Nancy Kooktook is pictured during a Canadian Rangers rifle training session. The Nunavik woman has been named Ranger of the Year for the 2nd Canadian Division. (Photo courtesy of the Canadian Armed Forces)
Nunavik woman named Ranger of the Year for her work with youth
Nancy Kooktook says dad was her mentor as a ranger, now her own daughter has joined too
Updated May 13 at 11:15 a.m.
Nancy Kooktook has dedicated much of her work as a master corporal with the Canadian Rangers to helping young people in her home community of Kangiqsualujjuaq.
For her work, the Canadian Armed Forces recently named her Ranger of the Year for the 2nd Canadian Division, which covers all of northern Quebec, including all the regular and reserve units.
Kooktook’s involvement with the Canadian Rangers began during the late 1990s when she was 12 years old and joined the junior rangers program.
“I joined because it looked fun and I wanted to follow in my father’s footsteps,” she said in a phone interview.
“He helped me so much,” she added with a tremble in her voice, speaking of her late dad, Charlie Etok, who also was a ranger for nearly three decades. He made training easier for her, Kooktook said, calling him an inspiration for the work she does now.
Kooktook officially became a Canadian Ranger in 2005 and began to climb the ranks with specific goals in mind, one of which was to become a role model for the youth.
Canadian Rangers are members of the Canadian Armed Forces who are on duty while training or when called upon to assist in an emergency or domestic operation.
There are about 5,000 rangers members based in more than 200 communities across the country, according to the Canadian government.
“The youth need someone to look up to,” said Kooktook. “They need to feel safe, and be around positive people with good energy.
“That is what I feel when I am with them. I feel good with them.”
Kooktook, a member of the Kangiqsualujjuaq patrol, will be honoured with a commendation from Brig-Gen. Dave Abboud.
“I am proud to be Ranger of the Year,” Kooktook said.
“We need more people that can look after the youth. They can do anything they put their mind to, they can become whoever they want to be, and they can achieve their goals if they are up for it.”
Kooktook said her message to young people is that “all your hard work pays off. One day, it will be recognized. Don’t give up.”
For Kooktook, being in the rangers is a family affair, from her father to herself and now her 15-year-old daughter who is enrolled in the Junior Canadian Rangers program.
Ranger of the year awards are chosen based on the member’s leadership skills and their work in the community, said Master Cpl. Etienne Bertrand.
Note: This article was updated to note the Ranger of the Year award is for the 2nd Canadian Division
It’s too bad there’s no initiative to make of the Rangers a serious component of Canada’s (un-serious) armed forces for arctic defence and mountain warfare, with a regiment equivalent to the US 80th Airborne or the Italian Alpini. The equivalent of scouts armed with the kind of rifles used a century ago is pathetic window-dressing.
There is a very good argument to be made that while there is need for an organization like the Rangers, and that they do a good job contributing to both the social fabric and economy of the north, they shouldn’t be part of the military, particularly given the lack of basic military competence and skills that they have. Robert Smol did a good article on this in the CBC a few years ago.
I would absolutely support upgrading training and discipline to the standards of other primary reserve units, particularly in the dismounted infantry skills area. If that isn’t going to happen, I would disengage the organization from the military. Junior/senior NCO training needs to be massively upgraded as well. Land skills does not equate to leadership.
Saali, and all Kangiqsualujjuamiuit are proud of her service. Russian front line defence leader💪🏽