Way Way Up

Requiem

2010-10-06T18:57:00.006-04:00

By now I'm sure it's painfully obvious that keeping up with this blog has become increasingly difficult do to time constraints and increasing family obligations. During the time of this blog, and indeed the entire time (6 years) I resided in Nunavut, I was blessed with many experiences, trials and tribulations. I was fortunate to see and experience a part of Canada that few people are able to. By Nunavut standards I am now a southerner of sorts, here in Fort McMurray, Alberta enjoying our first house with a loving fiancee and a growing (and busy) family.

I've said a lot and have had a lot said in return on this blog in the form of the many comments I've received over the years. I was pleasantly surprised to see that some posts, written as much as two years ago, still generate commentary. Who knew? I've also had the odd interview and published article along the way.

In six years, I lived in a couple different communities and saw a good deal of Baffin Island, or at least as much as is possible to see from a plane, a snowmobile or a pair of size 10 Sorels. I witnessed some fantastic views, ate some unique foods, went on the odd rant, jumped in the ocean and struck gold.

To finish off I'd like to thank and wish best wishes to everyone I encountered along my Nunavut journey. It was a fantastic 6 years of my life encompassing over half my professional career. I recall my first day, back in July 2003 as my jet was landing in Iqaluit. The aircraft had to declare a missed approach as circle around again for a second landing attempt. A someone who had flown quite a bit in many types of aircraft and flying conditions, I was a little taken aback. I remember asking myself just what I thought I was getting into. Six plus years years later, I can answer that question: I was about to embark on a most wonderful adventure full of unique and wonderful people....an experience I have never regretted, and something I always look back upon with a good deal of pride.

Taima.

Calling All Writers

2010-09-22T18:53:00.002-04:00

A short time ago I became aware of a new northern periodical, NorthWord, a twice-yearly publication, based out of Fort McMurray. While I find myself pressed, I hope to be able to make the odd contribution. In the past, I've made a modest contribution to a BC-based publication as well as the local newspaper back where I grew up in Ontario, so I relish the opportunity (time permitting) to put pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard as the case may be, and see what I can come up with.

Each edition has a theme (for the upcoming issue, it is, not suprisingly considering the time of year, "migration." Given that I've spent the last 10 years all over the North, I can certainly relate to this theme. I just have to sit down and hash out a good yarn. Submissions don't necessarily have to be about the North but will be given preference. So....If you're interested (and how could you not be?) you can find further information on the magazine's website, here.. They even have their own Facebook page.

Bans, Wasps and Apologies

2010-08-19T19:30:00.003-04:00

Anyone whose followed this blog for any length of time will know that I whole-heartedly welcome this news regarding a proposed EU seal ban. Of course they will say that it isn't directed specifically at Inuit but at the end of the day a ban would definitely affect them. I'm sure this news has brought some gritting of teeth and hand ringing to some people, but then I see stories of some Europeans deliberately running with bulls and well...if your silly enough to do that I suppose a ban somehow makes some sort of sense.....

Seeing wasps in the High Arctic caught my attention though its something I've been aware of for the past 2 or 3 years, having seen them myself as well as some interesting pictures of them on a couple other northern blobs I frequent.

I also note with interest the federal government's apology for the forced relocation of Inuit families back in the 1950's. For me this wasn't just something I read about in history books. I got some sense of it all from my time spent in Arctic Bay, one of the communities affected by this bureaucratic decision. For anyone interested in more information, I highly recommend the book Tammarniit (Mistakes).

Close Encounters

2010-08-15T07:00:00.000-04:00

While I had a few close encounters with polar bears when I lived in Nunavut, I have to admit none of the were quite like this. It bears pointing out(sorry for the pun)that generally bears will take great pains to avoid human contact and that most encounters occur when we as humans encroach on their territory. The only serious attack I heard about during the time I lived up there occurred in 2003 when an Inuk guide was attacked in his tent at night while leading a hunting expedition. The man did survive, but needed a couple hundred stitches and staples to close to wounds to his scalp.

I recall coming across a black bear in Fort Smith 10 years ago, but fortunately for me, the bear showed much more interest in the berries it was eating than in me and I was able to beat a hasty retreat with nothing more than an elevated heart rate and a good northern tale.

While polar bears make for iconic northern photos, you always have to use your head. It's good to hear this encounter turned out safely for both human and bear.

New Blog

2010-08-14T11:51:00.004-04:00

Its been quite a while since I've added a new blog to the sidebar. Courtesy of Bonnieupnorth (another Alberta/Nunavut blog by the way), I give you The Amazing Tails of Jasper and Jack, Alaskan bloggers, who if I've got it correctly are friends of Bonnie's daughter.

While I have to admit I'm not as familiar with Alaskan blogs as the ones from Canada's 3 northern territories, I do have to admit a certain captivation with the state. It is high up on my list of places to see and I've bounced the idea of taking an Alaskan cruise of my fiancee. And to my delight, she is just as enthusiastic about it as I am. At any rate, be sure to check out this new Alaskan addition to the sidebar if you have the opportunity.

Investigator

2010-07-29T19:30:00.002-04:00

I've been having a pretty busy summer and haven't been following much in the way of news as much as I usually would. News about the recent discovery of the HMS Investigator has caught my attention, history buff and northern enthusiast that I am. There's more happening in our Arctic than most people would realize from reading the mainstream media. It's refreshing to see a story that isn't about social or government issues or Parliamentary rows over arctic sovereignty issues.

Adjustments

2010-07-13T02:11:00.006-04:00

This is actually a post I had been playing around with in my head for some time now but never seemed to find the time to put down on paper, or the screen as it were. Having followed the Nunavut blogging scene from its infancy 5 years ago up to now, I've seen a lot of changes as people have come and gone or even moved to different communities within the territory. Perhaps the most entertaining blog I've followed was Jen of Nunavut. If you're not familiar with it, I highly recommend stopping by for the photography and wit. Jen has since moved on to Ontario but still writes warmly about Nunavut on her new blog. Anyhow, I was reminded about getting on about doing this post after seeing the first two photos of this post here as well as reading up on Jaime's blog as she prepares for her move south. And, since I'm doing up more links than a German sausage I highly recommend this very thorough and well-written post if you're curious about making the move up to Nunavut.

Thinking back now to July 21, 2003, when I first moved to Nunavut I find it funny that at the time I spent a great deal of time pondering all the changes and adjustments I would have to make. (I had made my career to this point in several small northern communities across Canada, but Nunavut was something else entirely.) What I never really thought about was all the changes and adjustments I would have to make once I left Nunavut. Perhaps this is understandable after all since when I landed in Iqaluit on that fateful July day I had no idea I would spend the next 6 years of my life on Baffin Island. At the time, I was thinking within the confines of a 2-year time frame.

Perhaps changes are pretty obvious of course like climate and lack of 24-daylight (and darkness) so I don't need to elaborate. Other things might come across as a bit strange and may only be fully understood by someone who has spent a portion of their life north of that magical line known as the Arctic Circle. So here, in no particular order are some of the things I've had to adjust to over the past year.

1)Anonymity - Sometimes I like this and sometimes I don't. I don't really pay much attention to this anymore but initially I found it a bit strange that I could spend the better part of a day downtown or in some of the other civic places where people tend to gather and (aside from my family) not recognize or be acknowledged by a single person.

2)Cell phones - Yes, I'll admit straight off that I can be a bit of a Luddite. Cell phones confused the hell out of me at first. I only got one because my fiancee and I had a heck of a time getting our land line set up when we moved to northern Alberta and needed a phone of some sort to help us out in the interim. I suppose I can be forgiven a little since while I lived in Nunavut, there was no cell phone service available outside of the capital of Iqaluit. AND I know for a fact that I annoyed the heck out of my fiancee with all my cell phone questions and the pushing of wrong buttons. But I started sending my own text messages a couple weeks ago and for those who know my level of technology skills, that's real progress.

3)Access to goods and services - Fort McMurray isn't Edmonton when it comes to selection and shopping options but it is a significant change from living in places with only two stores. I now live within walking distance of 2 major grocery stores, 3 gas stations, 3 liquor stores, 4 schools and an insane number of dentist offices. As a result of all this, I've had to re-learn how to bargain shop....and this leads nicely into the next item....

4)Re-learning about money - Okay maybe not totally re-learning but as I mentioned earlier I became accustomed to dealing with 2 stores, though occasionally I did order online. Having accepted high prices as normal everyday thing, I had to be careful moving to a community of 80,000. Prices here are a tad high by Alberta standards but from my perspective there were many times I thought I was getting a great deal when I really wasn't. Thankfully I have my wonderful fiancee to help me out with this.

5)Busy busy - This place is on the go 24/7. You know you've been ruralized when you secretly congratulate yourself on successfully crossing 6 lanes of Fort McMurray traffic without getting squashed one of those big Diversified buses that are seemingly everywhere transporting people to and from all the big oil sands projects. Speaking of buses....

6) Negotiating bus routes - Lisa does the driving and I last dealt with city buses while attending university. Windsor, Ontario is good in that much of downtown and commercial areas are laid out in a grid system. Here, its a bit more confusing with a lot of twisty roads and routes that wrap around each other, like an unruly ball of yarn. A couple of times I've misread route maps but I've managed to catch my mistakes before winding up too far from my intended destination.

7) You lived where?! - Isn't so much of an adjustment as an observation. I always get a kick out of people when I try to describe to them where I used to live. At times, this has led to a bit of "He-man" complex on my part. We hit a patch of -40C weather last December and I'm sure I smile smugly at a few people who commented about how cold the weather felt to them. "Oh, -40 is nothing. Trust me. This one time in Nunavut....."

Wish I Was There

2010-06-30T17:31:00.002-04:00

I know I'm a little late off the draw with this but as a former Windsorite I have to wish a hearty congratulations to the Windsor Spitfires on their back-to-back Memorial Cup wins (can you say DYNASTY?!) It's been a few years since I've been back to the Windsor area and this story makes me wish I was there for tomorrow's Canada Day parade (though I'm sure it will be a good show here in Fort McMurray).

The Stanley Cup and the Memorial Cup together for the first time in the same parade is pretty cool you have to admit. Plus, it wasn't won by Detroit for a nice change. (I have to admit I never really liked the team, plus, all the media coverage coming from across the Detroit River did little to endear me to them.) I also like that Chicago coach (and former Windsor Spitfire coach) Joel Quenneville is a Windsor boy and that he happens to share his surname with a certain lovely fiancee of mine.

Congrats Robbie!

2010-06-28T06:00:00.000-04:00

On a more uplifting note, it is with a great amount of pride that I congratulate Robbie Qammanirq on his recent graduation from Trent University. I never had the opportunity to meet Robbie while I lived in Arctic Bay but being such a small place I met plenty family members and friends and certainly heard much about the young man and the challenges he had to overcome. Coming from such a small place and adjusting to life in a large urban centre is no small barrier to overcome. Speaking from my own experience, after spending a decade in several small northern Canadian communities, adjusting to a new life in a city of 80, 000+ was trying at times. I can only imagine what it would be like for someone who has spent their entire life in a small place.

And I'm sure there will be plenty of idiots out there who will seize on this event simply to bash the North, education policy, the fact their underwear is on too tight and what have you. The simple truth is that relocating 2000 miles to attain a university degree is damn hard and Robbie should be commended for his grit and determination.

For more media coverage you can find the Nunatsiaq News article here and a story from CHEX Newswatch here. A big thank you to Nunavut MLA Ron Elliott and fellow Alberta/Nunavut blogger Bonnieupnorth for bringing this story to my attention.

Returning From Whence They Came

2010-06-27T13:47:00.003-04:00

Initially I wasn't going to comment on this but then I read Morena's post and well, if you've followed this blog for any length of time you know I never pass on an opportunity to rail against stupidity. Poor Ontario, earthquakes, tornadoes and then senseless violence brought on by protesters at the G20.

I grew up as a child of small business owners. Trust me on this....there is no secret conspiracy between government and business. I'll say it again....there is no secret conspiracy between government and business. Why then these violent protesters think they will accomplish anything productive by rampaging through downtown Toronto breaking shop windows and destroying property is beyond me. It's beyond disgusting that a group of cowardly thugs feel they have a right to endanger private property and an individual's right to run a business and carry on their livelihood. Yes, I realize that not all businesses affected are small "mom and pop" shops (I'm sure the big banks in the financial section of Toronto were specifically targeted) but surely some of them were. Replacing broken windows and signage surely isn't cheap. I'd be curious to know how many of these reprobates are in business for themselves. Probably none.

To the protesters I simply say this: Sorry, but if you are going to break, burn and pillage rather than protest peacefully, you belong in jail. Simple. And please don't ramble on against how police tactics are indicative of 1930's Nazi Germany. The two are simply not comparable. Kindly grow a brain, grab a history book and educate yourself before spouting off your tired old left-wing rhetoric.

Heck, if you want to protest. Go right ahead. But there are much more productive (and civil) ways of doing so. Don't take your rage out on people who are simply trying to earn a living.

I should add that I found it amusing to read that a group of protesters had found their way into Toronto's sewage system. Returning from whence they came I can only assume. Hopefully they stay there. Perhaps a few police will be so kind as to pick up a welding torch and make sure these protesters are snug in their new homes.

