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Patrol sets out on sovereignty mission

Canadian Rangers stake their claim on magnetic North Pole

MIRIAM HILL

Resolute Bay found itself awash in a sea of Ranger red and Forces green this week, as 28 Canadian Rangers descended on the community before heading out on a sovereignty patrol to the magnetic North Pole.

A 34-member expedition set out Wednesday by snow machine, attempting a more than 1,700-kilometre trek toward the shifting magnetic North Pole. Right now, the Pole is located off Cape Isachsen, which is on Ellef Ringnes Island. The trip is expected to take about 10 days.

In order to keep control over lands claimed by Canada, it is necessary for Canadians to show something is being done in the area, from waving a Canadian flag to engaging in rifle practise, both of which will take place at the magnetic North Pole. This sort of patrol is important as an increasing number of foreign ships have been entering Canada’s northern waters and the expedition is a way for Canada to flex its muscles.

The trip is costing about $750,000 and Rangers are expecting satellite phone calls from Prime Minister Jean Chrétien and Defense Minister Art Eggleton once they reach their destination.

The expedition, called Kigliqaqvik Ranger, from the Inuktitut word for place at the edge of known land, will be the first time Rangers from the Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut have participated in a patrol together.

Deborah Iqaluk, 43, a Ranger from Resolute, is one of two women involved in the expedition.

"I’m just one of the Rangers," she said, in a phone interview, adding she’s been involved in a sovereignty patrol before, north of Devon Island. "They needed female Rangers on the patrol, so I said, ‘Why not?’ I guess they asked to prove that women are allowed in the Rangers and we should be recognized somewhere along the way."

Iqaluk wasn’t too concerned about anything the day before the group was to set off.

"I live up here," she said. "It’s just another cold area."

Her partner, Sgt. Paddy Aqiatusuk, did the route last year as part of a reconnaissance mission and will act as a guide on this trip. He said he will be watching for dangerous ice conditions and open water.

"There are some challenges, but we’re confident we can deal with it," he said.

The Rangers will be bringing food and other supplies with them on qamutiit built by Resolute Rangers and hauled by the 34 snow machines rented in the community.

"It’s been very good for the community, people are helping out, so I guess they like it," he said.

Aqiatusuk has been meeting with the visiting Rangers every day and says they are impressed by the barrenness, open space and lack of trees.

Capt. Rick Regan, the deputy commanding officer of the 1st Canadian Ranger Patrol Group, said this patrol, which also commemorates the 60th anniversary of the Rangers, has a different flavour, thanks to the inclusion of people from all across the North.

After 18 months of preparation, this week the Rangers honed their skills in the area outside Resolute, trekking 15 kilometres away, setting up camp and testing their equipment.

"We have 28 Rangers from 28 different communities and no two tie their toboggans, or qamutiiks, the same way," Regan said. "I think there was initially some concern of folks coming from other ends of the Arctic, which can for all intents and purposes be the other end of the world compared to the conditions here. We’ve pretty much worked that out and people are very enthusiastic and keen about doing the trip. It’s really a once in a lifetime opportunity."

For Iqaluk, who has a son in the Rangers and one in the Junior Rangers, the trip will be interesting, but not necessarily the opportunity of a lifetime.

"My best friend thinks I shouldn’t go because I’ll be gone too long," she admitted, laughing.

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