KIVALLIQ
Youth from four Kivalliq communities joined peers from across the North last month for a seven-day training exercise in Whitehorse, Yukon.
Arviat, Whale Cove, Cape Dorset and Chesterfield Inlet all sent members of their Junior Canadian Rangers (JCRs) to take part in an enhanced training session, offered by the First Canadian Ranger Patrol Group (1 CRPG) from June 20 to 27.
More than 214 youth from across the North attended.
According to a June 27 news release about the course, the training concentrated on traditional, life and Ranger skills - the "three circles" of JCR training.
"The emphasis of the (course) was to provide JCRs with the chance to interact and experience cultural differences while building self esteem and self confidence," the news release stated.
Capt. Steve Watton, 1 CRPG public affairs representative, said the course was divided into two parts.
"Some of these kids were on the basic course and some were on the advanced," he explained, adding all the youth who attended had a chance to participate in their course's respective activities. All activities were related to outdoor on-the-land training.
Junior Rangers on the basic course took part in air rifle marksmanship, abseiling, rock climbing, trapping, woodsmanship, canoeing and swift water rescue. That course also included a re-creation of a traditional First Nations village, called Long Ago Peoples Place.
One Junior Ranger from Arviat took the basic course, as well as two from Whale Cove, six from Cape Dorset and two from Chesterfield Inlet.
The advanced course involved rifle handling, leadership exercises, camping, problem solving, white-water rafting, traditional activities and storytelling.
Arviat sent six Junior Rangers for that course, while Whale Cove sent five. Two came from Cape Dorset and two from Chesterfield Inlet.
Chesterfield Inlet, Whale Cove and Arviat each had a Ranger along to supervise as well.
Shania Kritaqliluk, from Arviat, and Whale Cove's Lu-Anne Saumik were also taking part in the course as JCR staff.
Saumik said the highlight of the trip for her was getting to know the people in her platoon group.
"I was in the polar bear platoon. Getting to know my group was amazing," she said.
Her platoon had 27 Junior Rangers from across the North, including herself.