Water Woes

2010-05-28T09:27:00.003-04:00

This recent news item on the state of water on Aboriginal reserves caught my attention because I can certainly relate to it. I once lived in a northern Manitoba community that was on a "boil water" for much of the time I was there. There are times (particularly in the spring) where I know some communities will issue an advisory simply because of spring run off, a common thing that usually doesn't last all that long. Fort Smith is an examply of this and if I recall correctly the advisory lasted for perhaps a week. No big deal.

The situation I faced in northern Manitoba was much different. The water problems were brought on primarily due to changed water levels in the lake resulting from damming projects courtesy of Manitoba Hydro and an ageing water plant that couldn't keep up with demand.* I spent a good chunk of time and energy boiling my water in a big pot on the stove which sadly became routine. By the time winter rolled around (and we got a great deal of snow that year), I was so tired of using boiled water for my morning coffee that I resorted to boiling snow on occassion (being very careful to avoid yellow or other discoloured areas when collecting snow for my pot of course.) Other than being a pain in the butt, the water aggrevated my skin over time. I developed a couple rashes and it didn't do any favours for my psoriasis either.

I'm feel fortunate looking back that at least my house had pipes and a flush toilet. About half of the community didn't. In fact, most of the students I taught that year had their only exposure to flush toilets at either the school or the adjacent nursing station. For the most part their houses had honey buckets, foul contraptions I would use out of necessity when camping but not something I would want to have to deal with on a daily basis.

All this is to say that this whole issue is not just an Aboriginal issue, a white issue, a black issue or a purple issue or whatever issue certain political ideologues on either side of the spectrum try to make it out to be. This is quite simply a human rights issue and its high time it was dealt with.

*Its my understanding that in the meantime, a new water treatment plant was constructed, but it brings little comfort to me now when I think back on all I had to endure that year.

Education Train Wreck Coming Through

2010-05-03T21:58:00.004-04:00

As I've hinted on my other blog, I know longer work for my current employer. As promised, I've decided to post my reasons here on this blog rather than sully my other blog with mention of my former employer's ineptitude. I've thought long and hard about what I am about to say. Something needs to be said.

When I moved to Janvier it was with the clear intention of staying awhile and putting down some roots. Sadly, this was not to be. While I had close to a decade of experience under my belt, the majority of it in Nunavut, I still found myself unprepared for my new work environment. I taught in one school (not in Nunavut, I should add) that was so horrid in terms of enforcing discipline that I felt it impossible to encounter a comparable situation in my career. How wrong I was.

Northland School Division is truly not a place I would recommend to any aspiring teacher to apply to. Understand that during my career I have suffered black eyes, broken bones, racism, vandalism and have had my house broken into. But at least I always felt supported and I always managed to find a way to get through. Not so for Northland School Division. And while I freely admit I've made my fair share of mistakes, I find it absolutely disgusting that I was never supported in my discipline efforts at my former "school".

Rather than enforce the school discipline policy, which was agreed to by all teaching staff, I should add, my former principal merely gave them a "talking to" before cycling them back into my class or worse yet, did nothing. Always, I was made to feel like I was the bad guy. I had a decade of northern experience under my belt. I felt like I could be a real asset to my school and the board. Each day became a struggle. When a student kicks at you and then returns the next day and announces to everyone that they can do whatever they please because they know there is nothing you can do to get them suspended, you know you're in for a long year. Emails to higher-ups expressing my concerns went unanswered. Clearly then, it was only a matter of time until I hit a very rough week. I ended up raising my voice too many times and parents complained. I was asked to take some time off by my board while they investigated things. After languishing for 3 weeks, during which time emails asking for more information on when I might hear a response went unanswered, I had had enough. I resigned. I can only lay the blame for this at the feet of Superintendent Pier de Paola, Assistant Superintendent Shelly Willier and F.R. Perin School Principal John Proctor. Computers, internet, SMART Boards and video conferencing are all wonderful gadgets to have and can have a real positive impact on the learning environment. But it is all for naught when that learning environment is poisoned by students who clearly shouldn't be in a "normal" classroom setting.

At the end of the day, students suffer. Kids that are keen to learn are handicapped by peers who couldn't care less about whether any learning takes place and by administrators who are more concerned about squeezing one more year in before retirement than with actually making a difference. Not only did I work at this school, but I had two children of my own in the school. Therefore, a healthy learning environment is very important to me. Unlike many families with kids at schools in Northland, at least I have the luxury of pulling my kids out and enrolling them in a real school in Fort McMurray, which we now obviously have.

Northland School Division has a hard time retaining staff. It's 4-year retention rate is less than half of the provincial average. With that kind of turn over, you know you're in trouble. (Visit this popular website advertising positions Canada-wide for any length of time and you begin to notice, the division always has a lot of positions to fill at the end of every school year.) Had I known this one simply fact, I quite likely would never have moved my family there. I also wish I had been told prior to coming here that during the previous year the school went through 3 principals and my class had 4 teachers. But I suppose the school board would be a little sensitive about THAT little detail raising its little head.

Initially I felt fortunate that we would be getting a nice board-supplied teacherage as not all communities within the board have them. It was one of the few 3-bedroom units the board had so we felt spoiled. I was told upon being hired that it was newly renovated and ready for us to move in. At 1700 square feet, it was downright palatial compared to some of the housing units I lived in in other northern communities when I was single. Of course, the housing office failed to mention a host of underlying issues with the house. Issues that became apparent within weeks of moving in. It started with major sewage issues, which I've mentioned on my Alberta blog. Our house was the only one with water and sewage tanks and a cracked sewage pipe meant that we had raw sewage backing up into the basement in the fall. Clearly, if you have 3 children in your house under the age of 6, this is not a good environment. Getting the problem resolved was a huge headache. As a result of this and also because the hamlet was inept when it came to filling our water tank and emptying our sewage tank, we went a span of two to three weeks when we couldn't use water in our house. Either we had no water or we did but we were getting sewage backup. I had to resort to buying some large plastic containers and filling them with water at the school so we could have water.

We put no small effort into turning the basement into a play area for the kids and in the event they couldn't even use it because of our fears of mold and bacterial contamination in the dry wall. It angers me beyond belief that the kids had to endure this because some idiot somewhere within the colossus of the school board failed to do their job properly. Also, our fridge went, our washing machine died on us and our furnace blew in February while I was out for a meeting in Edmonton. The school board has a very small crew for housing maintenance that is responsible for some 23 schools and 140 teacherages covering a massive chunk of Alberta. Of course these people do their best but that doesn't offer much comfort when it takes a few days to get hold of anyone and a few more days waiting for the problem to be dealt with.

Northland School Division, for those who may be unaware, has plenty of other problems to deal with. I like to think that the inquiry team's recommendations will lead to real change. I AM an optimist after all.

I read some of the problems Northland School Division faces in this news item here though and I have to admit to having serious doubts.

Logically, it makes little sense to have 23 small school schools spread out over a huge geographical area. Maintenance and communication are major issues. In mind there are only two real solutions. You could create a number of smaller boards with local control of education. This is already the case in many isolated communities in Northern Ontario. Local communities have a much better understanding and appreciation of students culture and needs than bureaucrats hundreds of kilometers away.

You could also split up the board and fold schools into surrounding school divisions. The communities of Fort MacKay, Anzac, Janvier and Conklin all lie within a 90 minute of drive of Fort McMurray. If you want more efficient service, communication and appreciation for what its like "on the ground", it makes more sense to make them part of the Fort McMurray School Board than have them under a board headquartered an 8-9 hour drive away in Peace River.

I know there are people out there that will simply dismiss my rant as sour grapes. The one thing I've always tried to stick to in life, though, is telling the truth. And frankly, if this makes some people feel embarrassed or uncomfortable, then so be it.

From Long Ago

2010-04-15T18:00:00.001-04:00

I absolutely love old black and white photos, particularly ones from Arctic places. They just have such a timeless quality to them. When I came across a batch of old photos while poking around online (thanks Clare) I just had to take a peak. If I'm not mistaken, these little gems are from the private collection of former RCMP officer Finley McInnes, who was posted to Pond Inlet in the 1920's. The collection is now housed in the archives of the University of Alberta. More photos can be viewed here. The photos below are from Arctic Bay and area and date from c1937.

I believe these are part of the St. George Society Cliffs in Adams Sound.

A view of Admiralty Inlet.

King George V Mountain -- a very familiar landmark

The old Hudson Bay Company post at Arctic Bay. I believe the original structure still stands in the town today.

This ship is the "Arctic". It was the first of 2 such-named ships to sale into the bay there.

Still Waiting For That Memo

2010-04-14T14:18:00.005-04:00

Just wanted to share a cartoon that was passed along to me.

Thanks Ron.

Seabirds And Climate Change

2010-03-29T17:04:00.005-04:00

This story caught my attention for a few reasons. Among them, the article references an area of Canada I used to live in, I have an interest in birds (though, admittedly I don't see many seabirds here in Northern Alberta) and it involves a hot button issue (and it's not like I never touch on those on this blog). Silly as this may seem, back before I had even given a thought to Nunavut, let alone considered spending 6 years of my life there, I remember being quite surprised to discover that there were birds of any kind there. Afterall, I knew there were few if any trees at that latitude so where exactly would all these birds supposed to nest? The answer of course is cliffs and rocky shorelines, which according to the above news report, are threatened by erosion brought on by climate change.

I know the debate here can get pretty vitriolic and I'd rather stay out of all the political silliness involved as well. I've included below a few pictures to give you an idea of what the shoreline looks along the south eastern coast of Baffin Island. I never had a chance to visit Qaquluit mentioned in the article but I did get down to Kingnelling Fiord, where these pictures were taken in the fall of 2004.

Proposed Ban On Polar Bear Trade Defeated

2010-03-21T09:38:00.003-04:00

I've been meaning to comment on this recent headline regarding polar bears for a few days now but haven't found the time until now. It seems that the polar bear has become the poster child in recent years for the climate change nuts and any other person who feels the need to bash Aboriginal hunters for "over hunting."

Groups like Polar Bears International and IFAW love to make the case that over hunting is a major threat. More mainstream groups such as the World Wildlife Federation mention over hunting, but more importantly, climate change, as a big problem facing sustainable polar bear populations. Actually Polar Bears International. IFAW and many other like-minded groups mention climate change as well but find they get more mileage for their causes by plugging the over hunting angle. Also, it helps if you portray polar bears as soft, cute and cuddly rather than as they actual are in the real world.*

Stats on bear populations vary depending on what source you want to look at but I decided to do some quick math with some of the numbers that are most commonly tossed around just to get an idea of what the situation is really like. Now depending on who you talk to, current international polar bear populations lie somewhere between 20,000 to 25,000. Let's be conservative and for the sake of argument, take the figure of 20,000 as accurate. Approximately 65% of the world's total number of polar bears are found in Canada. That's around 13,000 cuddly bears. It's important to mention that each community in Nunavut, where the bulk of Canada's bears are found uses a quota system for harvesting bears. Something like 300 bears are hunted for sport each year. 300...out of 13,000. That's about 2% of the population. Let's be honest, if the big threat here is climate change, as many alarmist groups emphatically state, then how is a trade ban going to solve things? I would submit that Canada has a much better management system in place than say that other large country across the top of the North Pole. Perhaps the alarmists should pay more attention to Russia.

Now, why US-based groups fighting to put a trade ban in place, fail to mention that a mere 2% of Canada's bear population is taken yearly through sport hunting, is interesting. I wonder why? I largely suspect that by having a ban in place, the US, by far, one of the world's major contributors to green house gas emissions, can give the impression of actually doing something. A ban is much cheaper, and consequently more political palatable to voters. It also draws attention away from issues surrounding drilling for oil in Alaska.

*Interestingly, the kids are here watching a DVD this morning and got pretty excited over a preview of a movie about Knut, the young polar bear raised in captivity. The preview mentions climate change rather than over hunting as a threat and, mean step-dad that I am, I pointed out to the kids that Knut is now fully grown, prone to follow his natural instincts to hunt and eat, and consequently, likely not the best of choices for a family pet.

Way Way Up Turns 4!

2010-03-19T07:00:00.003-04:00

Today I mark another anniversary as my little blog turns 4. I never thought I'd make it this long in the blogosphere, particularly last summer when I left Nunavut and moved out west to Alberta. While the number of posts has slowed a little, I apparently still have much to say (hopefully some of it is coherent and enlightening). 948 posts and I'm still here. Thanks again to my merry little band of followers and for all those who have taken the time to drop a comment. Thanks for your questions and correction and gentle criticisms. They help keep me on my toes.

Oh My God! Who's In Charge?

2010-03-15T00:01:00.004-04:00

My apologies for being woefully behind on my posts. There are a few issues I had been hoping to blog about but I've been distracted with a new house purchase and my stepson has had one doozy of a fever this weekend but one seemingly endless political drama caught my attention so here goes.

With a population of something like 32 000 people one could be forgiven for thinking not much goes on there politically. There are many issues though that deserve the attention of all Canadians let alone Nunavummiut...Arctic Sovereignty, North West Passage issues, resource and mineral development, the seal hunt, and climate change concerns spring to mind. It's easy to think that politics must be pretty boring. I've been out of the loop for a few months now, being out in Alberta, but I recall that after the last Nunavut election (for which I was present and eligible to vote in) there was a lot of tension between former Premier, Paul Okalik and incoming Premier, Eva Aariak. Every time I read a political story it seemed Okalik wasted no breath or opportunity to criticize Aareak in the Legislature.

