Canadian Rangers gauging interest on Hay River Reserve
Information meeting attracts turnout of 20 people
Paul Bickford
Northern News Services
Monday, January 30, 2017
K'ATLODEECHE/HAY RIVER RESERVE
There seems to be considerable interest in seeing the Canadian Rangers come to the Hay River Reserve.
A Jan. 18 information meeting by the Canadian Rangers and K'atlodeeche First Nation attracted what was generally agreed to be a very good turnout of about 20 people.
The idea is not to set up a new Canadian Rangers patrol on the Hay River Reserve but to establish sections – made up of 10 Rangers each – of the existing Hay River patrol.
"It's good to see good interest," said Chief Roy Fabian, who spoke in favour of the idea.
Fabian said he had previously written the commanders of the Canadian Rangers telling them the First Nation wanted to be consulted about patrols on its traditional land.
"So one of the things that was suggested was that KFN can begin starting their own Rangers, a section it's called," he said.
Fabian said becoming Canadian Rangers would be a chance for Dene on the reserve to participate in protecting their traditional lands, noting the land is shared with Canada by treaty.
"To me, I think it's an excellent opportunity for us to get involved in something like this," he said.
The meeting was also told there is a possibility of setting up a Junior Canadian Rangers program on the reserve for youth aged 12 to 18 years.
Fabian was strongly in favour of that idea, noting it could help turn young people away from alcohol and drugs.
Lt.-Col. Luis Carvallo, commanding officer of 1st Canadian Ranger Patrol Group – which covers all three of the territories – was on hand for the Jan. 18 meeting.
Carvallo explained there are currently two sections of the Hay River patrol, which has about 15 members and no associated Junior Canadian Rangers program.
"We're talking about the possibility of establishing one, maybe two, sections in the K'atlodeeche First Nation reserve," he said. "So two sections of a total of 20 people, and as well the Junior Rangers."
Carvallo said proximity to the existing Hay River patrol prevents the Canadian Rangers from establishing another patrol so close by on the Hay River Reserve.
After hearing Fabian and Carvallo speak, Amos Cardinal asked the other potential Canadian Rangers at the meeting what they were thinking.
Cardinal then asked whoever was interested to raise their hands, and the majority did so.
Near the end of the meeting, Peter Redvers, the director of land, resources and negotiations with KFN, said he believed there is enough interest for the chief and council to put a letter together to say the community would like to pursue a KFN section of the Hay River patrol.
Also that it would like to begin the process of recruitment and working on a constitution.
As for the possible impact of a Junior Canadian Rangers program on the existing army cadet corps in Hay River, Carvallo said the capacity of the community was considered.
"Right now we understand there's capacity for only one youth program in Hay River and right now we are leaving Hay River primarily for the cadets," he said.
"So that's their domain. There's no intent for us to go there."
In addition, he noted his understanding is that no youth from the reserve participates in the army cadet corps.
