain medication and satellite phones. Matches, even waterproof ones, are stored in Ziplock bags to ensure they stay dry.

Tsatchia said she believes everyone should have the basic skills required to survive on the land.

"If you're out on your own, these skills will take you a long way to survive at least," she said.

If she could give anyone who is thinking of joining the Canadian Rangers advice, Tsatchia said her message is simple.

"I would tell them to do it because you get to spend time with the people from your community," she said. "They're skills you take with you forever."

She said the ranger experience not only provides valuable survival skills, but also teaches appreciation.

"It also makes you learn not to take things or people for granted because when you're out on the land, you're going against Mother Nature and those experiences help you realize what matters," she stated in a follow up e-mail to News/North. "When you're out on the land, you appreciate things like clean water and having the skills to hunt because it will help you survive."

Tsatchia said her success with the rangers was due to the support of her partner, Taylor Summerfield and her grandfather.

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