I was hopeful that the former Premier (and it always gives me great pleasure to refer to Okalik as the "former" Premier) would come to his senses and get on with the task of working with his fellow MLA's to tackle the many issues the territory. Sadly, it seems Okalik would rather continue to grind political axes for the sake of scoring cheap political points. The whole tirade smacks of sour grapes. Not allowing a member to continue their statement is simply classless.

Among the many burrs lodged up his posterior, Okalik was concerned that no one was apparently in charge of the territory while Aareak was off attending the Olympic Games. I'm not aware of any law that a leader of any province or territory in Canada losses their authority once away from their home jurisdictions. According to Okalik, if you're a Premier of Nunavut and happen to fly out for a stint, you "leave your authority to make legal decisions for the territory at the border." HUH?? Now, perhaps the former Premier was just confused because to me this makes no sense. And even if what he said is true, the question remains "why is this even important? who cares?" Okalik's "concern" sounds like something that might be brought up in some tin pot African dictatorship. Oh look, the leader is away. Someone needs to be in charge. Hey, that someone should be me." Sadly, I a have few doubts that thoughts similar to this actually went through the man's brain.

Honest to God, it's silly garbage like this that cheapens politics even more than it already is. Grow up "former Premier." Your grandstanding is childish and idiotic to say the least. Frankly, much of what you're saying is illogical and makes no sense. Its sad that someone making such uneducated statements like this ever rose to the position of power you did.

So congratulations! You got your little hissy fit in and made some headlines. Now, could you kindly pull your head out of your ass and at least attempt to do your job?

Quiet Places

2010-03-07T07:00:00.001-05:00

As I mentioned in my last post, Arctic Bay had plenty of places to escape to. Nunavut is one giant piece of real estate, so finding your own little place to chill (sorry for the pun) is easy but also difficult. There is just so much to see and you'll never see it all. Uluksan Point was at the top of my list of quiet places to reflect, however, which got me to thinking about some of the other places I've experienced over the years. I mentioned some of them in my previous post so here are some visuals.

Slave River, Northwest Territories, August, 2000(?)

Looking out over South Indian Lake, Manitoba, September, 2001.

Lac La Loche, Saskatchewan, December, 2002.

Inuksuk overlooking Qikiqtarjuaq, Nunavut, July, 2003.

My Quiet Place

2010-03-06T07:00:00.001-05:00

View from Uluksan Point, July 2008

I've been lucky in that most places I've worked around the North had their share of great views. Places that drew me to them. Places I could go to be inspired. Quiet places where I could head to when necessary to relax, reflect and recharge. In Fort Smith, that place was the boardwalk overlooking the pelicans below the rapids of the Slave River. In South Indian Lake, it was the lake of course, where I would gaze up at some fantastic Northern Lights. In La Loche it was a quiet patch of shoreline behind the elementary school where I would watch glorious sunsets across the lake. In Qikiqtarjuaq, it was a large inuksuk, on a small granite knoll behind the Northern Store where, on clear summer days, I could see for great distances over much of the island. In Arctic Bay, there were many places. King George provided some awesome views, though of course getting up there required a little bit of work, which often defeated the purpose of relaxation. While I've posted many many pictures of King George V Mountain over the time I worked in Arctic Bay, an easier, and just as enjoyable place to head to for its calming effect (and some nice views too, I should add) was Uluksan Point. Here on a warm summer or fall day, I could sit in among the rocks, soak up the heat, enjoy great views of the mountain and ponder the remains of the qarmait (traditional houses) to be found there.

Ah, those dreamy days.

Ban Bordeaux?

2010-03-05T17:27:00.004-05:00

Nunavut MLA plans to introduce a motion calling for a ban on EU wines into Nunavut. This, in retaliation for the European Union's decision to ban Canadian seal products. Since a) I used to live in Nunavut and like to consider myself at least somewhat familiar with the importance of subsistence seal hunting to the lives of Nunavummiut and b) I have a passion for red wines, I found myself inexorably drawn to this issue.

While wine sales as a percentage of total alcohol sales have been slowly increasing over the past 10 years or so, Canada remains one of the few wine-producing nations in the world where domestic wines do not hold a dominant share of the market. Having grown up within a days' drive of all 3 of Ontario's major wine-producing areas, I know there is still pretty of room for the industry to grow and would love to see it do so. A ban on EU wines, not just into Nunavut, but into all of Canada could mean more sales for our own home-grown wines. According to the VQA, wine sales in Ontario tripled in value between 1997 and 2007, to almost $2 billion. Clearly, there is growing demand for Canadian wines.

Beyond mere nationalism, buying domestically helps to cut down on the amount of carbon emissions it takes to get that bottle of Bordeaux from some little vintner in France. Given how anal the EU has become on the climate change front, I'm sure they won't mind if more Canadians decided to buy from Niagara or the Okanagan rather than say Burgundy. The decision then is up to us whether or not we want a good domestic wine gracing our dinner table or some EU import. Personally, I've never understood the big deal over French or Italian wines. In the past year, I've had perhaps one bottle of Bordeaux, nothing to sneeze at. Personally I'd much spend my money on a home-grown wine from Colio's, Sandbanks, Chadsey's, Erie Shores, Black Prince, even Huff's. With all the New World wines, especially from Chile, Argentina and Australia, not to mention the United States, perhaps the EU should be careful about wanting to ban certain trade items. The French wine industry, not having the monopoly on the world wine market it once did, is facing stiffening competition from New World wine and (I say this with a smile) they struggle to compete at times. Yes, I know I'm ranting here. Bear with me. Don't worry though, EU, Canada is a fair country. We can always make "exemptions" and then blindly protest they will work even though history says otherwise....just like you guys do. Perhaps we should just ban French and Italian wines but make exemptions for Hungarian tokaj. I'm sure the EU will understand that.......

Grief, trying to make EU politicians grasp anything these days, I think I need a glass of wine myself. No wonder those guys drink so much. Anyhow, while I don't think a Nunavut ban on EU wines would be anything more than symbolic, one can always dream about what a wonderful world that would be.

Oh Canada!

2010-02-28T18:13:00.002-05:00

All I can say is what a game! Congratulations to both the Men and Women's Olympic hockey teams for delivering such stellar performances. By no means was it a cakewalk. The competition just keeps getting better year after year. Nice to see the teams rise to the occasion. It really doesn't get any better than Sidney Crosby scoring in overtime.

GO CANADA GO!!!

Shantha

2010-02-15T08:00:00.000-05:00

I randomly picked up a paper off a restaurant table last night after a meal. The paper caught my attention since its one that I used to see in Fort Smith, where I began my career 10 years ago. A couple pages in and I see news that as a teacher you hate to see. A student from my first school had passed away just a few days ago due to complications from pneumonia. It's really quite distressing. I never taught Shantha but I knew her for her hard work on the student council that year, her friendly, outgoing personality, and her sharp mind. Her fellow students thought so too. She was voted valedictorian of her graduating class at Paul W Kaeser High School in 2001. She was only 26 and had just recently moved to St. Albert with her husband to take up a new job as a crime analyst/social planner for the local Family and Community Support Services.

I recall the grad night vividly in my mind. The grads lined up and a big line of people walked by to congratulate them, parents, staff and community members alike. I remember shaking Shantha's hand and telling her how proud I was to hear that she was on her way to study for a criminology degree at university. I knew a few criminology majors when I was doing my undergrads - not an easy program by any means.

I've worked in a number of isolated communities so I know first-hand how tough it can be for a kid to break out and make something of themselves. While Fort Smith certainly had more going for it than most places I've worked in, it still suffered (unfairly I should add) from a bad rap. Shantha was making a life for herself which makes the news of her passing a particularly bitter pill to swallow. To me, Shantha is a shining example of what you can accomplish with drive, determination, good humour and the support of a loving family behind her.

You were a great person Shantha. I never taught you but considered it a great privilege to have worked with you and experienced your smiling personality!

My sincere condolences go out to the Rasiah family.

Just Let The Guy Compete Already!

2010-02-13T22:51:00.004-05:00

It never ceases to amaze me the little amount of respect that PETA and other anti-activists hold for their fellow human beings. Witness the tale of American figure skater Johnny Weir. He originally planned to stay in a Vancouver hotel during the Olympics but elected instead to stay in the athlete's village due to fears of threats from animal rights' activist groups like PETA and Friends of Animals. Weir's sin is that his flamboyant costumes involve animal fur, typically fox fur.

To PETA, and all the other protest groups, I say grow a brain! Keep your anti-establishment, anti-poverty, anti-RCMP, anti-fur, anti-colonial, anti-IMF, anti-World Bank, anti-G8, anti-conservative, anti-liberal garbage out of OUR Olympics. Funny how these activists make the case that nothing would ever get accomplished if you always listened to the naysayers. How pathetic that they don't extend this to a figure skater who simply choses to have his own unique style.

When You Get Out And See The World You Might Learn A Few Things

2010-02-09T00:14:00.002-05:00

Having read this little CBC news item on the wrap up of the G7 meeting in Iqaluit, the following little excerpt caught my attention --

Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer, Alistair Darling [could the man's name be any more British?], said while everyone felt privileged to come to a part of the world they may not have seen otherwise, the important thing was to discuss the world economy.

Sure, but if you stepped out from behind your desk in you little office and experienced the real world beyond that of suburbia, perhaps you'd have a better understanding of the gravity the decisions you make have on people in a far off corner of the world.

But that's just me.

Manners

2010-02-06T22:16:00.002-05:00

When I was a kid I was taught that when someone offers you something, particularly food, it's only good manners to accept it. It's a lesson I've taken with me for the past 35 years and its served me well no matter where I've traveled be it North Rustico, PEI, Fort Smith, NT, Gyor, Hungary or Karlovy Vary in the Czech Republic (pick any strudel in any restaurant.....I promise you won't be disappointed.) Unfortunately, a few European finance ministers left their manners at home and boycotted the feast ending the G7 ministers meeting in Iqaluit. Apparently, the feast featured many traditional foods, including seal. I guess for these ministers, politics trumps politeness. Very sad.

I wonder what went through some of their heads when the reporter mentioned in the CBC story asked them if they had learned anything about the importance of seals to Inuit culture during their stay. I wonder if the French Minister thought for a second about all the force fed geese back in his country. I wonder if the German Minister thought for a second about the boar hunt in his country. I wonder if the British Minister thought for even a second about all sheep in his country, turned into delicious mutton steaks every year. Given the tendency for Italian politicians to become entwined in sexual scandal, I don't even WANT to think what was going through the Italian Minister's mind. (Hopefully nothing to do with animals.)

Ok, guys. I get it. I really do. You cling to this silly self-righteous attitude. But don't pretend that some sort of silly exemption when it comes to your EU ban is going to make any difference. You can be ignorant all you want. But don't lie.

Northern Exposure

2010-02-03T20:43:00.002-05:00

While I haven't really commented on it yet, I have been following with interest the upcoming G7 meeting in Iqaluit. My feelings on the EU and their views of the Canadian seal hunt aside, it's nice to see the city of Iqaluit, Nunavut and Inuit culture get some international media exposure.

Elephant Pie

2010-02-01T19:31:00.002-05:00

Since I seem to be on a bit of a roll lately....

I read this story after work this afternoon about Lucy the Elephant and started thinking......banana cream pie....seal flipper pie.....elephant pie perhaps? Don't get me wrong. I don't want to see this pachyderm in distress if indeed that is the case. I just question PETA's timing on this. Heck, perhaps it was just a slow news day on the part of the CBC. (If PETA succeeds in getting Lucy moved and she dies in transit, would we hear about that in the news, I wonder?) Still, the thought of a nice big, steamy elephant pie flung right in the face of some PETA protester (or even an entire mouthy, misguided group of them for that matter) would be a nice touch.

A PETA Moron Gets Her Due

2010-01-30T22:29:00.004-05:00

When I read Townie Bastard's post suggesting PETA members needed to be given a taste of their own medicine when it comes to the whole "pie in the face" silliness, I admit I couldn't stop laughing. Really, if you are going to pie a Cabinet Minister, an East Coast Minister, you aren't going to make many friends in the Maritimes, regardless of your politics I would think. Pieing the President of PETA is on my life "to do" list. But I guess I'll take the pieing of some random PETA idiot for starters. I'm happy someone picked up on the idea of returning the favor to these wingnuts and followed through with it.

Emily Lavender, the pied protester in the CBC story, fits the description of the typical PETA nut job. She's young, idealistic and obviously clueless about the importance of the sealing industry to Newfoundland and the Maritimes. Really, if you're going to go and protest the seal hunt in downtown St. John's you're quite obviously lacking for brain cells. And she's from Vancouver too. Are you kidding me? Vancouver was recently ranked as the most expensive city on the planet to live in terms of housing costs. Why don't you go protest that instead, sweet heart?! My guess is that this MENSA genius got on a short bus intending to go off to some Olympic protest and wound up taking the wrong bus to St. John's instead.

Yes, I know I shouldn't stoop to her level and sure, this story has no doubt given her group media exposure they don't really need or deserve, but damn, it just feels nice to FINALLY see one of these loud mouthed imbeciles get their just deserts.....in this case pie.

