Twenty-seven Junior Canadian Rangers (JCR) took part in the first-ever Enhanced Training Session (ETS) held in Inuvik July 1 to 7.
JCRs from seven communities in the upper delta region gathered in Inuvik to take part in seven days of training and activities.
Samantha McKay/NNSL photo
The ETS held in Inuvik was one of six that will be conduced across the North this summer.
Usually, the ETS camp is held in Whitehorse, Yukon, but now they're trying something new by holding the program in different communities throughout the North.
According to Junior Canadian Rangers Master Cpl. Gailann Raddi, the JCRs took part in training activities such as boat and canoe safety, traditional sewing and cooking and wilderness first aid.
The JCRs also took part in a training program called Preventing Harassment and Abuse through Successful Education, which aims to teach JCRs about different forms of harassment and abuse as well as appropriate forms of discipline. The program also tackles substance and alcohol abuse and teenage suicide.
Photo courtesy of Gailann Raddi
Gloria Kayotuk, a staff JCR, said she thinks the JCR and ETS programs are important for youth because they help keep youth out of trouble.
"It keeps you away from drugs and alcohol," she said. "It really helps you stay out of trouble."
JCR Mikayla Jacobson agreed, saying the opportunities she has been offered have kept her out of trouble.
"It's a lot of fun, you get to go on trips with your community, you get to go hunting … and you get to meet new people from different communities," said Jacobson. "We went canoeing, swimming and we played games like capture the flag and contact football."
Jacobson, who has been a JCR for four years, said this is her first time attending the ETS camp.
She said it was difficult for her to get to Whitehorse, but now that it is being held in Inuvik, it is more accessible.
Jacobson said she hopes to attend the ETS camp again next year, but organizer Raddi said she isn't sure where the camp will be held in 2019.
Raddi said the ETS is an important opportunity for JCRs in the area to meet.
"It's just nice to get all of the communities together and learn from each other and learn different cultures," she said. "It's also nice to have the army come in to show us what they know, but also be able to show them our knowledge."
The JCRs camped at Duck Lake Park for the first part of the week, but moved to the school mid-week because of bad weather.
"We acted as if we were still on the land," she said. "We weren't supposed to get visitors, the JCRs had to stay here, they have to be with us at all times. They're up at 7 a.m., they're having breakfast by 8 a.m. and they're in bed by 10 p.m."
Raddi said this is her first time attending and organizing an ETS camp.
"I enjoy it, I love being with the youth," she said. "And they're having fun!"