Thursday, August 17, 2023

A Quick Summer & A Narwhal To Skin

Warning: The images contained in this post may be graphic for some.

My summer vacation was quick, or at least, felt quick.  I didn’t really travel anywhere and stayed in one place.  More money for an expensive trip in the future, I guess.  I stayed with family and visited old friends.  I also spent 2 weeks completing my sealift order.  I drove to many stores all over town, bought a year’s worth of items, and personally delivered them to the local shipping company.  They do offer a pickup service, but I decided against it.  They delivered my stuff to the port in Montreal where it was crated and placed on a Desgagnes ship.  My stuff should arrive next month (September). 

I flew to Arctic Bay in early August.  I wanted to get reacclimatized before the start of school.  There were no travel delays this time.  I spent a few hours reorganizing my residence.

The first day for (school) staff was August 9.  School Administration held a welcome back staff meeting in my classroom.  There were several new faces.  Brief introductions were made by everyone.  The principal and vice-principal went over the general plan of the upcoming school year, what needs to be done before the first school day, and upcoming events in August.  Staff were then dismissed to prepare their classrooms.

About thirty minutes later, word quickly spread that the husband of a student support assistant (SSA) was getting ready to harvest a narwhal on the beach.  He caught the large female mammal the day before.  Everyone grabbed their jackets and walked over to where the harvest would take place.  I made sure to bring my camera.

Knives were being sharpened when we arrived.  The narwhal was big.  I started filming as the first knife went it.  Everyone watched as one large rectangular cut was made on one side.  The knife was sharp.  The rectangle was divided into smaller cuts and pieces were removed in large slices.  A few more hunters joined the harvest.  The flippers and tail were removed and placed in a separate pile.  The narwhal was carefully moved onto its other side and the cutting process was repeated.  Several pieces were distributed to people in plastic bags.  I didn’t take any because I have enough country food at home.  Staff returned to school after 45 minutes.

Fast forward to August 14, the first day of school for students.  Staff arrived early in the morning to setup the gym and prepare food for the welcome back assembly and community breakfast.  The Home Ec Room was busy with staff cutting various fruits, meats, and cheese.  Hard boiled eggs were also prepared.  The food was then carried to the gym in large bowls and trays.  The bowls & trays were placed on a long row of tables.  Juice boxes, coffee, tea, and paper plates were placed on smaller tables.  Food plates were prepared before the bell rang.  This would make distribution easier and faster.  You don’t want to keep the audience waiting.

The assembly began at 9am.  The principal welcomed everyone in attendance to the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year.  He then called the staff up to the front to briefly introduce themselves and state their role in the school.  The food was then blessed by an Elder and then distributed by staff.  The food tasted great.  Everyone was done eating after 30 minutes.

Students and teachers were dismissed to their classrooms.  High school students stayed behind to help clean the gym.  They went to their respective classes thereafter.

The school year had officially begun.



Monday, June 12, 2023

Before The Summer Break

The last day of school for students was June 5.  Students assisted teachers in cleaning the classrooms and throwing out work they no longer wanted.  Final report cards were handed out in the afternoon.  A few minutes before the last school bell rang, the principal came over the PA system and wished students a safe & happy summer.  The bell rang and students celebrated the end of school.  When I was growing up, Alice Cooper’s School’s Out would play in my mind.  When I was in high school, it was Mel Gibson shouting “Freedom!” in Braveheart. 

The last day of school for staff was June 6 (next day).  There was a bunch of housekeeping duties we had to complete before we were dismissed for summer break.  Some of them included making sure the classrooms were clean, the desks & chairs were piled into one area of each classroom, and posters removed from walls.  Speaking of posters & walls, this was the same for the main hallway.  Any borrowed electronics needed to be returned to the main office.  

A year-end staff get together was held in the afternoon.  Snacks were served.  It was a nice way for staff to unwind after working hard for 10 months.  Staff talked about their summer plans, and we said goodbye to teachers who wouldn’t be returning in August.

