Preparing role models, teaching skills

Labrador's newest Junior Canadian Ranger (JCR) patrol is officially in place, encompassing Mary's Harbour, Lodge Bay and St. Lewis.

It was a long time in coming.

"I joined the Canadian Rangers three years ago with the goal of getting the JCRs in Mary's Harbour - that was my main goal when I joined - and it took two years in planning," said Brad Rumbolt, a leader with the Canadian Rangers in Mary's Harbour.

The province's newest JCR unit held its official opening Nov. 21 at the Ramond C. Rumbolt Memorial Recreation Centre in Mary's Harbour, where military officers, local politicians and JCRs from the Labrador Straits, Port Hope Simpson and Cartwright numbering almost 200 gathered.

The JCR officer for Newfoundland and Labrador, Randy Berkshire, said the process of establishing patrols can be lengthy. But with support from the Mary's Harbour Canadian Ranger patrol, recommendation by the community and approval from Ottawa, the region's newest outfit is flying out of the gate.

In fact, training started the following morning.

"We've been trying to get it on the go for the last two years and finally Ottawa opened up the ability for us to open up more patrols right across Canada," Mr. Berkshire said. "And this is the next one that we've been trying to open up for Newfoundland and Labrador, so it's great to finally see it come through tonight."

Kevin Farrell, Ryan Rumbolt, Jessica Pye Poole, Nicole Strugnell and Jesse Mangrove were each elected master corporals by the local JCR patrol - 59 Rangers strong - while Nicholas Cumby was elected sergeant.

"It's really a job to describe it," said Mr. Cumby, 15. "It made me feel really proud of myself, that made my mom proud and my dad proud, that I could go up and accept the pendent for sergeant."

Cpl. Clyde Russell of the Canadian Armed Forces gave a speech before Port Hope Simpson JCR MCpl. Roxanne Notley presented Mr. Rumbolt with the JCR flag.

"I think it's a great achievement for the community, the surrounding communities and the kids," Mr. Rumbolt said.

The program will be made up of 60 per cent life and traditional skills and 40 per cent Ranger skills, Mr. Rumbolt explained. An adult committee, made up of community members and chaired by Glenys Rumbolt, will meet weekly to create life and traditional skills.

"It's going to be a chance for them to learn things that they probably would not learn in their daily lives, and it's something they can pass on to their kids and something that'll stick with them for a long time," Mr. Rumbolt said. "So yes, it means a lot to me to know that our heritage and our traditional life skills are being taught and passed on to our younger generation."

Mr. Berkshire added: "Those type of skills are unique to Newfoundland and Labrador, and it's been lost, so the more of those skills that we can get back into the youth, the better it is for the younger generation to pass it on to their kids down the road," he said.

"All the youth in Junior Ranger programs are role models for their communities - and they all do well."