Today is National Indigenous Veterans Day across Canada. To commemorate the day, QIA is featuring Stevie Aulaqiaq of Qikiqtarjuaq.
Stevie Aulaqiaq first became a Canadian Ranger in the winter of 1974, when the Canadian military was going to do combat exercises near Qikiqtarjuaq.
There was a call from the miliary to recruit two local people from the community to assist in the exercise.
Stevie and Koalie Kooneeliusie were the only ones then that signed up.
They were taken to Cape Dyer by a twin otter where they spent up to 15 hours a day sometimes without any sleep helping the military.
Their duties included retrieving snowmobiles and gassing up machines and at times building igloos. That’s when Stevie was given the ranking of a Sargent for about twenty years.
Stevie says it was just the two of them for a year or two until they were told by the military about another parachuting exercise being planned. They were told to recruit more Inuit to assist, and he was able to get eleven people signed up.
Stevie says he’s really enjoyed his time being part of the Rangers as they receive training, they otherwise would not have access to such as survival skills, first aid, learning about GPS and spot tracking systems and navigation training.
When not assisting military personnel, the Rangers are the eyes and ears of the north being on the look out for foreign vessels such as submarines or ships with different flags. They also monitor the North warning system devices located in different areas around Qikiqtarjuaq about 4 times a year to ensure they are working properly and there’s no fuel spill or snow build up.
Stevie has been involved in about six military exercise patrols in Cambridge Bay, Yukon, Alert, Resolute Bay which he’s been to twice. The most recent one last this past February and March. He says they Rangers lead the military safely to their destination. They also build igloos and harvest fish and seal so the military can learn more about Inuit culture.
In September, Stevie traveled to Quebec City with his wife, to receive the King Charles the third Coronation medal to recognize his 50 years of service to Canadian Rangers. He says he was so surprised and did not expect to receive the recognition.
Stevie says the Canadian Rangers play an important role on behalf of the military and he encourages younger people to enlist. The Rangers also do volunteer work and help with search and rescue and assist the military who are not familiar with the arctic environment and the weather. Stevie says he will continue to serve as long as he’s physically able.
Photo credits: Joint Task Force North – Yellowknife, NT
Photo credits: Joint Task Force North – Yellowknife, NT
Photo credits: Joint Task Force North – Yellowknife, NT
Photo Credit – Governor General of Canada’s Office