Slow Return of the Sun

2010-01-24T10:30:00.000-05:00

Here's what it looks like around 3pm this time of year. Both pictures were taken in Arctic Bay, Nunavut on this date, one year ago at about 3pm. See? The whole idea of 6 straight months of darkness is pretty much a fiction.....unless you live right on top of the North Pole of course, but really who does?

The sun will be visible from the community in another couple weeks. With the day lengthening roughly 14 to 15 minutes a day, I didn't really find the long hours of darkness all that bad.

Will Somebody Please Stand Up?

2010-01-23T11:00:00.001-05:00

I'll tread carefully here since I'm wary about biting the hand that feeds me. A memo left on my desk (really, a small package of papers) was my first news that the local school board had been disbanded. Yesterday was one of those rare occasions when I was able to get my hands on a hard copy of a news paper. And there was the story on page two of the Edmonton Sun. The story made it into the Winnipeg Free Press though I can't seem to find the link I had to it. Even the Moose Jaw Times picked up the story. It didn't take long for the mud-slinging and finger-pointing to begin. I only had to wait for the CBC's follow-up article.

There are a lot of odd ideas floating around out there. So many so that I suspect that the commenters making them could benefit from a little schooling themselves. The provincial government, the Education Minister, corrupt unions, schools, parents, even the oil sands have been blamed.* Unfortunately, stories like this always seem to bring out the trolls with a bone to pick with Reserves. I should point out that only a very small percentage of Reserves, something in the neighbor of 5% if I recall correctly, are in receivership. Anyhow, the schools here are not reserve schools, but publicly-funded entities. They are not the broken down, resource-poor buildings that many may think. The school here was built in the mid-80's and is great shape. It is bright, sunny and open. In terms of the physical plant, it is one of the best buildings I've worked in. The majority of the schools have whiteboards and are wired for the internet. If the school here and the school up the road in Anzac are typical, classrooms have computers in them, providing easy access to many on-line learning resources. Speaking of resources, the one thing I am still adjusting to here is the amount of resources available. After teaching in a couple Nunavut schools, and a couple others too, I should add, the resources available are pretty amazing. I'm still digesting them all and often quip that a part-time secretary to help me speed up the process would be a great asset.

In terms of people, our locally-appointed board is wonderful. I see them on a daily basis and they are very approachable and dedicated. A couple of them have kids in my class. We have leadership on the adjacent Reserve that fully supports education here. And they back up their words with actions. The new chief is the first one to have completed high school. All the councillors have a high school education. Furthermore, the Chief passed a resolution to the effect that one must have a high school diploma in order to run for council or Chief. I'm sure he took a lot of heat from some but in a world where the concept of leading by example seems a lot art, I find this very respectable.

I hope I'm not going off on little tangents here. Having taught in the northern areas of 3 Canadian provinces, as well as two territories, I can safely say that the challenges faced here are not unique to Northland. Quite simply, there are no quick-fix solutions. Wildly doling out blame just to grind a political axe or feed one's prejudices serves no useful purpose.

*This last one amuses me considering that not all communities here lie within the oil patch. Susa Creek, the most westerly community within the board, lies at the foot of the Rockies, no where near the tar sands. Even if it did, I still fail to see the connection.

Nunie Winners For 2009

2010-01-22T17:46:00.002-05:00

The votes have all been tallied and Clare has announced the winners of the 2009 Nunie Awards. "Best Post 2009" goes to Newbie in the North, one of the new blogs to pop up this year, for her post "First Boating Trip". The post brings back pleasant memories of boating trips I took in Qikiqtarjuaq. I was fortunate enough to see a couple bowheads there (albeit from the shore) and I'm still kicking myself that I didn't have my camera with me that day. The history buff in me liked the mention of Pangnirtung's whaling past.

"Best New Blog 2009" went to The Arctic Post, a blog from one of Nunavut's smallest communities, Chesterfield Inlet. When I first began blogging it it seemed that most of the blogs were out of the Baffin region. It's nice to see how new blogs are popping up all over the territory now.

"Best Blog 2009" goes to Townie Bastard, blogging out of Iqaluit. This is the only blog on my sidebar, other than Clare's, that predates my own. I've seen a lot of blogs come and go over the last 4 years or so but not this one. A very deserving win.

I'd also like to take a moment and thank the people that voted for my blog. It suffered a little from the fact that I now reside in Nunavut in spirit rather than physically. Still I like to think I can pump out a good post or two every once in a while and I love how the Nunavut blogging community has blossomed, changed and grown over the past 4 years. A hearty congratulations go out to all winner and nominees. It is a honour indeed to be included in such company.

The Last Drop

2010-01-19T22:57:00.004-05:00

Having lived for a couple years in Qikiqtarjuaq (Broughton Island), this little recollection caught my attention. While it does serve to give a sense of the isolation faced by some of Canada's most northerly places. I found Harper's story interesting for a number of reasons. The Padloping Island the author mentions was once the site of a USAF WWII air base and a Canadian weather station. I never actually stepped foot on Padloping Island myself though I it was pointed out to me by a local elder once.

Kenn Harper, for those who don't know him, is well-known in Nunavut as a teacher, linguist, northern historian and businessman, who first went North in the 1960's. He remains there to this day. Not only did he spend time in Qikiqtarjuaq, but he was also one of the first teachers in Arctic Bay, the other Nunavut community I lived in. Ernie Lyall, mentioned later in the article, was the subject of an interesting book my parents bought for me a couple years ago, An Arctic Man. While chaperoning at a badminton tournament in Rankin Inlet not that long ago, I met one of Mr. Lyall's grandsons. Ernie Lyall also spent a period of time in Arctic Bay with the Hudson's Bay Company.

The North. It is a cold dark place in terms of its physical geography but also a small and intimate when considering its human element. The history of the place is always interesting too.

Don't Forget

2010-01-19T18:48:00.002-05:00

Just a friendly reminder that you can still vote for the 2009 Nunie Awards. Simply head here to cast your vote if you haven't done so already. There are still a couple voting days left.

The Importance Of A Good Breakfast

2010-01-15T20:13:00.005-05:00

When I was a kid starting out my day with a good breakfast was just part of the daily routine. It was something I could count on, like the rising and setting of the sun. As an adult, I must admit I've grown a bit lazy when it comes to starting off the day with a good morning meal. Ultimately, if I feel hungry mid-morning I can only blame my own stupidity. Sadly, a good breakfast is far from a reality for many children, as this news item here reminds us.

I taught at a couple different schools in Nunavut and in both their were breakfast programs, funded predominantly by the Brighter Futures program cited in the above-mentioned news item. At the time, I was under the impression that only school's in Nunavut's smaller, de-centralized communities had breakfast programs. A fellow Nunavut blogger once pointed out to me though, that this is not the case. All communities can benefit with a breakfast program but not all can afford to fully fund them. (I know one Nunavut politician made a fully-funded territory-wide breakfast program a major plank in his campaign during the last territorial election.) One might think that as Nunavut's largest community (and capital) Iqaluit wouldn't have a need for a breakfast program, given the amount of employment available there in relation to say Qikiqtarjuaq or Arctic Bay. Just not the case, as it turns out.

It needs to be pointed out that this is not just a Nunavut issue. I'm sure you could find students in major centres like Edmonton, Vancouver and Toronto (or any other Canadian city for that matter) that come to school on a daily basis without eating breakfast. Here in Janvier, we are fortunate to have a breakfast (and lunch) program at our school. It is generously funded by the oil companies. (The same companies which the protesters at the recent climate talks in Copenhagen say should simply pack up shop and leave Wood Buffalo. Ah, if only life were that simple.)

As a teacher and now a parent, this is an issue of some interest to me of course. I hear the argument that kids function well with something in their stomachs so it is important for schools to ensure a good start for their students. I hear that argument that parents have a responsibility to feed their kids and society shouldn't be burdened by the irresponsibility of parents. I hear many different arguments and often get it from both sides. While Tamara and Nicholas don't rely on the breakfast program to anything close to the extent of other children (teachers are well paid, despite what some would have you believe), we are thankful for the lunch program. It's not that we are unable to feed the kids, but rather its an issue of how the lunch hour at the school here is structured: 15 minutes for lunch followed by a 15-minute recess doesn't give enough time for the kids to get home, eat and back to the school.

As a teacher, I'm conscious of the fact that it seems that school are increasingly called upon to do more and more on top of educating. This is a tough issue for me. Part of me believes strongly in the idea of personal responsibility yet I have to acknowledge that when there is a well-run breakfast program in place, the classroom is full of happier, more alert students. I'm not sure that I really add anything coherent or original to this issue. The CBC article does remind me of how fortunate we are to be living here in Alberta.

2009 Nunies

2010-01-13T19:49:00.002-05:00

Voting is now underway for the 2009 Nunie Awards. You can visit Clare's blog to cast your vote for Best Blog, Best New Blog and Best Post. Voting is open until 5pm EST on January 21. The "Best New Blog" category has my attention and should be especially interesting. A few bloggers have left the territory in the past year and it's encouraging to see a number of new bloggers steeping into the breech. I'm up for "Best Blog" and "Best Post" so swing by and vote. Of course I'd love to have your vote but feel free to vote for any of the nominees. Just vote......vote now!!

The Secret Is Out

2010-01-11T22:40:00.003-05:00

When I first read this story about how Nunavut-caught arctic char is taking off in fine restaurants south of the border, my first thoughts were about the hypocrisy of the southern urban consumer. The image of an arctic char doesn't tug at the heart strings in quite the same way as a misty-eyed seal, even though both are valid food sources and have been in Northern climes for generations. Putting my initial thoughts aside though, it is nice to see a Nunavut resource making its mark. For those in the know, it comes as no real surprise.....arctic char makes for fantastic eating.

Arctic Bay 2005 (with snow)

2010-01-11T09:00:00.006-05:00

My Solution To Europe's Weather Issues

2010-01-09T17:53:00.004-05:00

Seems our European cousins are experiencing a rather frigid blast of winter at the moment. And I know I shouldn't find humour in this but......I do. I'd like to think that perhaps they might be more appreciative of why Inuit use seal skins to keep warm. Canada has plenty for sale. You should look into it. Seriously. I can vouch from personal experience that seal skin will definitely keep you warm in -40C weather. But, hey, it's only a suggestion. Ponder it while you eat nibble your frozen little baguette down by the Riviera.

Arctic Bay 2005

2010-01-09T00:01:00.006-05:00

A few pictures from my first year in Arctic Bay.

No Biggie

2010-01-05T22:09:00.004-05:00

I had two posts lined up for this evening depending on the outcome of the hockey game. I was hoping the following post wouldn't see the light of day but it is what it is.

I have a simple theory why Canada's Junior squad didn't win the gold this time round -- I didn't watch the game. The last 5 years I've watched the tournament pretty much in its entirety and the Canadians wound up coming out on top. (A couple years I really had to rush to get to my hotel in Iqaluit before the start of the game.....it wasn't pretty but somehow I managed to pull it off.) Okay, I know its a little more complicated than that but like I said, its just a theory. As my roommate and I discussed last year, 5 golds in a row is a fantastic accomplishment. There is always great pressure on each succeeding team to keep the streak going. Unfortunately, a time will come when they will lose. It sucks but that's just the way it goes. Hopefully the country doesn't go into a state of mourning over the lose.....really, there's no need to. Let's face it - since 1977, the U.S has won gold twice. Sure, both times they beat Canada to do it, but big deal. Canada has 15 gold medals and has won something like 25 medals in total...the US has 6 medals by my count. A U.S. victory will give the tournament a good boost in the American media, just in time for next year's tourney in Buffalo.

I should also add to that its refreshing to see that the so-called experts were way off when it came to who would finish where. No Canada- Sweden-Russia finish as predicted. A little shake up once in awhile is a good thing for the sport. And, hats off to Switzerland for beating Team Russia. Who would have thought? No friendly barbs to my Aunt Janice over in Switzerland this year. Beating a super power like the Russians gets my respect.

Return of the Nunies

2010-01-03T13:18:00.002-05:00

Once again, its that time of year. Clare has announced the start of the Nunie Awards. For those who may be unaware, this is the Academy Awards for the Nunavut blogging world. The past year has seen a number of new blogs start which should make this friendly competition very interesting. If the format is similar to the past couple of years, there will be awards for "Best Post", "Best New Blog" and of course, "Best Blog". Stay tuned to Clare's blog for details.

Feel free to nominate my blog if you wish. Don't let my anti-seal hunt rants scare you off. Really, I'm a nice guy.

Qikiqtarjuaq 2004

2010-01-01T16:29:00.008-05:00

Since I continue to be in photo review mode, here are a few more photos of Qikiqtarjuaq and area.

Kingnelling Fiord

The DEW Line station (FOX-5) as it existed in 2004. It no longer exists today.

Qikiqtarjuaq 2003

2009-12-30T16:52:00.008-05:00

I found myself looking through a few of my old pictures from Nunavut earlier today and thought I'd share a few from my first year in Qikiqtarjuaq (Broughton Island). I loved taking pictures there since the mountains provided great contrasts of light and dark on the land. I liked how the first few of these pictures turned out considering their age and that they are all scans.