Many southern teachers left on June 7, but I chose to delay my departure until Friday.  I needed an extra two days to relax at home, clean, and pack. 

I flew down south on June 9.  The plane took off at noon.  I took several photos of the community as the plane ascended into the sky.  There was still snow & ice in the bay, but it was beginning to melt.  The was also snow on mountain tops.

Canadian North, unfortunately, recently changed its plane routes, so the plane first landed in Resolute Bay.  (The community is further north than Arctic Bay).  We picked up more passengers and then flew down to Iqaluit.  Thankfully, the flight to Ottawa was in the evening, but I arrived in the nation’s capital in the very late evening.  At least I didn’t have to overnight in Iqaluit.

As always, I’ll be taking a break from my blogging duties for the duration of the summer.  See you all in August!

     

Saturday, June 10, 2023

HS Graduation (2023)

June 2.  The day had finally arrived for two excited & relieved senior high school students.  They were graduating high school and moving on to the next chapter of their lives.

As mentioned before, the community hall was decorated days in advance.  Food preparation was much easier for the Graduation Committee in that they didn’t have to prepare any.  The local hotel catered this year!  I think this was the first time since I’ve been here where the graduation dinner was catered.  The hotel’s cook & kitchen staff prepared and transported everything.  We just had to set up tables.  The dinner began at 6:00pm.

Everyone attended in their best attire.  The local RCMP & our MLA David Akeeagok was in attendance.  The food was blessed by an Elder and the grads were invited to be the first to receive their food.  Everyone followed thereafter.  The dinner lasted an hour.  Everyone assisted in the clean up and rearranging the hall for the graduation ceremony.

The ceremony began at 8pm with the local RCMP leading the two graduates to the main stage.  Everyone applauded as the graduates took their seats on stage.  An Elder led everyone in a short prayer and then another lit a ceremonial qulliq.

The principal welcomed everyone to the ceremony and congratulated the two graduates for completing their high school education.  He admitted the journey must have been difficult at times but assured them that it was all worth it.  Now with high school behind them, the grads were ready to explore all the possibilities the world has to offer.  He encouraged them to try new things, explore the world, and if possible, consider becoming a teacher.  He then presented the grads their diplomas. 

The ceremony moved onto awards.  The awards were: Hamlet of Arctic Bay (HAB), Volunteer Achievement, Athletic Achievement, Inuktitut Language, and the Governor General’s Award (GGA).  The HAB & GGA awards are similar in that they’re given to the top academically performing student.  The only difference is the GGA also comes with a large ceremonial coin. 

MLA David Akeeagok was invited to the podium to say a few words to the graduates in the audience.  Similar to the principal’s address, he congratulated the students for finishing high school, wished them all the best, and encouraged them to inspire others to finish high school.

The graduates were invited to address the audience.  It’s not mandatory, but the offer is there.  One graduate accepted the invitation and did a short thank you speech.

Parents/Guardians were also invited to address the graduates & audience.  A few came forward and offered their own congratulations. 

The vice-principal did the closing remarks, thanking everyone for attending and supporting the graduates.  The graduates were led off the stage by the RCMP while music played in the background.  The crowd applauded the graduates one last time. 

The graduates had their pictures taken with the graduation cake.  The cake was then cut and distributed to the people in attendance.  Of course, the grads received the first pieces.  The grads then posed for more photographs with the MLA, RCMP, teachers, family, and friends.  The celebrations lasted well into the night.

 

Tuesday, June 6, 2023

Recognition & Celebration

June 1 was a day of recognition & celebration at Inuujaq School.  The perfect way to start the month. 

The day began with staff arriving in the early morning to prepare food in the Home Ec Room and setup the gym for the first assembly.  Staff cut & prepared large assortments of fruits, vegetables, meats, and hardboiled eggs, and then carried them to the gym.  I helped in the gym, setting up tables, plates, sound system, chairs, and garbage cans.  Several teachers taped large posters on the gym walls.  The food was divided amongst the paper plates.  This would make distribution easier & faster.  Everything was ready to go before the ringing of the first bell.

