Kuujjuaq to host national celebration of Junior Canadian Rangers program
Anniversary event to mark 25 years set for Jan. 11 to 13
The Junior Canadian Rangers are celebrating their 25th anniversary in Nunavik in early January. (File photo)
The Junior Canadian Rangers program is celebrating its 25th anniversary later this month.
Quebec’s 2nd Canadian Ranger Patrol Group — one of five ranger groups across Canada — is hosting a three-day celebration to mark the milestone in Kuujjuaq.
From Jan. 11 to 13, close to 100 junior Canadian rangers from across the country are expected to attend along with community members, local leaders and dignitaries, announced the Department of National Defence Dec. 1 in a news release.
Kuujjuaq Mayor Mary Johannes said in the release it will be a “great honour” to host the event.
“Nunavik has been involved with the rangers for many years,” she said. “It will be great to see the youth from all over visiting our region.”
Celebrations are set to include ice fishing, dogsledding, ice sculpting, Inuit games and outdoor activities within Kuujjuaq and at Lake Stewart.
The second ranger patrol group will also conduct a winter training session where junior rangers will get the chance to build winter shelters, pick up some winter survival skills and learn about leadership.
The official closing ceremony will include speeches from representatives from the Defence Department as well as Nunavik leaders.
The Junior Canadian Rangers got its start in Nunavik, according to the release. The first junior ranger programs were created in Kuujjuaq, Puvirnituq and Salluit after the Kativik Regional Government proposed the Quebec government create a youth-focused community program.
“The fact that it has grown from three [JCRs] in northern Quebec to … thousands of junior rangers who have gone through this program throughout Canada, it is really a testament to support from communities,” said Defence Deprtment spokesperson Maj. Alexander Gordon, in an interview.
There are 25 Canadian Ranger patrols in Quebec, including 700 Canadian Rangers — members of the Canadian Armed Forces who are called into action for emergency or domestic operations — as well as 700 Junior Canadian Rangers and 73 military and civilian personnel.
If it weren’t for programs like this kids won’t get out on the land at all. It’s not the most healthy interaction today with kids being taught locally. Too much booze and drugs and that’s the way of life passed down to kids. Nunavik needs to thank this opportunity for kids.
And there’s talk about colonization. These programs are part of colonization. And can you show me how it’s negative? The next time you hear that colonization is intrusion, just think about how Inuit are living in a time where life has so much to offer. The alternative as by some that don’t appreciate what colonialism has done in a good way, will not comprehend that life would be pretty damm bad without somebody doung something while local are doing little.
Yes all part of colonialism. Just as we past through Christmas, the gifts, the games of money, all colonialism. The songs, the excitement, radio games, turkeys. Christmas lights. Christmas trees. Now, isn’t that a good thing, and don’t forget the thirst for alcohol, oh yea, that one, alcohol, the love of it all. That’s the best colonial gift ever. We even get to blame colonialism for that needed gift of life.
The contradiction of it all. You get people complaining when the shoe don’t fit, but take advantage slyly when they want it bad. Thats colonialism. Embrace what’s glory be and pretend for that sake when you feel like making noise. If it wasn’t for colonialism I doubt if many people who have survived the hardship of living, people in the north live a life today that includes everything they need, it’s up to them to use it wisely. It’s all about bad decisions when things like alcohol and drugs and abuse takes over. It’s not colonialism to be blamed. Colonialism is why you are alive today. Alcohol problems are your own.
Hope the beer and wine sales and the after effects are kept in bounds while this event takes place. Wouldn’t it be naughty to have young people from other parts of Canada see first hand, the restricted, and the reasons why. They’ve have to say, it’s different from my home town.