Baker Lake youth flock to junior rangers program

Enrolment meeting held in February, over 100 children in the community are taking part

More than 90 children from the community of Baker Lake, pictured here at the enrolment meeting in February, are participating in the Junior Canadian Rangers program. (Photo courtesy of Loïc Lollier)

By Meral Jamal

Two years ago, a group of Canadian Rangers flew into Baker Lake to gauge interest in establishing a Junior Canadian Rangers program there.

Now, the Kivalliq community of 2,000 people is home to the largest group of junior rangers in Canada.

Instructor Loïc Lollier, who is part of the 1st Canadian Ranger Patrol Group in Yellowknife, said more than 90 children showed up for an enrolment meeting at the end of February.

That number has now grown to more than 105.

The Junior Canadian Rangers program provides ranger skills, life skills and traditional skills to young people between the ages of 12 and 18 who are living in northern, coastal or isolated areas.

Bringing the program to the community of Baker Lake has been a nearly two-year process, according to Lollier.

The rangers first held an information meeting for the community in November 2021.

After seeing “a lot of interest from the kids in the community” at the time, Lollier said, the hamlet and junior rangers program began to work together.

The paperwork “took longer than expected,” he said, but was finally completed and approved in early February.

Lollier said the rangers are now working with people in Baker Lake to host a range of programs such as drill classes, public speaking practices and traditional skills training.

“We try to have this program run by the community at the end of the day,” he said.

For Lollier, the most rewarding aspect of the junior rangers program is how much he learns from each community and the children who participate.

“I’m always amazed by what I learn,” he said.

“When we go fishing with the kids or hunting, sometimes you get elders joining in to teach the kids and also the rangers joining in to help out.

“And I’m just standing there, and I’m also learning those skills [myself] so it’s always great.”

 

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(5) Comments:

  1. Posted by Old farts on

    Arviat did the same now it nothing they don’t care anymore

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  2. Posted by Lifelong Nunavut Resident on

    The problem in Arviat is the lack of volunteers. The few volunteers that put in the time to volunteer are bashed and have little to no support. For a town of 3000, you have less than 3% volunteer their time.

    Re: Old Farts – obviously the community residents do not care so they do not volunteer their time to make the Junior Rangers a success just like many other things in Arviat…….Sad….

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    • Posted by Dolla Dolla Bills Y’all on

      Probably has something to do with not getting *paid* for their *volunteer work.* Similar problems across the territory. Need a volunteer translator for a volunteer program nobody is getting paid for, can’t find one, get yelled at for not providing one. Offer some compensation, still can’t find one.

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  3. Posted by Nunavuttmiut in the East on

    Way to go Baker Lake!

  4. Posted by Kugluktuk residents on

    We want it here too for our kids they have not much program for our kids here in the far west town
    It would help the next generation develop into great leaders.

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