Arctic Bay Sun Celebration

The teachers & students of Inuujaq School were treated to a 10-day spring break after March 27th.  We were free to do whatever until April 7th.  From what I overheard, many would be going out on the land, staying at their cabins, sleeping, visiting Pond Inlet, and hanging out at the community hall with friends.  I too made plans for the break and looked forward to completing the entire itinerary.  (More on this in future posts).

            

On Saturday, March 28th, the Youth Committee & local Food Bank organized an afternoon Sun Celebration at the community hall.  (The committees were aware that the sun had returned over a month ago.  "Better late than never," I was told.)  Extensive planning and preparation had gone into this event.  This was evident after looking through the program booklet. 

            

The celebration began at 2:30pm with an opening ceremony.  There was an opening prayer, lighting of quilliqs, throat singers, drum dancers, and ajaajaa (pronounced a-yah-yah) singers.  I was unable to be in attendance because I was at the school supervising cadet afternoon sports.  The cadets were dismissed early because of the celebration but by the time I arrived at the community hall, the opening ceremony was over.

            

The feast had just begun when I walked inside the building.  On the menu were: chili, char stew, vegetables, traditional foods, snacks, coffee, tea, and hot chocolate.  I sat at the back of the hall ate my plate of food.  One of the traditional foods I was eager to try was cooked polar bear meat.  In short, the meat tasted like caribou, the "chicken of the north".  It's a meat definitely worth trying. 

            

People enjoying the feast.

Polar bears are not endangered; they're classified as vulnerable species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.  Polar bear hunting is strictly controlled in Canada through the use of quotas, permits, and residency requirements.  About 500 polar bears are hunted every year across the country.  The Nunavut quota is 60.  Inuit hunters wanting to hunt bears have to submit an application at their local hamlet office; their names are then placed in a draw.  It's like playing the lottery because only a certain number of permits are assigned to each community and they're always more hunters than available permits.  For non-residents of Nunavut and non-resident foreigners, there are also a number of fees you're required to pay, such as licensing and approved guides.  (Hunting with a licensed guide is mandatory).  The use of motorized vehicles is forbidden; you can only use dog teams.

            

A traditional clothing contest was held after the feast.  Contestants were competing for $50 & $100 gift certificates from the Co-op.  The small number of contestants stood at the front of the hall so that everyone could see their outfits.  The clothes were made from caribou and seal skins. 

            

The next section of the program gave participants the option to partake in a variety of games inside and outside the community hall.  The energetic people went outside to try their luck at the five-legged races while the rest stayed inside to play Inuit string games.  I stayed inside and photographed everyone playing.

            

King George V Mountain

I stepped outside to get some fresh air.  I took some photos of King George V Mountain and three kids playing soccer out on the ice.  The leg races were finished so I was unable to take any action shots.  The town scavenger hunt began several minutes later.  Participants could work in groups and were free to look all over town to find the items on the list.  The use of vehicles was also allowed because of the limited amount of time.  I watched people race off in all directions in their trucks, skidoos, and atvs.  Someone was able to find all the items on the list but I forget who it was.  They received a $50 gift certificate.

            

While the scavengers roamed the town looking for "hidden treasures", Inuit children competed in an egg-spoon race.  While balancing an egg on a large spoon, kids had to walk as fast as they could around a high school student and make it back to the stage without dropping their eggs.  Some made it while others did not.  There were a lot of close calls too.   

            

High school Inuktitut teacher Kataisee
cradles her nephew Jake while watching
the stick game.

Inuit children and elders sat down in a large circle after the race to play a stick game.  The game is similar to cup-and-ball except you're trying to catch a piece of animal bone on a stick.  Each person was given three tries before passing the device to the next person.  Those who were unsuccessful were removed from the game.  Those who were successful were allowed to stay for the next round.  The game continued until there were two or three people left in the circle.  The prizes were $20 gift certificates.       

            

The sun pinata being put together.

The sun celebration organizers saved the best activity for last: the sun piñata.  A week before the event, they built a large piñata out of newspapers, paper-maché, and coloured tissue paper.  They filled the centre with enough candy to feed a large crowd.  Now the moment had come to forcefully break open the piñata.  The sun piñata was hung from the ceiling in the middle of the hall.  Everyone gathered around in a large circle, excited and eager to beat it with a stick.  Several teachers and I stood on stage to photograph and film the entire spectacle.