I Can Smell The Hypocrisy Over That Dead Whale Smell

2009-12-29T11:20:00.002-05:00

Two groups of stranded whales. Opposite sides of the planet. The reaction to their fate - also diametrically opposed. In both cases, you have Mother Nature taking its course, yet I find it interesting how the two groups of people involved can be treated so differently. When there are beached whales in New Zealand, they are "euthanized". No doubt the would-be rescuers will be seen by some as heroes.

When you have stranded whales in a different part of the world, the people there are demonized even though in this case, the meat from the whales will actually be used for a purpose more noble than scientific research.

On a somewhat related note, I happened across this little gem of a post and smiled.

Darcy Steele, OCT

2009-12-28T07:00:00.001-05:00

One of the things I had to do when applying for my Alberta teaching license was to renew my Ontario teaching certificate. I had let it lapse a few years ago since I had been teaching up in Nunavut and it didn't make sense to pay a yearly fee for something I didn't need. Anyhow, when I got back in touch with the Ontario College of Teachers it was to discover that (as of September 2009) Ontario became the first jurisdiction in Canada in which teachers have a professional designation. Apparently, this move was approved in September of 2008. (I've been a bit slow when it comes to keeping up to date on news in my home province, I know). Just like politicians and lawyers, Ontario teachers can now put some fancy letters behind their names. I'm sure there is a good joke lurking in there somewhere.

Now that I've renewed my Ontario teaching certification, I am now enabled to use the letters "OCT" (Ontario Certified Teacher) after my name. The catch (isn't there always a catch?) is that I have to keep in the College's good graces by paying my annual fees.) I'm not really sure how much I'll use the new designation but it is a neat little thing to be able to have on the old resume.

A Christmas Tradition

2009-12-26T07:00:00.000-05:00

One thing I've done over the holiday season for as long as I can remember is watching the World Junior Championships. Usually with a combination of luck and skill I can catch the bulk of the games on television. One year found me racing against time to get off my flight in Iqaluit and into my hotel just in time to watch the gold medal match between Canada and Sweden.

This year's tournament will be of interest to me for a couple of reasons. Not only will Canada be playing for a record-breaking 6th consecutive gold medal but the roster boasts 4 players from Windsor Spitfires. As a former Windsorite, I love it. I have to admit I haven't followed all the hype and analysis leading up to the tournament but the teams' one forward line of 3 Spitfires should turn some heads over the next several days. I'd beg, borrow or steal a ride to Saskatoon to catch some live matches if my fiance wouldn't disown me.

I'm happy to see that the 2012 tourney will be played here in Alberta! With luck I'll get down to Edmonton to catch a game with the kids. What a fantastic way to carry on a childhood tradition.

A Christmas Wish

2009-12-24T20:53:00.003-05:00

I read with interest with how the federal government plans to counter anti-seal hunt propaganda. While it's nice to see the federal government stepping things up I have to wonder whether it might be a little bit too late. My Christmas wish this year is for all these idiotic protest groups to grow and brain, get a life and disappear, especially after hearing about idiocy like this and of course this story from back when I lived in Nunavut.

sigh....what a perfect wish....and what a better world it would be!

Merry Christmas everyone!

The Cost Of Change

2009-12-16T02:14:00.003-05:00

As with other economically disadvantaged regions of the planet, paying the costs to adapt to climate change will be a challenge for Nunavut. I like to think that all these protesters in Copenhagen, many of whom I'm guessing come from more wealthier nations of the planet, will follow their own advice and help pay for all the changes that they are advocating for. (Sorry for the short post, but I think a flying pig just hit the side of my house.....I must go out and investigate.)

Arctic Bay West Side Community Hall

2009-12-13T07:00:00.001-05:00

It's pretty rare that I am able to do a current events update on Arctic Bay since I no longer reside there. Occasionally though, I luck out. During the last few months that I lived there, a new and much-needed community hall was under construction down the hill from my apartment. I am glad to hear news of its completion and only wish I could have been there to see the finished product in person. The facility fills a definite gap in local infrastructure. Recently, the building had its grand opening. The first three photos are courtesy of High Arctic MLA, Ron Elliott.

Here, Ron stands with the Inuujaq School grad (and former student of mine) who won the contest to name the new facility.

The two photos below are exterior shots from this past Spring when the building was still being constructed.

Dave

2009-12-12T08:25:00.002-05:00

Dave was a real character. His silly jokes and wacky sense of humour never failed to put a smile on my face. (His Elvis impersonations are without equal). I've known Dave for most of my life. When I was much younger, growing up in Campbellford, he dated my mother's younger sister. After awhile, my younger sisters and I began referring to him as Uncle Dave even though technically he wasn't. He was, and remains, the only non-relative I ever addressed by such familial terms. He livened up the house whenever he was around. It never mattered what mood you were in before Dave arrived, after he left you always felt energized and cheery and ready to tackle whatever challenges life would throw at you. I know I sure did. Even after Dave and my aunt parted ways, he remained "Uncle Dave". Dave was a great friend to my parents and was a big part of their wedding. He was just one of those people you grow up around feeling that they will be there forever. Which is why the news that he had passed away from a sudden heart attack early yesterday comes as a great shock.

It's really hard to know what to say......2 weeks to the day before Christmas and his wife Jean and 3 kids are without a husband and father. My thoughts and prayers go out to them during this time.

Inuit Hopeful For Green House Gas Exemption

2009-12-11T09:30:00.003-05:00

I read this story yesterday about Inuit wanting an exemption for the Circumpolar World when it comes to cuts to greenhouse gases and wondered why the big kerfuffle. It's not like there are tons of factories and heavily polluting industries up there as there are in other parts of the world.

A Taste of Seal

2009-12-02T23:32:00.003-05:00

I saw this news item on Canadian politicians thumbing their nose at the European Union. I just got off a plane from Peace River earlier this evening so I'm a little more tired than usual. Otherwise I'd be able to comment further. Suffice it say, I had a big smile on my face after reading it though. I got quite the kick out of the one commenter who, in their infinite wisdom, compares seal hunting to bombing babies in Afghanistan. HUH?? Going from the guy's name though, he's an NDP supporter, so I suppose I shouldn't expect his logic to be operating within the realm of reality.

Just Grow A Brain And Apologize Already

2009-11-30T20:34:00.003-05:00

In my last post I talked about how the former Premier violated the territory's Integrity Act when he solicited campaign donations from senior staffers during the 2008 election campaign. Now, the Assembly has accepted a report, by a vote of 11-3, calling upon the Premier to apologize or face sanctions of some sort. The story has been reported on by both CBC North and Nunatsiaq News. I can't say I'm surprised at the 3 MLA's who voted against accepting the report. Tagak Curley and Louis Taparjuk are part of Okalik's "Old Boy" Club and James Arvaluk is a convicted felon. How sad that the concept of integrity is lost on a former and a current Education Minister.

An apology would be the right thing to do. Unfortunately, Paul Okalik has too much of an ego for that. I actually laughed out loud when I read Okalik's quote in Nunatsiaq News - "It is a little difficult to follow the laws when they’re being applied after the fact.” This statement is a little hard to figure considering that Okalik was also the Justice Minister. Either he doesn't know his own laws or the man simply too arrogant to care.

And On And On It Goes....

2009-11-27T05:30:00.001-05:00

Thirteen months ago, Nunavut held its 3rd territorial election. This was the second of two territorial elections I was present for. I got a sense during the campaign that Nunavummiut were few up with the status quo and silliness of the actions of some of the old crop of MLA's and were hankering for change. Quite a few of the contenders seemed to make the concept of change a part of their campaign runs. Indeed, 10 of the 15 seats for which elections were held were won by first-time MLA's. People were hopeful. Change seemed to be in the air.

And for awhile, things seemed to be going better. A new crop of MLA's a new Cabinet and a new Premier. Then there is a news item involving former Premier (and current MLA) Paul Okalik violating the Integrity Act by soliciting donations from deputy ministers during the 2008 campaign. According to the Nunatsiaq News article on this same story, Okalik doesn't care. Then two stories of problems with alcohol, the first involving the Member from Baker Lake and the second involving the Member from Pangnirtung. At least Komoartak had sense enough to address the Assembly over his actions and express regret. But still....I was hopeful a corner had been turned, that integrity and trust would soon be restored. Sadly, this current crop of MLA's seems to be reverting back to old ways.

And don't even get me going on the current MLA from Pond Inlet James Arvaluk,who was forced to resign his seat twice in the past (1995 and 2003) due to criminal charges and spent time in jail. Yes, as a former teacher in the Nunavut education system, it gave me such a great feeling to know that the guy at the top of the education hierarchy, my ultimate "boss" beat his girlfriend giving her nerve damage and was incarcerated for 9 months.

What A Waste

2009-11-26T19:45:00.003-05:00

It's a bit dated now, but a recent edition of Maclean's caught my attention and it wasn't on account of Canadian university rankings. Rather it was this article that caught my attention. Pretty interesting when you consider how bent out of shape some animal rights activists get over Inuit hunting seals.

"...bureaucrats in Brussels have cooked up laws to ensure that all EU citizens are eating fruit and veggies of the same shape and size." Always a good reason to resort to food wastage while a great number starve. Speaking of sheer stupidity, I don't even know where to begin with this pathetic story.

Year Of The Inuit

2009-11-25T19:46:00.003-05:00

It was with great interest that I read about Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami President Mary Simon's aims to create greater awareness of Inuit issues now that 2010 has been declared the Year of the Inuit. And why should 2010 be declared the Year of the Inuit? Because Southern consciousness of Canada's North must be broadened beyond issues regarding the construction of pipelines, tales of lost explorers, resources development, fights over the Northwest Passage and issues involving sovereignty. True, these issues are important (the last 3 especially so in recent years) but if you don't have a true North strong and free in terms of its human resources and capital then you don't have much.

Kugluktuk Grizzlies, The Movie?

2009-11-20T21:09:00.002-05:00

I was actually looking for some information on another topic I was going to blog about when I came across this interesting little article from Maclean's Magazine. I don't have a subscription to it but I do hope to get a hard copy of it so I can read up some more on the aforementioned story. I've never been to the community of Kugluktuk although I did once work with a colleague who had spent some time there. (Plus, I "know" a blogger that used to live there too. Hi Kara!) Having taught in Nunavut for a few years, I've heard some great things about the Kugluktuk Grizzlies, their activities and goals. I've lost count of the number of times I opened a newspaper to read about one of their sports teams winning a medal at an indoor soccer or basketball tournament. I had the privilege to meet a few Kugluktuk students a couple years ago at a badminton tournament in Rankin Inlet and they were a great group of kids to chat with. So sure, I'm biased as hell, but I like to think a movie would be a fantastic idea. Nunavut-based movies aren't as far-fetched as you might think with Inuit-owned Isuma Productions award-winning films in recent years.

Go Grizzlies, Go!

Oh My God!

2009-11-18T07:00:00.000-05:00

Generally, I have a low opinion of politicians but bravo to all Canadian MPs who partake of the seal meat on the menu of the Parliamentary restaurant. It's refreshing to see our elected officials supporting the little guy at times other than election times. I'm sure a few animal rights people and Euro trash politicians are freaking out at the notion but hey, I don't tell you what you should or shouldn't eat.

The Good Doctor

2009-11-17T19:51:00.004-05:00

When I saw a headline about a long-time Northern doctor having passed away I had a feeling it might be Dr. Otto Schaefer and when I clicked on the link it was to discover that the good doctor had passed away. I first became familiar with the man and his work through the book Sunrise Over Pangnirtung. For a number of years now, I've kept a little mental list of northerners I'd love to meet over coffee and Dr. Schaefer was definitely on that list. The closest connection I have to the man is through a chance meeting a few years ago with the grandson of his Inuk assistant Etuangat.

The North is full of people who move up from the urban South for a short while before retreating to sunnier climes. Dr. Schaefer was a welcome exception. For this, and for a life dedicated to improved the lives of his fellow human beings, the man has my utmost respect.

Oh Wow! An Exemption!

2009-11-11T15:12:00.003-05:00

So the EU wants to ban Canadian seal products effective August 2010. Oh, but don't worry. They'll make an exemption for indigenous hunters. Yeah, that will work. And its not just now that seal pelts are going unsold. I remember full well hearing from members of Arctic Bay's Hunter's and Trappers Organization last year that there were similar problems at the Fur Harvesters auction. I wish I could say that if the European nanny-state wishes to dictate to its own people which products they should or shouldn't have access to then that is their right. But I can't. Simply put, what they are doing is ILLEGAL.

And please don't persist in this fiction that some sort of feel good exemption is going to make an ounce of difference to seal hunters in Nunavut. It won't. Given that this is Remembrance Day, I find this move especially annoying. Give me a break France. Canadians, including many Aboriginal Canadians fought for you guys to bail you out......twice. And to the thoughtless jerk who left me a comment a few months back comparing Inuit culture to Nazism, hey even some French collaborated with the Nazis. Guess it takes one to know one, huh?

A few days ago I watched a show on tv in which Bordeaux wine producers were whining about increased international competition and the accompanying drop in sales. Bordeaux is know the world over. Imagine if a number of countries unilaterally decided to stop buying your wine. Not that they'd be missing much. Personally, I'd much rather settle down with a nice big red from Chile, the US or Australia. (Australian Cab. Sauvignon is especially nice for a steak dinner after which you plan to propose I should add.)

