Hooked on elders
Planning is in the works for the second annual Elder's Fishing Derby in Rankin Inlet on May 7 and 8.
The derby is sponsored by the Pulaarvik Kablu Friendship Centre in Rankin with support from other local entities.
The centre has a tentative budget for the event of about $15,000 for the two days, which will include transportation, hiring, cooks, snacks, supplies and either prizes or a gift bag for each elder.
Derby co-ordinator Jamesie Alariaq said the friendship centre hopes to build upon the success of the inaugural Elder's Fishing Derby in 2023.
Alariaq said the elder's derby was well-received this past year, with an average of 25 elders out fishing each day.
He said the centre sets-up a fishing spot on Meliadine Lake and transports the elders who sign-up for the derby via a bus ride to the lake.
“Once they get to the lake, we shuttle them from the bus to the fishing spots by Ski-Doo and ATV,” said Alariaq.
“Basically, they fish all day and we hire a couple of cooks to prepare their meals for them while they're out there. We also have snacks and refreshments available to them.
“This year, we're going to have a couple of frames there for cook tents, as well as a couple of Eskimo pop-up tents for rest room services.”
At the time of the interview, Alariaq said there are still a few final details and partnerships to, hopefully, be worked-out before the derby begins.
He said although not mandatory, each elder is allowed to bring a helper with them if they so desire.
“If they want to bring a preferred helper with them, like one of their children or a grandchild, for example, that's perfectly fine, as long as they're not too young.
“They have to be physically able to help them,
“We're still, very much, in the planning-and-preparation stage, but I'm sure we'll have everything worked out in time.
“We're, basically, going to do it the exact same way as we did it last year, only, this year, we'll be a little bit better prepared. We know the areas where we needed improving upon from last year, so that's what we're concentrating on for this year's derby.”
Darrell Greer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Kivalliq News