            

The activity was led by two southern teachers.  They decided to let the smaller children hit the piñata first, otherwise the larger kids would break it open in a few minutes.  The chosen kids were blindfolded and spun around three times before being given the stick.  They were allowed three hits.  There were some misses, many good hits, several really-good hits, and a few brutal hits.  The kids with the brutal hits had channeled all their inner strength (or anger) into their grip and "went postal".  We were glad they didn't let go of the stick or swing it in the wrong direction.

            

It took about 10 and a half minutes to break open the piñata.  When the candy hit the floor, everyone charged into the centre.  It reminded me of the traditional country food feasts I've attended just not as intense.  The intensity made me think of a fierce game of rugby.  Thankfully, no one was hurt.  I was glad to the have captured everything on camera.

              

Once all the candy was taken, the community hall was cleaned and swept.  The event was a success and a perfect way to begin spring break.

Busy March

The busy month of March continued with midterm report cards & parent-teacher interviews on Wednesday, March 11.  Parents & guardians were invited to come in the afternoon to pick up report cards and talk to teachers about any irregularities and life in the classroom.  Naturally, afternoon classes were cancelled.  Four hours were set aside for the occasion.  Unfortunately, I didn't meet the parents/guardians of all my students, but I was glad that I met a few.

            

Arrivals Lounge. Winnipeg Airport.

I flew down to Winnipeg in the middle of the month for a short weekend conference that centered on the Canadian cadet program.  Officers from various cadet corps across the prairie provinces and territories were coming together to plan for the 2015-2016 training year.  I was representing 3045 Army Corps, Canada's most northern cadet corps.  I was a little nervous because this would be my first time travelling abroad as a member of the Cadet Instructor Cadre (CIC).  But I was also excited to be flying to Winnipeg because 17 years have passed since my last visit to the city.  The arrivals lobby at the Winnipeg Airport looks more colourful and circular. The planning conference took place at the military base next to the Winnipeg Airport.  The Department of National Defence (DND) paid for the flights, accommodations, and meals.

            

I had to take two days off work for travel.  I prepared the necessary teaching materials for the supply teacher before I left.  Everything was looking good until I got stranded in Iqaluit for two days on the way back to Arctic Bay.  Poor weather conditions were affecting the towns of Arctic Bay and Resolute (Bay).  First Air booked me on the next available flight but left me to find my own accommodation.  Thankfully, there was a spare room at the Discovery Lodge.  I kept in touch with the supply teacher via phone and advised him on what to teach my students.  The DND would reimburse me for the added hotel & food expenses.          

            

(If Arctic Bay and/or Resolute (Bay) is/are hit with adverse weather, the First Air flight from Iqaluit is cancelled.  It's more frustrating for Arctic Bay travellers because the flight will get cancelled if the weather is only affecting Resolute Bay.  Resolute Bay is to the northwest of Arctic Bay.  I've been told that flying just halfway would be a waste of fuel.  The set routine is that the First Air plane flies all the way to Resolute and then back down the following day.)  

When I was flying back to Arctic Bay, I decided to travel in my CADPAT military fatigues for the first leg of the journey.  I wanted to observe/experience the reactions of the general public.  CADPAT stands for Canadian Disruptive Pattern and is a "computer-generated digital camouflage pattern designed to reduce the likelihood of detection by night-vision devices."  The Canadian military implemented this new system in the early 2000s.  There are currently four variations of the pattern.  In short, I got a lot of looks from travellers.  Thankfully, none of them appeared to be negative.  One gentleman actually stopped and spoke to me about all the good things Canadian soldiers were doing around the world.  I thanked him for his support.       

            

A Grade 9 student poses in front of the posters she & her classmates made.

I returned to Arctic Bay right when Inuujaq School was in the middle of Drop the Pop (DTP) Week.  DTP is an annual health promotion campaign that began in Nunavut in 2004.  Its goals are "to increase students' awareness of how sugary drinks affect their health, and to encourage students and their families to drink/eat healthier beverages and foods, and make healthy lifestyle choices."  The promotion campaign targets students from kindergarten to grade 12.  Yukon & the Northwest Territories adopted the initiative in 2005 & 2006.  Many other Canadian jurisdictions followed suit.

