3045 ACR 14

April 21, 2014

I spent the remaining days of Spring Break cleaning out my classroom and preparing lessons.  I was not surprised by the amount of stuff I threw out.  For a while, old resources, and class work & notebooks from previous students were collecting dust on my shelves.  Spring Break finally gave me the time to get rid of them.  After throwing out a large and full garbage bag, the cupboards and shelves were now clean and organized.  My Grade 10 English students would begin the week by studying the feature film Stand & Deliver.  My Grade 10 Social Studies students would start studying the Residential Schools module.  And my guitarists would review basic theory before moving on to more blues melodies and open chords.

            

The last day of Spring Break was April 21st - Easter Monday.  One of the local churches organized an afternoon of activities out on the ice.  A lot of people came out to play games and watch igloos being built.  The ice was still thick enough to support the weight of pickup trucks and skidoos.  I took several pictures of the crowd while walking to and from school. 

            

When school reconvened the next day, my students shared stories of going out on the land, travelling to Pond Inlet, hanging out with friends, and just staying home.  I showed the students some of the pictures I took during my long hike.  I'll show them the extreme ironing photos another time. 

            

Lance Corporal Lavallee

Wednesday, April 23, was a big day for the cadets of 3045 Army.  It was that time of the year again - the Annual Ceremonial Review (ACR).  An ACR is a formal parade at the end of the regular training year that gives cadets the opportunity to show off what they have learned to their families and friends.  Hardworking cadets also receive awards and promotions.  The parade also  gives corps administrators a platform to promote the cadet program to the general public and recruit members for the next training year.  ACRs down south are usually held in late May or early June.  In the Arctic, ACRs are held much earlier because by late May, most Inuit families are out camping.  This would be my second ACR with 3045.  (Click here to read about last year's parade).   

            

The parade began at 1900hrs (7pm) in Inuujaq School's gym.  The cadets came an hour early to set up chairs, tables, and change into their dress uniforms.  I wanted to wear my CIC uniform for the first time except the dress shirts & tunic were too small.  There's always next year.  For the parade, I wore formal civilian clothing.  Once everyone was seated, the flag party marched on parade and planted the flags of Canada and the Cadet Movement on both side of the Dias.  Then they took their positions as left markers.  After the command was given, the remaining cadets marched on and took their positions next to the markers.

            

The Honourable Eva Aariak speaks with Lance Corporal Reid, J.

The Reviewing Party was led by the Commanding Officer (CO) of 3045, Lt. Frank May.  He escorted the Guest Reviewing Officer, the Honourable Eva Aariak, to the Dias.  Miss Aariak is the former Premier of Nunavut.  An RCMP Officer and I followed closely behind.  The parade officially began with an opening prayer.  Aariak inspected the cadets on parade while being escorted by cadet Sergeant (Sgt) Reid, Andrew.  While this was happening, members of the audience took pictures with their cameras, iPods, and iPads.  The Sgt led the corps in a march past for the Reviewing Officer.  Thereafter, Aariak was given the opportunity to speak to the cadets and the audience.  She spoke in English and Inuktitut.  She thanked everyone for welcoming her back to her hometown and for supporting the cadet movement.  She also thanked the cadets for looking good in their uniforms and being involved in the cadet program.

            

Corporal Akikulu, D. receives a promotion
to Master Corporal from Eva Aariak.

The parade continued with promotions and presentations.  There were promotions to Lance Corporal, Corporal, Master Corporal, and Sergeant.  The presentations consisted of introducing all the various teams to the audience.  The corps has teams for biathlon, marksmanship, Army Cadet Challenge, and skills.  As head coach, I introduced the skills team and informed everyone that we would be travelling to Rankin Inlet on the weekend to participate in a Skills Competition (more on this in a future post).

            

The ACR moved on to something new - a short drill competition between two teams.  Sgt. Reid, A. commanded both teams, issuing commands at the halt and on the march.  Jerome, a civilian volunteer, and I acted as judges.  After watching both teams, we debated and decided that the second team was more focused.  Nevertheless, both teams received an applause from the audience for their performances.

            

Sgt. Reid, A. receiving the Long Service Award.

Sgt. Allurut-Reid receiving the Best
Boots and Deportment Trophy.

With the corps back on parade as one large platoon, the ACR continued with the presentation of five awards.  They were: the Long Service Medal, Best Boots & Deportment, Top Male/Female Athletes, Most Improved Cadet, and Top Cadet.  The Long Service Medal is awarded to cadets who have been in the cadet program for 4+ years.  I announced the winner of the Best Boots & Deportment award and Miss Aariak presented it to Sgt. Allurut-Reid.  The RCMP officer presented the Most Improved Cadet award to Lance Corporal Tunraluk, Tara.  Aariak presented all the awards and had her picture taken with the winning cadets.    

            

Lance Corporal Tunraluk receiving the award for Most Improved Cadet.

I had the honour of delivering the closing remarks near the end of the parade.  There were a lot of people & sponsors to thank.  These included the civilian instructors, volunteers, parents, the Hamlet Office, and the District Education Authority (DEA).  Of course, I couldn't forget thanking Geela, the former deputy mayor who acted as the parade's official translator.  Naturally, Eva Aariak was the first on the list.  To show our gratitude, Lt. May presented her with a 3045 hoodie on behalf of the corps.             

At the conclusion of my closing remarks, everyone stood for the playing of O Canada and the General Salute.  The Reviewing Party then departed from the gym.  The flag party retrieved their flags from the Dias and marched them off.  The remaining cadets were dismissed for the night.  Everyone headed to the reception area for coffee, tea, cookies, and cupcakes.  I spoke with Aariak after the parade and even had my picture taken with her.  This was my first time meeting her in person.  Unfortunately, I didn't get the opportunity to meet her when she was the premier, which was around the same time I was teaching in Iqaluit.

           

Lance Corporal Olayuk is presented with the Biathlon medal he won a few weeks before.

As families and friends slowly trickled out of the gym, the cadets stayed behind to clean the gym and reception area.  It was a good parade, but a little long compared to previous years.  With the ACR out of the way, I could now concentrate on the upcoming Skills Competition.

    

Posted photos of the ACR were taken by civilian volunteer, Jerome.