Sorry for the mini-rant. Back to the original topic. The hunt is sustainable. Period. It is an activity that has been taking place for several centuries. The seals are not going to simply disappear. Seals are not all cute and fuzzy. Actually, I find their smell a tad nauseous. The EU likes to think it is some sort of Arctic entity yet they show through their actions that they are completely ignorant of northern realities. I would challenge any of these so-called politicians who are so concerned about the stability of the hunt to name one species the Inuit have hunted to extinction. Just one.

An exemption for the indigenous hunt? Whoopee!!

Miss The Views

2009-11-10T23:15:00.004-05:00

Having now moved to a land of forests I have to admit to sometimes missing the wide open spaces of Nunavut.....and the views that seem at times to go on forever.

Glad This Turned Out Okay

2009-11-09T19:19:00.003-05:00

While its easy to romanticize about the North, there is an alternate reality. One that is much harsher. Certainly I am guilty of waxing poetic about Nunavut....its extreme temperatures and its rugged landscape. I've had my share of close calls out on the land I know a few others who have shared their stories of getting into tough situations. It doesn't take much to get you into trouble up there. The weather and the land can be highly unpredictable. I know even the most experienced of hunters have found themselves in a tough situation despite careful and calculated preparations. Consider what this kid went through.

I had an opportunity a couple years ago to meet a few youth from Coral Harbour when I was attending a badminton tournament in Rankin Inlet. Fantastic representatives for the community. Maybe the young lad in this story was there or maybe he was a friend of someone who was there. Who knows. All I'll say is that whoever this kid is, he deserves a lot of credit. (I know what I would have done had I been in the same situation, smack in the heart of polar bear country and it wouldn't be pretty). Nunavut youth get a lot of flak for many different reasons. But here's a kid who's survived an ordeal that would have killed a big city kid.

Hats off to the lad!

900

2009-11-04T07:00:00.004-05:00

It took me a little longer than expected but with this post I reach a milestone, one I never thought I'd see when I started this humble adventure several months ago. Yes, I've reached 900 posts! Who knew? I plan to keep the blog going with updates, perhaps not as frequently as I was once able to but now that I've reached 900, one thousand posts looks just oh so tempting. Thank you to everyone for stopping by.

A Thank You To The Anti-Seal Crowd

2009-11-03T19:40:00.003-05:00

Generally, I savage the anti-sealing nut jobs on my blog. Given the length of time I've spent in the North, and in Nunavut in particular, this is no big shock. Having come home from work and read this story though, I have to say a big thank you to these morons. Thank you for helping bring the MP's folder to national attention. They really do make great gifts. And you help support Nunavut sealers and their growing economy as well. EU politicians really need to get off their high horses and get one. I might even start buying their (slightly inferior to Canadian) wine again as a goodwill gesture.

Taking On The European Union

2009-11-02T20:07:00.002-05:00

Coming as it does on the heels of my last post, I was pleased to read that Canada is challenging the European Union's seal ban at the World Trade Organization. If the Europeans were really that clued in to the Arctic, its people and its wildlife as they think they are then they would surely realize that A) seals are, if not the most, than certainly one of the most, numerous animals north of the Arctic Circle and B) proposed exemptions for Inuit subsistence hunting are meaningless and a complete joke. Honestly, can they name a single Arctic species that the Inuit have hunted to extinction?

Norway is both a European nation and a circumpolar nation and they purchase a large percentage of Canadian-harvested seal skins. Something in the order of 80% if I'm not mistaken. Frankly if I was an EU politician from France or Germany I would find this a tad embarrassing. Perhaps Norway understands something the French and Germans do not. So much for some sort of European solidarity. Please, stay in France and eat your pate de fois gras or stay in Germany and eat your wild boars. Do your bull-fighting in Spain and stick to your English fox hunts. Don't continue in the fiction that THOSE little activities long longer exist in your countries while taking shots at ours. Hypocrites!

Apparently, EU Politicians Failed Geography Class

2009-11-01T22:00:00.001-05:00

I'm sorry, but when I read this little article I just had to laugh. "The EU is an Arctic entity." This according to EU rep. Fernando Garces. Presumably, this guy is from either Spain or Portugal......you know, those little European Arctic countries on the Iberian Peninsula. Austria..I've been through it, not Arctic. Ditto Belgium and Czech Republic. Italy and Greece? Definitely more Mediterranean than Arctic. Hungary...been there. In case European leaders are unaware, its a completely land-locked country...and no where near the Arctic or its waters. The EU IS NOT an Arctic entity, although they are very good at trying to weasel in and dictate to Northerners here in this country with all their ill-thought-out bans on everything from seal to polar bear products.

Let's see here....the European Union, as of 2007, has 27 member nations. And exactly how many of them could be termed "Arctic Nations"? Well, if you consider the circumpolar world as the land lying North of the 60th degree of latitude, then, sorry Europe, only two member nations meet this criteria: Sweden and Finland. And even then, both of these nations have territory lying south of 60 degrees North. I suppose I could include Denmark as the territory of Greenland most certainly can be classified as "Arctic", but Greenland withdrew from the organization in 1985. So much for solidarity.

The simple truth is that since the countries of Europe first became aware of the Arctic, their interests have been dictated by profit, exploitation and greed rather than any real altruistic tendencies. When it comes to the Canadian Arctic in particular, the EU's policies have shown nothing more than ignorance, selfishness and dare I say, outright racism. While Canada is far from perfect when it comes to our own portion of the Arctic, I like to think we have a better understanding than some politician from Slovakia or Malta.

I'm really sorry, EU. but if you really truly believe you are some some sort of Arctic entity, you need to go back to your high school geography classes.

Bomb Threat

2009-10-29T07:00:00.002-04:00

I'd be interested in hearing back from any Iqaluit bloggers after catching wind of bomb threat at a city hotel. The story caught my attention for two reasons. First, this is the first time I've heard of a situation quite like this. I could be wrong since I never lived in Iqaluit during my time in Nunavut, although I went through the place many times of course. I'd like to think that a story like this is simply something you file under the category of "weird news" rather than something more sinister. Someone's stupid prank I'm sure. To my knowledge, Iqaluit doesn't get that many bomb threats over the course of a year. I recall an incident a few years back where the high school was evacuated after some twit started a small fire in a bathroom stall.

The second reason the story caught my attention is that I stayed at this very hotel several times since it was built when over-nighting in Iqaluit. I'll keep my nose to the ground and see if anything else happens with this story. Likely just someone with too much free time on their hand. A bomb threat in Iqaluit is like a bomb threat against the bridge in Campbellford, Ontario where I grew up - it catches your attention but the odds of it being anything more than a threat are quite small.

The Great Womanizer And A Great Theatre

2009-10-29T07:00:00.000-04:00

This post really has nothing to do with the Arctic but I thought I'd do it anyway simply because of my interest in music. Today marks the anniversary of the premiere of Mozart's opera Don Giovanni. Not only was Don Giovanni my first opera experience but I had the opportunity to see it in the very theatre where it was premiered in Prague. While Don Giovanni isn't my favorite Mozart opera (that distinction would go to Die Zauberflote), I found myself in Prague a couple summers ago and simply couldn't pass up the opportunity to see a performance. Only a pending train trip to Brussels prevented me from a second viewing.

The Estates Theatre is a real gem. It's original appearance has changed very little since its construction and to my knowledge, it is the only remaining theatre left standing where Mozart performed. I went all out with my ticket, getting a box seat just one balcony over from where Emperor Leopold II would have sat. For one evening the history bug in me was well satiated as I was transported back to another place and time.

All in all a fantastic way to spend a midsummer's eve.

A Big "To Do" List

2009-10-28T09:41:00.002-04:00

I keep a "to do" list handy in my day planner. Nothing fancy...usually just a sticky note (my work place seems to have a healthy supply on hand) with all the day's priorities in need of attention. For the most part, I'm good at keeping on top of things. I've only been behind because I moved and changed employment over the summer so there were times when I thought my "to do" list would never end. I suspect I'm not alone in this regard though.

A week ago I mentioned that the Government of Nunavut had undertaken a review of how things were working (or not working) now that the territory is 10 years old. Since I'm still on my old MLA's mailing list, I received a copy of the press release in my inbox this morning along with a link to an article from Nunatsiaq News which I've copied and pasted below.

The GN has quite the "to do " list on its plate. It makes my little lists pale in comparison. I wish them all the best. They have a formidable task ahead of them.

Nunavut MLAs flesh out the GN’s to-do list

“It’s never been done like this before”

JIM BELL
Nunavut MLAs emerged Oct. 26 from a week’s worth of full caucus meetings to announce the priorities that will soon form the basis of a detailed action plan for the Government of Nunavut.
“It’s never been done like this before — we could have done it with cabinet only but it was critical to get input from all our members, ” Premier Eva Aariak said.
Between Oct. 20 and Oct. 23, regular MLAs and cabinet ministers sat down to study the recently-released Qanukkanniq Report Card to help them figure out how to carry out the Tamapta mandate statement they issued this past April 1.
Aariak said the exercise was a “historical” process that now allows her government to move forward with a program that comes directly from the people of Nunavut.
In a statement released Oct. 26, MLAs say they agreed to be guided by three core principles: self-reliance, open communication, and service to the public.
Then they set out a list of tasks to be done over the three-year period between now and the next election:
• ensure the government fully implements the new Education Act, Official Languages Act and Inuit Language Protection Act;
• develop strategies to combat poverty and increase the supply of housing;
• review the public housing rent scale and the income support program to remove disincentives to entering the workforce and help income support recipients gain skills;
• do a “functional review” of decentralization;
• introduce a new Child and Family Services Act within the life of the current legislative assembly;
• create “an independent position to represent and articulate the needs of children and youth;”
• introduce a new Liquor Act;
• strengthen the performance of the education system and create more daycare options for parents;
• improve the basic tools available to government employees to improve service to the public, including the GN’s financial, human resources, business planning and communications services;
• improve business climate by fostering better alternative energy, transportation and telecommunications;
• continued support for meeting the objectives of Article 23, while fixing capacity and performance gaps in the civil service and remaining committed to “a training culture that seeks to build a service-oriented, professional and culturally respectful service.”
Aariak said MLAs reached “full consensus” on most of the issues they discussed, and that no members were surprised by the findings of the Qanukkanniq team.
“One of the arguments I heard was ‘why are doing this, we know this already,” Aariak said.
She said the next step will be the production of a detailed action plan based on the consensus that MLAs reached last week.
To that end, Nunavut deputy ministers began meeting on the morning of Oct. 26 to create the action plan and to co-ordinate that work with planning related to the GN’s budget and departmental business plans.
“They now have clear direction from the government,” Aariak said.
In social policy, MLAs appear to agree there are limits to what government can do.
“Government programs and services play an important role in the life of our territory. However, members of the Legislative Assembly recognized that is ultimately healthy families and communities that provide a truly sustainable foundation for building our children’s future,” Akulliq MLA John Ningark, the chair of the full caucus, said in the Oct. 26 assembly release.
MLAs also reaffirmed their belief in the future of Nunavut by reiterating the “declaration of confidence” contained in the Tamapta mandate document: “We believe in Nunavut. We have hope for its vibrant future, built by our people pursuing their dreams.”

Small World

2009-10-25T01:03:00.002-04:00

And now for a little lighter fare. While out furniture shopping not too long ago in Lac La Biche I bumped into a person from Fort Smith, where I started my teaching career. I mentioned that me and my girlfriend were new to the area and that I had worked all over the north. When he asked for some specific places, I rattled off a few. He stopped me when I mentioned Fort Smith. Turns out the salesman had spent some time there as an assistant manager of the Northern Store and our tenures roughly overlapped. I actually knew the manager there quite well as I had his son in my class. I worked with the manager's wife at the high school and at the end of the year we ended up moving on to other places with our careers.

This was the first time I had met someone from so far back in my career. Not only did I buy a nice living room set but we a good deal of time catching up on things. One of the things that continues to fascinate me about the North is that even though it is quite large geographically, people-wise there is a level of intimacy and camaraderie that you would be hard-pressed to find anywhere else.

Yeah, Yeah, Yeah...I Smell A Photo Op

2009-10-24T23:43:00.003-04:00

While I was out for lunch with the family, I happened upon a copy of the Edmonton Sun with a story about Pamela Anderson flapping her gums, and other assets, over the seal hunt. I considered blogging about the article but didn't have an online version of the story until a cousin of mine passed one along to me via Facebook this afternoon.

I mean honestly, does anyone believe this bimbo has anything productive to say? Note to Pamela Anderson....clue in...you're the embarrassment to Canada. You support an organization that claims it has nothing against subsistence hunting in the North but the very actions that people like this support are hampering good people from making a living. If you really cared about Canada, you would care about all Canadians....not just the rich turds that live in Hollywood or Vancouver.

Yoo hoo, Pamela, clue in.

Much To Be Done

2009-10-20T19:02:00.002-04:00

Shortly after Nunavut's last territorial election (roughly a year ago), the new Premier, Eva Aariak, promised a review of how the government was serving (or not serving) Nunavummiut. Unfortunately, I left the territory before this report was released but came across this Globe and Mail article this afternoon.
As Townie Bastard mentions, ignore the comments section of the Globe article. I always find the comments section tells you more about the ignorance of the person making the comment than it does about the actual issues involved. I won't comment much other than to say that Education, Employment, Housing and Mental Health services should be priorities. Cutting down on government sloth and largesse would also be nice. It took a ridiculous amount of time before the Education Department was able to fulfill a request to forward some work-related information I needed on to my new employer in Alberta.

