Canada's Arctic Sovereignty – Denmark's Claims in the Arctic – May 2005 Denmark's Arctic Assets and Canada's Response – Sovereignty and Strategic Resources of the High Arctic Part 5 – Beefing up Canada's Arctic Presence – Recruiting Inuit Rangers Continual Habitation of Greenland – Denmark's Strongest Card in the Arctic 
Greenland is a large island covered almost entirely by a thick ice sheet. Surrounding almost all of this central ice mass are an array of coastal communities inhabited by people of Inuit
descent. Denmark has provided these communities with pre- fabricated housing. Readily apparent in photos of these small communities is the Danish traditions of modest, well - kept
homes, and well-maintained machinery. Elders remember a time when their people would travel across the frozen strait to hunt on Ellesmere Island. These testimonies will be noted by any
international body called upon to weigh Canada's claims to sovereignty over the High Arctic.The 'Sirius Patrol' of Greenland – Danish Special Forces in the High Arctic 
The topmost Northeast portion of Greenland is largely uninhabited. The territory is comprised of a large area of preserved parkland. For sixty years, the Danes have monitored and protected
this icy land using special forces, traveling by dog sledge and sea kayak. Sirius Patrol keeps a two-man team present in
the area year-round. These rugged men monitor Danish sovereignty.
The dogs are bred expecially to pull the sledges and work with the personnel of the Sirius Patrol. As they are being raised, the sled dog pups are judged by their disposition. Any young pup that
shows the least aggression towards its human handlers is put down. No one on patrol during a polar winter can afford an injury while breaking up a fight. The Sirius Patrol, named after the
'Dog Star', never travels by powered vehicles. If you are pinned down by wind and cold for days at a time, you
can't eat a Skidoo.
Fortunately, a Canadian invented the skidoo, so we have no qualms about using these motorized vehicles for patrolling Canadian territory ' North of 60 '. As in other remote areas,
in the Arctic, the Canadian Forces maintains an impressive force of Reservists called the Canadian Rangers, recognizable from their bright, red apparel. In the eastern Arctic, most
Rangers are Inuit who bring with them unique skills, rooted in the local methods of finding and killing prey in this tough land.
Inuit can orienteer in terrain that any Southerner would find almost featureless. They have mastered the skills of stalking fleet prey animals. This is exactly the set of skills that can be readily
transferred, when needed, for military purposes. Using bolt-action rifles (long range weapons which still work at the coldest temperatures), Inuit Rangers have the stamina to lie in
wait for their prey for hours or days. Rangers are among the elite marksmen of the Canadian Forces. Also, Inuit hunters can stand stock-still over seals' breathing holes, waiting for these little
bundles of protein and fat to pop up and draw breath. Success brings food for an entire family.
Because of our frenetic culture, Southerners find it almost impossible to be still for more than a few minutes. But, what we lack in inner stillness, we make up for with our astounding
technology. With a satellite system that circles the globe, we can accurately pinpoint the location of an individual on the surface of the earth to within five metres.
Regular Canadian Forces carry out exercises with Rangers, teaching them how to use devices, such as GPS locators.
By combining the many technologies of the 'South' with all the traditional skills of the Inuit people, the Canadian Forces could occupy our Arctic – not just
monitor it with UAVs or perform the occasional air force fly-over – but people it. With the right gear,
 Rangers and other members of the CF
(along with scientists and environmental regulatory officers) could move back and forth over this vast, barren territory – especially Ellesmere Island and the rest of the High Arctic
– travelling between Alert and Resolute, using skidoos or sledges on snow, and kayaks or RHIBs on the open water – present during all four seasons.Recruiting the Next Generation of Rangers to Patrol and Occupy the High Arctic To support the Canadian claims of sovereignty over our High Arctic, to patrol the upper reaches of Nunavut during every season of the year, Canada needs to recruit many more Inuit as Canadian Rangers CF Reservists. Already in place is the cadet  program known as Junior Rangers. As these young men and
 women mature, they will develop the
traits that make for an elite Ranger – diligence, patience, and robust health. Fortunately,it is among our indigenous communities where we find the highest percentage of young people between 15 and 24 years of age. This is where recruiters should be looking for the next generation of Canadian Forces personnel. [ Update: Although politicians love posing with the red-garbed Canadian Rangers and the CF relies upon them absolutely during Arctic exercises, DND can't seem to stay focused on supplying these Reservists with even the most basic equipment. A case in point is the stalled Canadian Ranger Rifle Project to provide a new weapon.] CASR | Arctic Viking | Arctic Futures | In Detail | Arctic Empires | BG |