The morning assembly was dedicated to recognizing & celebrating the 43-year educational career of Morty, highlighting her many achievements, and to wish her a happy retirement.

The assembly began at 10:00am.  Parents, guardians, and community members were invited to attend.  The principal welcomed everyone, and the high school Inuktitut teacher led everyone in a short prayer.  Morty was given a comfortable red chair to sit, giving her a front row seat to the festivities in her honour.

A group of students performed a square dance.  The routine was energetic, fun, and lasted for about 10 minutes.  It’s quite impressive to see young kids able to dance that long without a break.  I was told some routines last much longer.  Morty and the audience clapped along to the music while the dancers showed off their skills.

The principal continued the assembly with a prepared congratulatory speech to Morty for her many years of dedication and hard work in Inuit education.  An Inuit staff member translated the words into Inuktitut for the unilingual audience members.  (Morty is bilingual).  The principal led everyone in giving Morty a standing ovation at the end of his speech.

Former students of Morty, many of whom are on school staff, did a short celebratory dance with Morty.  The dance was spontaneous, but she appreciated it.

The head of the local District Education Authority (DEA) did short congratulatory speech and rewarded Morty with several gifts.  The Grade 2 class continued the assembly by singing a few songs in Inuktitut and playing the Inuit drum.

Inuujaq School staff posed with Morty for group photograph.  Staff were also invited to say a few words about their time working with Morty and if they wanted to publicly wish her a wonderful retirement.  This invitation was also extended to community members in attendance.

Morty was given the opportunity to address everyone in the gym.  She thanked everyone for coming to the assembly, supporting her through the years, and was glad to see her former students succeed.  She also stated she was glad to have chosen a career in education.

The assembly finished with a breakfast meal.  Well, it was more of a brunch based on the time the plates were handed out.  The food still tasted good.


The second assembly was Kindergarten Graduation.  The students and their parents/guardians & teacher were excited.  Everyone assembled in the gym in the afternoon.  A row of 10 red chairs were placed at the front of the gym for the graduates.  The kindergarteners were led into the gym wearing their blue graduation gowns.  They took their seats while the audience applauded.

Congratulatory speeches were made by principal, vice-principal, and the kindergarten teacher.  They also wished the kindergarteners all the best in Grade 1 and beyond.  The teacher called her students individually to receive a certificate and have their picture taken with her in front of a large poster.  I took the individual and group photographs.  The audience gave the kindergarteners a standing ovation.

 

Saturday, June 3, 2023

The End of May

High school final exams were held at the end of May.  I administered two exams to my Grade 10 & 11 Social Studies students.  We spent several days reviewing the materials.  My Grade 10 Guitar students had a final performance test, playing a chosen piece in front of the class.  They spent several days practicing. 

Snow fell on the community on May 27.  It was surreal but expected.  I’m sure the hunters, fishers, and campers were glad because it meant more time to drive skidoos out on the ice.  I took a few pictures.

High school & middle school students spent the last day of May decorating the community hall for the upcoming High School Graduation ceremony in early June.  (More on this in a future post).  I borrowed a truck from Frank to transport everything the school would need to put on a great show.  There was so much stuff I had to make two trips. 

I parked the truck really close to the community hall steps.  Students unloaded the graduation supplies and placed them in the main lobby.  The Hamlet staff were just finishing mopping the floor.

The red carpets were unrolled and vacuumed.  Decorations were taped to the walls.  When the floor was declared dry, tables and chairs were brought out and placed close to the main stage.  Students also began blowing hundreds of balloons.  I inserted earplugs into my ears because experience taught me several balloons randomly and loudly pop.  And yes, quite a few did.  The balloons were black, gold, and white.

Tablecloths were placed over the tables as well as candles and flowers.  The red carpets were brought in and placed in the middle of the hall, forming a path towards the stage.  The stage itself was decorated white and gold cloths, balloons, a speakers’ podium, and two chairs for the graduates.