For those with a political bent, you can read through the report's recommendations here.

MLA Blasts "Social Passing" Policy in N.W.T.

2009-10-17T09:00:00.000-04:00

As an educator, this CBC story about social passing caught my attention. Having taught in 3 provinces and 2 territories over the course of my career this is phenomenon is definitely not unique to the Northwest Territories. All I can say is that in my experience, "social passing" simply doesn't work. I've seen no real evidence of it and proponents of it always give the same old tired line of how its best for the student to be with their peers rather than being held back. They claim there is research advocating "social passing" as the best option but never cite the research.

I won't say anything further other than education works best when you have teachers, parents and students working together. Clearly, in many educational districts across this country, we are a long way from this ideal.

Animal Rights Activist....Yeesh

2009-10-17T07:00:00.003-04:00

You know, I truly don't get the logic of some people. Long time readers of this blog will know I am no friend of animal rights militants. This post doesn't change this. Hunting polar bears is wrong according to these people. BUT within 10 years, the Arctic will be ice free. Seems to me the bigger threat isn't hunting but habitat loss. But they want to end the polar bear trade, and by extension, polar bear hunting. Makes perfect sense to me.

I seriously doubt the polar bear population will be gone in a decade. In fact, there are many elders and much traditional knowledge to support the argument that populations are stable. A ban makes no sense. I've mentioned in the past how these bans only serve to devastate the economies of small Arctic communities. For the people who whine about Nunavut (or any other small community with a predominantly subsistence economy) being unsustainable, keep this in mind if you support these animal rights activists. Hey, it's okay to take a side. Just try to be consistent in your logic.

I Think I'll Have The Chicken

2009-10-12T21:14:00.004-04:00

Combing the internet for some northern news, I came across this story of a turkey I'd rather not bite into. I'd like to think that this news item is something quirky - the kind that falls under the category of "weird news". Having spent 4 years in Arctic Bay, the community mentioned in this story, I can vouch that, sadly, this is a reality when it comes to the costs of food prices. The outlandish costs of food are something that I've blogged out before.

As suspected, Stage Left also picked up on the story.

For anyone thinking "boo hoo, those little northern places aren't sustainable anyway so really, they shouldn't get all up in arms over this", I would simply ask this - Are larger communities any more sustainable? How much money did government hand out when major corporations and banks failed as the economy bottomed out over the past year? Something tells me that this amount pales in comparison to the money Northern communities receive.

In the end, what this really boils down to, is not a question of sustainability, but rather a question of social justice. I hope politicians of all stripes bear this in mind as they sit down to a nice (presumably much less expensive) turkey dinner this evening.

Newbies

2009-10-04T12:48:00.003-04:00

Since I began blogging in Nunavut, I've seen some good blogs come and go. A few blogs I used to read religiously have left the territory and I try to keep up with them as much as I'm able to. It seems my own little blog is dying a slow death given the time restraints I find myself under with the new job...plus not being in Nunavut anymore, I find myself a little out of the loop as to goings-on around the territory.

Nevertheless, I thought I'd mention a few new Nunavut blogs I've happened across, courtesy of Townie Bastard. Check them out if you wish.

Northernbound Nurse, blogging out of Arviat.

The Arctic Post, blogging out of Chesterfield Inlet.

Newbie in the North and Pangnirtung Bound, both blogging from the very scenic community of Pangnirtung, and well worth a trip there if you ever get the chance to do it, I might add.

Wow! The Government Moves

2009-08-18T07:00:00.001-04:00

After a lot of talk it's nice to see the government taking steps to include the North within the rest of Canada. The formation of a Northern reserve unit may be a small step, but one that is, in my opinion long overdue.

Having a Northern reserve unit is just plain common sense. Canada is a huge chunk of territory so it helps to have "men in the field" so to speak. It also, in a small way, integrates the North into the rest of Canada. It helps make the North equal partners with Canada. It's only a small part of a plan but a plan that has been sorely lacking for sometime.

News flash: The North was militarized long ago. Just look up the building of the Alaska highway or the construction of the DEW Line. The new unit will help support and gain knowledge from the Canadian Rangers, provide support for northern cadet corps, boost our search and rescue capabilities, aid with emergency disaster relief and many other things. Yes, it's only 100 soldier we're talking about here, a mere drop in the bucket compared to what other circumpolar nations like Norway and Russia have in their Northern regions. But it's a start.

Up All Night In Iqaluit

2009-08-17T11:14:00.003-04:00

I first heard of this story a couple days ago and meant to comment on it but moving preparations got in the way. And there's a lot going on this story and I wanted to give it some thought. Having spent some time in Nunavut and having worked with young people, I can appreciate first hand that Nunavut lacks social workers. Having met and talked to a number of social workers I can tell you that they do a good job. The problem is that more often than not, they are working in isolation (particularly in the smaller communities) with very limited resources. Really, I tip my hat to them. I don't know how they handle it. I know I couldn't.

While more social workers and other such front line workers would be a definite help, I think a large part of it ultimately boils down to good parenting. I know this might not be a popular opinion in this day and age where people offer up any number of possibilities to explain society's shortcomings. Don't be the child's friend. Be a parent.

I should also like to add that with Nunavut we're talking about a population of a little over 30 000. Things stand out in a small population. It's hard to be anonymous. Problems with kids on the street can be found in any major Canadian city. They just tend to be more noticeable in the North.

I'm not saying this is the case here by any means, but in some instances, the street can be a better place than some households. If any good can come of all this I hope its that people and governments at all levels are more aware of the challenges and the problems. Perhaps rather than simply building careers, politician and bureaucrats will focus more on building a strong territory. Perhaps parents will be parents.

I know this post is a little scatter-brained and perhaps a little contradictory, but I just wanted to add my two cents. And I'm a little distracted here too. We're packing up to start our drive across the country tomorrow...and I should set this computer down and check and see where the kids are.

Make Sure to Stop on By

2009-08-14T18:11:00.002-04:00

In case you've been dropping by, or if you're a new reader, and wonder where I've disappeared to I invite you to drop by and visit my new blog, Northland Adventures I hope to update the new blog on a regular basis after my big move to Alberta. I also plan on keeping this blog going as best I can. I will use "Way Way Up" to comment on Northern\Arctic issues as well as to offer my reflections on 6 years of teaching in Nunavut, a very unique part of Canada indeed.

So stay tuned....

Top 10 Nunavut Experiences

2009-08-12T07:00:00.001-04:00

...in no particular order...and really this only just begins to scratch the surface of all the amazing experiences of the past 6 years.

1. Fantastic scenery

2. Kumaq...for breakfast!

3. The Majestic Icebergs

4. Fishing Derby at Ikpikittuarjuk

5. Fox-5 DEW Line Site

6. Polar Bear Dip!!!

7. Nunavut Quest Dogteam Races

8. August snow storm

9. Gold medals for soccer

10. Polar Bear in Resolute

Just Asking

2009-08-10T13:31:00.002-04:00

Not to stir the pot or anything (you know I'm not one to do that) but I'm just curious here. I wonder why I didn't see any animal rights protesters the other day when I visited the Brockville Rib Fest*. They sure had a lot of ribs on the go. You could get them from quite a few vendors cooked over wood or charcoal and with many different sauces. My girlfriend and I got to wondering how many pigs met their end in order to satisfy demand. I'm sure it had to be quite a few judging by how long we had to wait in line to place our order. Yet, not one protester to be seen.

Meanwhile, during my time in Nunavut, my neighbors and many local acquaintances sustainably harvested a few seals every week and the animal rights' activists go bazurk. I don't get it. Surely pigs are just a cute and cuddly as seals. I mean really, come on now.

*For the record, it was my first time at Brockville's Rib Fest and I highly recommend this annual event to the serious rib connoisseur. It's definitely worth the long line ups.

Chard/Janvier

2009-08-06T07:00:00.003-04:00

Normally when I accept a teaching position in a new community I head to the internet to dig up any bit of information I can find. This was particularly important this time around since I will not be moving to alone and we will have children of our own in the school system. So far, my findings have been a bit thin but I've been in situations like this before. Chard is a tiny community of around 400 and most searches I've done have led me to pictures of a green leafy plant. Apparently, chard is some type of vegetable. (Red stems AND yellow stems.....mmm...looks tasty.)

After 9 years of teaching in small, northern communities I like to think I do a pretty good job at getting a good feel for a place. I have a realistic view of what things are like "on the ground" and for the most part, I've managed to avoid unexpected surprises. Anyhow, all this is just a long-winded way of saying that for anyone interested in where we are heading, I've found some helpful information about my new school, Father R. Perin School, on the school board's web site. Since Chard/Janvier doesn't have a Wikipedia page yet (sigh), a little more information about my new community can be found here.

For anyone wondering (since I've been asked a couple times already), Father R. Perin School is not a Catholic school though the name suggests it. It's a public school although interestingly, it is named for a Catholic minister.

Sarah MacLachlan Sucks

2009-07-27T12:00:00.001-04:00

Well, I eluded to animal rights nuts in my last post and this article naturally got my blood boiling so I thought I'd have at it again. And yes, I realize this is old news but long-time readers and those who know me know that I take no prisoners on this issue. I really don't care how famous a person is or what organization they purport to represent. I recall back on Canada Day catching a short CBC interview with Sarah MacLachlan prior to her performing on Parliament Hill. MacLachlan sported a yellow t-shirt picturing the face of a baby seal. When the interviewer questioned her on it she responded by saying that she was wearing it to protest the seal hunt. According to her enlightened view, the hunt is cruel and barbaric and should be stopped.

Nice. So because some "famous person" says something shouldn't happen then that makes it so? Give me a break! What makes her think that she is anymore enlightened on the issue of the seal hunt than any of these other hippy protesters? So other than your feelings, Sarah, do you have any proof or facts to back up your stance? So you just demonstrated on tv that you have nothing of substance, that you appeal only to emotion. Hardly an original tactic. I'm very sorry to have to tell you this but in the natural world when something eats, something else has died. Pure and simple. And this includes plant life as well, not just animals.

As the interviewer pointed out just before asking her about her choice of t-shirt, MacLachlan hasn't put out an album in 6 years. I would respectfully suggest she focus on what she knows and avoid what she only thinks she knows about. Get back to me when you can formulate an argument that doesn't focus on a knee-jerk emotional reaction to a way of life important to Northerners.

Next.

Food Security

2009-07-26T22:00:00.000-04:00

I intended to do a write-up on the issue of food security awhile ago. A newspaper article I read during my flight down from Iqaluit a little over a week ago caught my attention and I was reminded to finish up my intended post after a trip to a grocery store here in Brockville a couple days back. During the shopping trip I was floored by the amount of food choices in just one store. I quipped to Lisa that I could easily spend an hour in the bread section alone trying to decide what kind of bread I'd like for sandwiches. Humour aside, I have to admit to being a little overwhelmed by it all at first. And it wasn't just the selection that amazed me of course, but also the prices - substantially cheaper than the prices you'd find in small Nunavut communities. Long time readers of my blog (or anyone randomly searching through any of the Nunavut blogs on my sidebar) will no doubt find a mention of some of the crazy food prices there.

Here is the original article I read, referencing the Qanuippitali Inuit Health Survey - Half of Nunavut's Children Go Hungry.

As if to drive home the seriousness of the issue, I came across another article on this issue earlier this evening -
Seven in 10 Nunavut Families Go Hungry

For the sake of balance, people need to take responsibility for their actions. Lifestyle choices play an important role as this article illustrates. I'm not out to make policy or dictate how people should live their lives. In some ways I offer this post up as a rebuttal to the animal rights activists who put forth the facile argument that Inuit should just consume store-bought goods rather than harvest country foods. I know for myself that, even with sea lift orders and food mail, I'm finding it much easier (and less stressful on the wallet) to eat healthy now than I did just a couple weeks ago.

I wonder how many people entering a grocery store in an average southern urban centre realize just how good they have it when it comes to food availability.

Way Way Up...The Book?

2009-07-23T07:00:00.001-04:00

Before Way Way Up, I kept a diary. I started it late in my rookie year of teaching to record my experiences and to help me reflect and cope during the rough days. And I was pretty consistent with it. I kept it for about 4 years and still managed to write in it occasionally after I started blogging. Gradually though, despite my best efforts, I found it easier to record my Nunavut experiences on my blog so my off-line diary petered out. So, in addition to my blog, I have plenty of little anecdotes down on paper from my pre-Nunavut days.

All this is to day that it was suggested to me some time ago, that I might consider one day turning my blog and diary notes into a book. So who knows? I wrote out a bunch of stuff long-hand awhile back and would gladly re-visit it if it wasn't packed up in a box somewhere between Nanisivik, Nunavut and Brockville, Ontario at the moment. I'm turning the idea over in my mind and haven't reached any firm decisions yet. But the idea of someday having a book appeals to me more and more. Who know? I suppose we'll see. I think I may have come up with a title already...

