Junior Canadian Rangers train at Fort William Historical Park

This winter’s four-day Junior Canadian Rangers training weekend at Fort William Historical Park was “awesome,” according to a number of the JCRs.

“It’s been pretty awesome,” says Kaitlyn Hunter, a JCR from Peawanuck. “I enjoyed my stay here.”

Hunter particularly enjoyed the Feb. 25 evening Star Walk at FWHP’s David Thompson Astronomical Observatory.

“It was interesting and I learned a lot about it,” says Hunter, who joined the JCRs about six years ago. “It was something new. It was pretty cool.”

Beth Baxter, a JCR from Moose Factory, enjoyed the Feb. 25 Life in a Wigwam session.

“It’s been great — I’ve been learning a lot,” says Baxter, who also joined the JCRs about six years ago. “For example, we were at the wigwam on the first day and they were telling stories about our culture. And it was the first time I was hearing a lot of the stories. It was nice to be in touch with my culture. It was really cool.”

Baxter says the training sessions provide an opportunity to meet other JCRs from across the north.

“There’s always a few familiar faces,” Baxter says. “And it’s really nice just to meet up with people from different communities because this is the only opportunity we get to see each other sometimes.”

Baxter says the friendships she has made are the best part of being with the JCRs.

“And just meeting everyone, because everyone is so different,” Baxter says.

Baxter plans to join the Canadian Rangers soon. JCRs can sign up with the Canadian Rangers when they are 18 years old.

“All I need to do is fill out the forms,” Baxter says.

Theran Chookomolin, a JCR from Peawanuck, enjoyed the Feb. 27 square dancing session.

“It was really fun,” says Chookomolin, who joined the JCRs about five years ago. “And it was really funny too.”

About 70 JCRs and 13 Canadian Rangers from six Hudson Bay, James Bay and Matawa First Nations communities participated in four days of training along with three Canadian Army staff at FWHP. In addition to the Star Walk and Life in a Wigwam sessions and trampoline park visit on Feb. 25, the JCRs also participated in GPS Scavenger Hunt, Muskets and Cannons, Traditional Craft and Night Sky Storytelling sessions on Feb. 26; Voyageur Winter Challenge, First Nations Skills and Tech, History on the Menu, Fur Trade Dancing and Farm Visit sessions on Feb. 27; and Tracks, Skulls and Furs and Ethnobotany sessions on Feb. 28.

Donny Sutherland, a Canadian Ranger from Constance Lake, says the JCRs enjoyed their training weekend at the historical park.

“It’s good that they’re teaching those older teachings, how to live on the land,” Sutherland says. “Nowadays, they are just losing that with all the technology. So it is good that they are here and there is no Internet. It’s kind of bringing them back to how they used to live.”

Warrant Officer Wes Jenkins, a Canadian Army instructor, says the FWHP staff did an excellent job with the JCRs.

“The JCRs participated in a lot of Ranger training, traditional skills and cultural skills,” Jenkins says. “It is invaluable to the program.”

Jenkins says the training weekend was a horizon broadening experience for the JCRs.

“They get to interact with people from their own community, and then six more communities,” Jenkins says. “So bringing them together adds a lot to the training.”