The dishes, cups, bowls, and cutlery were placed on a table next to a wall.  Two other tables would serve as the food tables. 

All the preparations were completed in the afternoon.  The community hall looked ready for a celebration.


 

Thursday, May 18, 2023

ACR 2023

3045 Army Cadet Corps of Arctic Bay, Nunavut, held its year-end Annual Ceremonial Review (ACR) Parade on Wednesday, May 10.  An ACR is like a Parents Night Parade but with more awards.  It’s also viewed as a year-end parade for the regular training year.  The original plan was to hold it in April, but Nunavut Quest and Qamutik Cup made that too difficult.  I spent several days putting a program together, sorting awards, finding a Guest Review Officer (GRO), and buying snacks for reception.  The cadets & I also reviewed and practiced the parade format a few times.  Practice makes perfect.

The cadets & I arrived at the school gym an hour early to turn the place into a parade square.  Chairs, tables, flags, reception area, sound system, and photos were all strategically placed.  When all was ready the cadet parade commander took attendance and sized the cadets in a platoon.  Parents, guardians, and friends of the cadets arrived and took their seats. 

The parade began at 6:30pm.

I marched in with the GRO following behind me.  The GRO was the Vice-Principal of Inuujaq School.  We halted at the front of the parade square.  General Salute and O Canada were played.  The cadet parade commander approached us, introduced himself, and escorted the GRO through the cadet ranks so she could inspect them.  The GRO returned to the front of the parade square and the cadets performed a March Past to demonstrate their ability to move together as a disciplined & synchronized team.

The parade continued with the longest section of the program: awards & honours.  There are a lot of give out at the ACR.  Prior to the start of the parade, I instructed the cadets to set up a line of chairs at the back of the gym for them to use if they felt they were going to faint.  I also set up a small table with cups of water for them to drink.  I knew the chairs and cups of water would be heavily used during this part of the parade.

The GRO assisted me with the awards & honours by presenting them to the chosen cadets and taking a picture with them.         

I started with the marksmanship badges.  Five cadets improved their skills since the last Parents Night Parade in February.  I then called the Marksmanship Team to publicly congratulate them for their first-place finish in Winnipeg.  They each received a t-shirt and an extended applause from the audience.

Next were the physical fitness badges.  Eight cadets earned Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Excellence.

Training in the army cadet program is divided into star levels.  A year is required to complete a star level, similar to grade levels in school.  There are five levels: Green, Red, Silver, Gold, and Master.  All cadets were called to the front to receive their star level badges.  They would advance to the next level after summer.  The master cadets remain at the master level but work on achieving the National Star of Excellence (NSoE).  I’m glad to announce that two senior cadets achieved Level 1 this year.  (There are 4 levels).

The next batch of awards & honours was the plaques and trophies.  The first plaque award was the Most Improved Cadet.  This award goes to the cadet who has shown great improvement in areas of training, behaviour, and ability.  The second award was the Best Boots & Deportment trophy, awarded to the cadet who wore and maintained their parade boots and dress uniform the entire year.  The next trophy was the Best Female & Male Athletes.  This year it was a tie in both categories.  Three cadets achieved the Attendance Award for maintaining a high rate of attendance.  They each received a t-shirt.

The highly coveted Top Cadet Award went to a senior cadet who exceeded in leadership, drill, instruction, and deportment.  He received a backpack and t-shirt.

I saved promotions for last.  Six cadets received promotions.  Five Lance Corporals and a Sergeant. 

In my closing remarks I congratulated the cadets for their achievements, and thanked everyone in the audience for coming to support their local army cadet corps.  I also thanked Inuujaq School’s vice principal for being the GRO.

The parade concluded with the cadets doing an Advance in Review Order and a General Salute.  The GRO & I exited the gym, and the cadets were dismissed.  The parade officially ended.

The cadets & I posed for a group photo and then enjoyed the reception.  The clean up began thirty minutes later.  The cadets were dismissed for the night after the gym was spotless.