Junior Canadian Ranger patrol opens in Lac Seul

Lac Seul First Nation has northern Ontario’s newest Junior Canadian Ranger patrol.
A total of 27 Junior Rangers paraded for the first time recently. They were greeted by Lt.-Col. Morley Armstrong, the incoming commanding officer of 3rd Canadian Ranger Patrol Group, which commands the Canadian Rangers of northern Ontario and runs the Junior Ranger program in the province.
“I’m excited about it,” said Master Cpl. Denise Ningewance, the Canadian Ranger in charge of the patrol. “I’m a child resource coordinator, so I’m used to putting on events for kids and working with them. I’m looking forward to having the support of other Rangers.”
The Junior Rangers are a national youth program for boys and girls aged 12 to 18 in more than 180 remote and isolated communities across the country. It promotes safety on the land and water and in personal lifestyles. In northern Ontario, there are more than 700 Junior Rangers in 19 First Nations.
“We had very good co-operation from the community,” said Sgt. James Doherty, an army instructor. “Sgt. Brad Ross, the Ranger sergeant in charge of the Lac Seul Ranger patrol is also a band councillor. He took us around and introduced us to everyone we needed to meet. We got 27 Junior Rangers signed up in only two days. We expect to get a lot more kids joining. I think this is going to be a good patrol.”
Morley Ledger, a 12-year-old Grade 8 student, said he was happy about receiving his uniform.
“I’m excited,” he said. “I think it’s going to be fun.”
Ningewance said the Junior Rangers will be meeting regularly and is busy planning events for them.
“I expect we will be doing a lot of traditional stuff,” she said. “We’re going to get some Rangers and community members to help us with that. They’ll be doing things like how to set a fishing net, smoke fish and stuff like that. They’ll be doing shooting with an air rifle and archery. We’re going to get them out on the land, learning how to use maps and compasses.
“I think they are going to have a great time and learn a lot of useful things.”