            

The week culminated in a school-community breakfast & poster challenge on the morning of Friday, March 20.  The staff came to school very early to set up the gym and prepare breakfast for students and community members.  The menu consisted of: grilled cheese sandwiches, hardboiled eggs, cheese, apples, crackers, carrots, juice, Yop, coffee, and tea.  The students had been busy all week creating eye-catching posters to dissuade people from drinking sugary drinks, and instead consume more nutritious beverages, such as water, juice, and milk.  The posters would be reviewed by a panel of judges and several winners would be chosen.

            

Several teachers & I prepared plates of food so that it would be easier to serve.  Having a buffet-like breakfast would have created long lines and taken too long to complete.  We delicately stacked the plates so that they wouldn't spill onto the floor.  When the breakfast began at 9am, the gym was filled with students, parents, and elders.  DTP posters lined the walls of the gym.  The teachers served the food and beverages to everyone after an elder said a prayer.  While everyone ate, the small panel of three judges walked around the gym and selected the best posters.  The winners received gift certificates from the Co-op store.  At the end of the breakfast, teachers & students returned to their classes.  Several people stayed behind to help the custodial staff clean up the gym.

            

During the last full week of March, the school hosted two instructors from ACTUA, a registered charity that provides "interactive education enrichment experiences in science, engineering, technology, and mathematics."  The instructors had originally prepared a variety of workshops for the K-9 students, but managed to find the time to organize an extra workshop for the high school students.  They would be learning about simple machines and how to build them.  (I'm not sure what the K-9 workshops were specifically about).

            

Two students work on designing their
simple machine.

The high school students & teachers assembled in the science classroom during third period.  I stood at the back of the classroom taking photographs as the instructors introduced themselves and launched into their workshop about simple machines.  They began by reviewing the six simple machines that people use to lift weights.  They are: pulleys, inclined planes, wedges, screws, levers, and axels.  The students were then presented with the challenge of designing and building a simple machine using the materials provided by the instructors.  They could either work alone or in pairs.  Before the bell rang, the students managed to build some impressive looking machines.

              

One of the 40+ submissions entered
into the contest.

And finally, on Friday, March 27, an afternoon assembly was held in the gym to announce the winners of the "My Dream Home Contest".  The contest was organized by Aga, the high school art teacher.  "The idea came from Kataisee's class," she explained.  (Kataisee is the high school Inuktitut teacher).  "Her students had been talking about the housing shortage in Nunavut and in Arctic Bay.  The other focus of the contest was to get students thinking about long range planning.  What would your house look like if you were planning to start a family and have kids?"

            

The contest was open to all grades, but they were divided into three categories: K-4, 5-8, & 9-high school.  K-4 students had to design their own dream room and had to submit a drawing or diorama/model.  The 5-8 students also had to design their own dream room but had to submit a floor plan.  The 9-12 students were required to design a whole house and submit the floor plans.  Participants were given one week to complete their designs.  At the end of the week, Aga received 40+ submissions.   

         

Piuyuq addresses the audience.

The designs were posted around the gym for everyone to see.  As the student body sat in the middle of the gym, the four judges walked around the perimeter and judged each plan.  The four judges were: the mayor, representatives from the Hamlet Office & District Education Authority, and Kaitlynd, the school's student support teacher.  Aga presided over the assembly as the English emcee and Piuyuq, the Grade 1 teacher, was the Inuktitut emcee.  The third, second, and first place winners of each group were called up to the front to receive their prizes.  The prizes were Northern Store gift certificates and art supplies.

Late February, Early March

I spent Sunday evening at school preparing lessons.  The original plan was to spend the entire day there but because of the flight cancellation, we didn't fly into Arctic Bay until Sunday afternoon.  Thankfully, I got everything done without having to spend the entire night.

            

School reconvened on Monday, February 23rd.  Upon welcoming me back to town, my students wanted to know how I enjoyed Iqaluit.  I told them that the conference was fun, it gave me the opportunity to learn new things, and to enjoy the "big city."  My students spent the week hunting, playing hockey, visiting relatives, and in some cases, sleeping all day. 

            

My Grade 10 English students began their novel study, the assigned novel being The Boy in the Striped Pajamas.  The book was written by John Boyne and published in 2006.  A feature film was produced & released in 2008.  The plot is about a nine-year-old German boy named Bruno who lives in Berlin during World War 2.  When his father gets promoted to the rank of Commandant, the family has to move to a camp called "Out-With" (aka Auschwitz).  At first, Bruno is upset about the move but ends up befriending a nine-year-old Jewish boy named Shmuel who lives at the camp.

