Pond Inlet army cadets occupy Lavoie Point

Warrant Officer Floyd Powder

POND INLET — The Arctic’s newest cadet corps has invaded and briefly occupied Lavoie Point in their largest exercise to date.

Thirty-four army cadets from Pond Inlet’s army cadet corp participated in a field training exercise 60 miles outside of their community, at Lavoie Point on Eclipse Sound.

Formed in January 1999, the corps has participated in several exercises. This month’s exercise comprised of preparing for the exercise, the actual move by snowmobile to Lavoie Point, erecting a tented camp, and most of Saturday, constructing seven igloos. The cadets enjoyed sleeping overnight in the igloos. Other activities were planned but were postponed due to poor snow conditions.

Staff who participated in the exercise were the C.O. – Pat Mcderrmott – Aquila Kautainuk, Martha Maktar and Steven Leck. Volunteers included Carl Jorgensen and Michael Demaio. Elders who provided assistance were Gamaili Kilukishak and his wife.

In just over a year of operation, the corps has been highly successful. Thirty-five cadets attended summer training at Whitehorse, Yukon. Most recently seven cadets travelled to Whitehorse, Yukon, to represent the Baffin Zone in the Northern Region Cadet Drill Competition on Easter weekend.

The competition consisted of three parts. The inspection of each cadet, Compulsory Drill, in which the team captain calls out the commands, and Precision Drill, in which the team conducts a series of movements without commands being given.

Full credit goes out to the corps staff, and most importantly, the cadets themselves, for putting their best foot forward.