NUNAVUT
For Josie Stoney of Iqaluit, the idea of attending a two-week summer camp in Whitehorse was all the motivation he needed to join the Junior Canadian Rangers.

Cadets take part in flat-water training during a camp held in Whitehorse. In addition to learning proper strokes, the participants are trained in self-rescue and group rescue. - photo courtesy of the Dept. of National Defence

Stoney, a 17-year-old, Grade 11 student at Inuksuk High School, signed on with the Junior Canadian Rangers four-and-a-half years ago. He has since travelled to the Yukon capital twice to take part in life skills camps. He said he's learned how to go white-water rafting, repelling, rock-wall climbing, horseback riding and he played paintball, among other activities. The process has helped him hone his ability to concentrate, he said, adding that he would recommend the program to other young people because of "the life skills and the friendships."

Although he's enjoyed being a member of the Junior Canadian Rangers, Stoney said he's not sure yet whether a military career lies in his future.

Junior Canadian Rangers and cadets, another program under the Department of National Defence, teach youth ages 12 to 18 wilderness survival, leadership, safety, marksmanship, traditional and cultural lessons, and life skills that include nutrition, the importance of education and avoiding drug and alcohol abuse.

The Canadian Armed Forces does not view the cadet program and the Junior Canadian Rangers as recruiting tools. Instead, recruitment teams from the military make trips north three to four times each year, according to the Canadian Forces Recruiting Group.

High schools, community centres and Service Canada offices are among the places where military recruitment teams pay visits to highlight career options in the Canadian Armed Forces.

RCMP Sgt. David Lawson travels to career fairs in Nunavut to promote law enforcement as an occupation. Lawson, from Pangnirtung, joined the RCMP in 2002. He said the written aptitude test was his greatest hurdle. He passed it on his third attempt, and wasn't about to give up.

"I'm not used to failing. Once I joined, I aced everything in training. I've done quite well in the RCMP itself. I've had two promotions," Lawson said, adding that he had a great uncle who was a special constable and that gave him some inspiration.

He said the RCMP's booth at career fairs garners plenty of interest among youth. Lawson said he tells students that a law enforcement career is challenging and rewarding, and it offers the chance to help people across the territory. He added that there are good benefits for officers, such as financial contributions to vacation outside of Nunavut twice per year, plus a chance to see the country. Despite those incentives, it's been a decade since the last Nunavummiuq joined the force, Lawson acknowledged. However, there are still 10 police officers serving in Nunavut's 'V' Division who were born in the territory.

The RCMP also interacts with youth through its Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program and its Aboriginal Shield program, which emphasizes culture, healthy lifestyles and drug abuse awareness. More than half of Nunavut's communities are served by these programs. DARE is being expanded to include four additional communities: Chesterfield Inlet, Qikiqtarjuaq, Kimmirut and Clyde River.

The DARE program graduated 200 students in Iqaluit in December, its largest number to date.

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.