Emma Inookee, 19, plans a career with the Nunavut RCMP

The first Inuk in13 years to graduate from theRCMP'sAboriginal Pre-Cadet Training Program isdetermined to inspire others to follow in her footsteps and change the face of theNunavutRCMP.

"I know this is said a lot but I've always wanted to help people," says 19-year-old Emma Inookee.

Inookeeflirted briefly with the idea of becoming a nurse, but decided that a career in law-enforcement was the better choice for her.

"I fell in love with it," says Inookee, who has been through a number of RCMP training programs to date.

This summer she completed the RCMP's three-week pre-cadet training program in Regina, before heading to Iqaluit for another11 weeks in the field.

"It was a very challenging program to be honest," she admits. "Some days I just wanted to go home."

Despite the hurdles, she stuck with it, "because this is what I want to do for the rest of my life."

Connecting to the community

Born and raised in Iqaluit, Inookee's summer included some community connection.

On Monday and Tuesday this week, she's helping with a two-day bike rodeo at Joamie School, offering bike safety lessons to children aged six to 12 in partnership with the city's day camp.

"A lot of the kids in Iqaluit, first of all, do not wear a helmet and that's a big problem," says Inookee.

Despite thatpositive example, Inookee is aware that RCMP members in Nunavutneed to do more outreach work overall to showcase their role.

"We do not connect with the community unless there's a problem," says Inookee.

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Recruiting more Inuk officers

Earlier this year, Chief Supt. Michael Jeffrey acknowledged that his police force is a far cry from being racially representative of the communities it serves, but added that it will take "many generations" to make that happen.

Right now, there are 11 Inuit officers working with theRCMPall of them inIqaluit.

Plans to create an Inuit pre-cadet program with the Nunavut Arctic College have been put on hold because of a lack of capacity at the college. Nunavut RCMP says it's reaching out to youth who show interest in joining the force.

Const.LureneDillon, withNunavut'scommunity policing division, says a lot of theRCMP'scurrent programs focus on engaging youth.

Ten young people from across the territory are set to participate in nationalRCMPprograms this year: four will go to camp at depot, where new officers are trained, and six will take part in a first responders course.

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Recruiting Inuit staff and building cultural awareness are critical says Dillon, adding that Inuit staff can help others gain a better understanding of the issues in each community.

"It's important that every time the new member comes in whether or not they're from here or not, that they embrace that community," says Dillon.