Final Flurry

2009-07-22T20:39:00.004-04:00

My last day in Nunavut (this past Monday) was pretty crazy but I managed to get all my last running around done (you can relive my angst here and here if you wish)....and there was a lot to get done and yes a lot of running (at times literally). The workout went something like this - start one last load of laundry; go to Post Office at the Northern Store, little ticket maker thingy still broke so I can't mail the rest of my boxes...BUT it is being worked on; pick up mail...oh look the package from my new school board is here....yay! Oh bills came too...boo!; go to Housing Office to remind them of my checkout inspection that was supposed to be 2 hours earlier; am told they will be by "shortly"; go to Hamlet Office an close my water/sewage account; run home to wait for the Post Office to call to tell me I can get my stuff sent; open package from new board; freak out over all the paper work needing to be done; curse inability to get anything done; pace apartment; take a deep breath; finish up with laundry; go to RCMP for criminal record check for my new board....yay! something accomplished finally; go back to Hamlet Office to pay my last bill; go back to Housing office and simply sign a form to complete check out for my unit; reassured that a note will be sent to the Power Corp. to transfer power costs from myself back to Housing as of my check out date; run back home; Post Office calls; pray for a miracle; miracle answered; head down to Post Office to finish paying for the rest of my personal effects to be sent out; briefly consider setting it (my personal effects not the Post Office) alight considering all the grief its given me; exercise restraint; head home in a daze that I managed to get my stuff sent off and not have to re-schedule my flight out thereby condemning myself to a few more nights in an empty, foodless apartment.

...and for the record, I am pretty organized, even organized to a fault. Just trying to juggle so many balls and work with a bunch of different people simultaneously threw me for a loop at times and I sure much of my stress was self-imposed.

I recalled afterward that when I first moved to Nunavut from Saskatchewan I was in a similar situation, cutting it close and getting my stuff sent off and then hopping a small plane less than an hour later. Monday was deja-vu. So at least I'm consistent.

On My Way

2009-07-21T07:00:00.011-04:00

If all goes according to plan, I should be flying out of Nanisivik this morning for the final time.* Interestingly, it is 6 years to the day when I made my first flight up to Nunavut. It's been quite the adventure and a life experience few get to have. There is much more I plan to say but I will leave that for now. At the moment, I look forward to spending time taking a well-needed break in Ontario.

Taima.

*If not then we'll all find out in a few more days since I am writing this up head of time (Saturday) and I had to return my modem on Sunday.

From The Archives

2009-07-18T11:43:00.005-04:00

Rather than bore you with my current plight I thought I'd dig back into the vault and pull out a few pictures of the St. George Society Cliffs. These pictures were taken about three years ago I believe.

Impressive views from 600 feet up.

The craggy finger of land is Holy Cross Point which separates Arctic Bay the water (left) from Adams Sound, on the right.

This was about as close to the edge as I was willing to get.

Can you spot the skidoo?

One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

2009-07-17T20:40:00.003-04:00

The title pretty much sums up events of the past couple days. I'm fast learning that moving out of Nunavut can be just as challenging as moving in to Nunavut. I've managed to get all of my boxes to the post office. I had to get them to the post office over the course of a couple days since the man who gave me a hand Monday had truck problems so I had to recruit a couple students to help me move the rest of my stuff on Wednesday. Monday's boxes were sent out with Wednesday's mail so I had a modicum of success. Things seemed to be moving along nicely. After that though, things started to go a little down hill. The little ticket machine at the post office decided to go kaput, meaning I've been unable to mail out my remaining boxes. Add to that that the Internet also decided to up and die a couple days ago so I've been unable to use my credit card to pay for the second round of boxes. Obviously, the Internet is now working, but the little ticket gadget at the post office was still kaput when I stopped by there this afternoon. So, I now have to wait until Monday and hope it's working. Add to this that my flight out is scheduled out for Tuesday and you can see the bind I find myself in.

If push comes to shove, I can always re-schedule my flight though I'll admit I'm getting quite anxious to get on my way. I can't keep re-scheduling my flight waiting for the problem at the post office to be fixed since I had scheduled my final check-out with Housing on Monday. (Not to mention I have to disconnect the phone, return my modem and close my water/sewage account at the Hamlet Office). The weather for Tuesday is looking a bit suspect at the moment so everything is quite up in the air. Sitting in an empty house the past couple days has been a bit trying but I'm managing. Did I mention I'm out of water too? Yikes! What is a fellow to do? I suppose I'm holding up pretty good, trying to be patient but I'd much rather be out of here as scheduled on Tuesday so I can start planning my move out West, which now seems as far off as ever. (I still have no idea when I'm expected to be there. My new employer sent me a package of information a couple weeks ago now, Priority Post, but of course being where I am, I haven't seen hide nor hair of it.)

I'm sure (I hope) I'll look back on this experience years from now and have a good chuckle and I'm doing my best not to let the events sour even further what has turned out to be a very trying and challenging year in many ways. In the end though, all I can really do is wait. There's a certain stoicism in my character I just have to reach deep down and grasp onto. In the end, I know things will work out. But man oh man what a ride!

Arctic Flora

2009-07-15T07:00:00.002-04:00

Northland Adventures

2009-07-14T12:00:00.002-04:00

With the upcoming move to Alberta, Way Way Up will be less frequently updated. I've decided to create a new blog to chronicle my family's adventures, appropriately named Northland Adventures. I'm not entirely certain at the moment what my internet access will be like but I hope to keep the new blog going though at the moment there isn't much there. 3+ years is a long life span for a blog (878 posts and counting), particularly in Nunavut, and I don't want to let this blog go entirely. I've decided that while I will no longer be living in Nunavut, I will continue to write occasionally on issues relevant to the territory and the High Arctic in general, since this blog is more suited for it than my new one.

Relinquishing The Title

2009-07-14T07:00:00.000-04:00

I'm not quite sure who came up with the moniker but for the past couple years Arctic Bay has oft been referred to as the "Blog Capital of Nunavut" among the Nunavut blogging community. With Kendra leaving for Yukon and yours truly soon to be heading to Chard/Janvier in Alberta, this now leaves Clare as the last Arctic Bay blogger standing.

And so, we reluctantly relinquish our title. Ah, but we were a pretty potent triumvirate. But alas, all good things must come to an end. It appears the new "Blog Capital of Nunavut" is now Cape Dorset as there are at least six bloggers there according to the side bare of Matthew and Michele's blog. Still, part of me misses the title. I briefly considered challenging a Cape Dorset blogger to an arm wrestling contest in order to reclaim the title, Jen perhaps. But Dorset is at least 1200km south of here and my arm (long and gangly as it is) just doesn't reach that far. Sigh, I'd probably lose anyway. Badly.

Worse Than A Little Old Lady!

2009-07-13T18:45:00.000-04:00

Now that my packing is pretty much finished I can't help but roll my eyes and chuckle to myself at seeing just how much "stuff" I'll be sending off which I started this afternoon. I've decided (quite wisely as it's turned out) to spread my shipping out over a couple of days in order to lessen the credit card pain. And this is after I sold my television, living room carpet, assorted odds and ends and much of what was left from my August sea lift. After poking away at it for the past few days I've amassed 23 cardboard boxes (a great deal containing my library of books and roughly 1000 CD's), 19 plastic bins, 1 suitcase, 1 cardboard tube containing my wall hangings, my cross-country skis, one trumpet and one backpack. (I think someone really needs to explore the possibility of long-term storage.)

Now, as long as I remember to lift with my legs and not my back I should be just fine.

Limbo

2009-07-12T16:19:00.005-04:00

I find myself in a state of limbo at the moment...all packed up and nowhere to go. While the new position in Alberta comes with a housing unit I have yet to be assigned one. I was hoping to move my belongings from Nunavut directly to the new community rather than moving back to Ontario and then on Alberta. I emailed the HR at my new board asking when I might learn of my new mailing address and was told that housing is assigned by the school principal but the school is getting a new principal this coming school year and he has yet to arrive there. HR forwarded my email on to Housing who informed me that housing will be assigned once I get closer to my moving date. I'm just not sure how I'm supposed to nail down a moving date when I'm not sure where to send my stuff to. At least I've arranged for a man in town with a truck to help me move my stuff. He comes tomorrow. So I really hope I wake up tomorrow to see an email telling me the new address. At the moment, I've made up two sets of labels for my boxes - one with Lisa's address and the other for General Delivery to Janvier, Alberta. I'd rather not have to use the latter address yet until I know for sure where exactly I'm going. I've taught in Nunavut for 6 years. My reward for this is that I get no help from Qikiqtani School Operations and have to move myself.

I'm considering moving my belongings to Brockville as that would make it easier to move my effects and Lisa's from one location rather than two. I don't even know when my first work day is in Alberta other than it is sometime during the third week of August. So time is of the essence. I'm just leery of my belongings not arriving in Brockville in time before we have to head out from there as we plan to drive there to cut down on costs. That, plus we enjoy road trips.

I wouldn't describe myself as a control freak by any stretch of the imagination but the idea that I can't make firm plans because I have to rely on the actions (or inactions) of others, drives me around the bend at times. I recently saw a news item which mentioned that the Dominion Institute of Canada had given the province of Alberta a grade of "F" for the teaching of Canadian history. I would add geography to this as well as it appears that someone there has no concept of what is involved of moving out of a community in the High Arctic.

I'm sure everything will work out in the end. I am an optimist afterall. I just wish a few people would get the lead out so that I could get a move on and get out of this limbo-like situation with dancing unicorns and singing frogs in which I currently find myself.

Past Connections

2009-07-11T15:58:00.009-04:00

I won't bore you with the minutiae of my day, which for the most part has been taken up with packing. I'll just say that while things started off slowly, it seems the pace has vastly sped up the past couple days. In my haste to pack I have yet to pack something up only to realize that I still need it (knock on wood). I discovered the other day that I had left my camera back in Ontario so I won't be taking any more photos up here. For the moment I'll just have to rely on older ones from my library.

So anyway...on to my thought du jour. As one who has traveled around the country quite a bit, my interest is always piqued when I run across people or things that remind me of other places I've visited in the past that I hold connections to. During my PEI trip at one of the lighthouses I saw, there was a little display about the history of the Northumberland Ferry Lines. I had seen a few signs with NFL on them but wasn't sure to what it referred (and, yes, I did at first confuse them with the National Football League, I'm embarrassed to admit.)

Among the nice visuals in one of the rooms was one which mentioned one of the ferry line's earliest ships. The "Waubic" was built in Collingwood, Ontario, where I was born. In the 1930's, the Waubic was damaged in a fire in Kingsville, Ontario, the place where I did a lot of my in-class practicums during teachers college. The "Waubic" served faithfully until the 1950's, when it was finally gutted by a second fire in Nova Scotia.

Northumberland is also the name of the county in Ontario I grew up in.

So a few interesting connections to places from my past. Perhaps not earth-shattering to most of my readers but I thought it was pretty neat.

Government Working Hard For You

2009-07-10T15:27:00.002-04:00

One of my many tasks today, aside from packing like a maniac, was to pick up and then sort through the backlog of mail that had accumulated at the post office during my absence. Among the bills was a little gem from Nunavut Arctic College. (As I'm sure I've mentioned in previous posts, one of the places I applied to during my big job hunt was to Nunavut Arctic College for adult education positions in various communities.) The letter from them (which they had sent via registered mail) informed me that I was screened out for an interview for one particular community which will remain nameless. No big deal now since I already have employment lined up. I can't help but wonder though if a simple e-mail would have sufficed. It would have saved the College, and by extension the Government of Nunavut, the $8.04 it cost them to mail the letter to me.

The Grand Tour

2009-07-09T18:51:00.002-04:00

I left Ottawa yesterday and after a great deal of flying I am now back in Nunavut. The airport out at Nanisivik is roughly 3100 km from Ottawa as the crow flies. Due to inclement weather though, I took the scenic route getting back, racking up a great deal of air mileage in the process. The journey went something like this - fly from Ottawa to Iqaluit, short layover and then on to Hall Beach for a "technical stop" as I was told; fly from Hall Beach to Nanisivik but the weather was too overcast and the winds were gusting in the neighbourhood of 80km/hour so on we fly to Resolute; spend the night in Resolute, wake up at 5 am; fly from Resolute to Nanisivik but again the weather is not conducive to a safe landing so on the plane flies -- all the way back to Iqaluit; wait in Iqaluit a couple hours then back on the plane en route to Nanisivik; again, no landing possible due to high winds so the flight diverts to Pond Inlet; wait in Pond Inlet about an hour; consider renting a boat of some sort to get back to Arctic Bay; finally, word comes that there is a break in the weather so off we go back to Nanisivik where we finally touch down. Whew! In total I flew about 7015 km in less than 36 hours.

Today is Nunavut Day, the day when Nunavummiut celebrate the anniversary of the signing of the Nunavut Act in 1993. This year I guess I celebrated by embarking on a grand farewell tour of sorts!

So I'm New To This Parenting Thing...But I'm Learning

2009-07-08T07:00:00.000-04:00

Meet My Motivation

2009-07-07T07:00:00.004-04:00

Okay, time to come clean. I've made several mentions of Lisa and the kids now. So here they are, in all their cuteness.

Aren't they just the cutest?

Tamara (age 5), Nicholas (age 4) and Elijah (age 7 months)

Isn't she angelic? ...and she tolerates my crazy humour too. Give this woman a medal!

In all seriousness though, I love this woman. I'm a lucky man.