            

I chose the novel because my students wanted to know more about the Holocaust.  The novels, audio book, and DVD were all ordered a month in advance.  Listening to a recording of the text being read would be easier than reading out loud.  The story covers 215 pages of text, and if we were to read it ourselves, we would lose our voices at the end of the day, every day.  We would pause at the end of each chapter and answer questions & complete an activity.  By the second week of March, we were on Chapter 11.  (There are 20 chapters in total). 

             

In Grade 11 Social Studies, my students began their study of the First World War.  We started by looking at the unification of Germany, the European arms race in the early 20th century, the two military alliances that divided Europe, and the appeal of using propaganda to control public opinion.  We also reviewed Europe's imperialist ambitions in Africa, North America, and Asia.  With the background information now understood, we moved on to the events that caused the First World War, starting with the assassination in Sarajevo, followed by the mobilization of soldiers and declarations of war.  By the second week of March, my students were learning about the horrors of trench warfare. 

            

My guitarists had a less morbid agenda.  They practiced strumming 8th notes using down strokes and upstrokes, playing more basic chords & catchy riffs, and learning how to count & play dotted notes & rests.  The main challenge with playing chords is being able to switch between them without having to look at your fingers and/or slowing down your speed. 

            

My students were really excited when I announced that I wanted them to submit a list of songs they wanted to learn on guitar because I was putting together a fake book.  A fake book "is a collection of musical lead sheets," containing the melody line, basic chords, and lyrics.  This gives a musician enough information to make an impromptu arrangement.  I estimated it would take me about 3 weeks to get the fake books ready.  I had to find the right arrangements online, format everything in Microsoft Word, and then print & bind the books.  In the meantime, I kept my guitarists occupied with what I mentioned in the previous paragraph. 

            

I was invited to an evening dinner with several southern teachers to mark the end of February.  On the menu were chicken & beef tournedos, sweet potato fries, corn on the cob, and couscous ("the food so nice, they named it twice!").  The host couple had ordered the tournedos from M&M Meat Shops.  The meal was also a good way to welcome the month of March.

            

On Tuesday, March 10, Arctic Bay's 3045 Army Cadet Corps held an evening Parents Night Parade at Inuujaq School.  The cadets would be inspected by a guest reviewing officer, do a march past, and receive promotions, awards, and badges.  Their parents would have the opportunity to witness & photograph the proceedings.  The cadets arrived at the school's gym at 5:45pm to set up tables, chairs, and the flags of Canada & cadets.  The cadets quickly reviewed a few drill movements before it was time to start the parade.

            

The parade began at 6:30pm.  The cadets were wearing their green dress uniforms and black parade boots.  The gym was filled with parents, friends, and elders.  Lt. May, the Commanding Officer of corps, acted as the emcee.  The guest reviewing officer was an RCMP officer who was just assigned to Arctic Bay.  She wore her red serge uniform for the occasion.  After she inspected the cadets on parade, the cadet warrant officer led the platoon in a march past for the audience. 

            

Top female & male cadets.

Next came the awards section of the program.  There were a handful of promotions, awards, and badges to hand out to a selected number of cadets.  A few of the new recruits were promoted to the rank of Lance-Corporal (formerly known as Private).  Many cadets were called up to the Dias to receive fitness badges and marksmanship badges.  The top male & female cadets from last year were also called up to place their names on the top cadet trophy.  The last item was to recognize the biathlon team for performing well at Whitehorse and the cadets who would be travelling to Europe for the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe. 

            

The swearing in of OCdt Swoboda
(third from the left).

The final part of the parade was the swearing in of a new officer cadet into the cadet instructor cadre (CIC).  The CIC is a corps of Canadian military officers who specifically work with cadets.  The last person to be sworn into the CIC by 3045 Army was me on November 11, 2013.  This time it would be Arctic Bay's mental health nurse.

            

Lt. May carried out the attestation, making sure the flag of Canada, a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, and witnesses (the audience) were present.  Once the oath was recited, everyone congratulated Officer Cadet Swoboda with an applause.  She accepted the applause with a smile.

            

A short reception was held after the parade.  Everyone enjoyed cupcakes, cookies, bannock, tea, and coffee.