The tricksters return
Special bear patrol has children back trick-or-treating in Arviat
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Wednesday, November 9, 2016
ARVIAT
Squeals of laughter from ghosts, goblins and creatures of all shapes, sizes and descriptions looking for tasty treats returned to Arviat for the first time in three years this past month.
Search-and rescue's Ken Beardsall keeps a sharp eye out as part of the bear patrol protecting children out trick-or-treating in Arviat. - photo courtesy of Gleason Uppahuak |
A special bear patrol was set up to allow the kids to celebrate Halloween and go trick-or-treating around their community on Oct. 31.
Search-and-rescue's (SAR) Ken Beardsall was among about 20 people who volunteered for the bear patrol.
Beardsall said the patrol was comprised of members from the SAR, Rangers, Hunter and Trapper's Organization and local firefighters.
He said everyone was really happy about how smoothly the evening went.
"Our main bear patrol guy, Leo Ikakhik, was cruising around during the evening, and he reported things went very well," said Beardsall.
"He said having all those bright lights shining out onto the land would make bears think twice about coming into town.
"We didn't have a single bear show up during the trick-or-treating, and the kids seemed to really be having a lot of fun going door-to-door.
"They also gave away candies and other treats at the community hall, which is where they gave out all the treats during the years trick-or-treating was banned in Arviat because of the polar bears."
Beardsall said 2015 was a really bad year for bears coming into the community.
He said this year hasn't been quite as bad, but it's still a long ways from good.
"On Halloween, a bear ended up in a trap near the dump sometime after 7:30 p.m., when the bear patrol members went home after the trick-or-treating.
"There's been numerous bears, including mothers and cubs, going through the community again this year.
"We had one bear go right past our house a couple of Friday nights ago.
"But there's been no reports of a bear attacking anyone that I'm aware of, so that's always a good thing."
Beardsall said he's in favour of continuing the bear patrol so children can go trick-or-treating around the community every year.
He said in addition to allowing children to enjoy Halloween, the patrol shows them that adults care.
"It's important to show the kids their community cares about them, so I was very happy Alanna Copland thought of the idea.
"It's a special experience for kids to go trick-or-treating, and it's sad anytime they're denied that.
"I've lived in Coral Harbour, Rankin Inlet and Arviat since coming North in 1988, and, in my experience, Halloween is very popular and a lot of fun in those communities."
