Melting, Running, Celebrating

I guess "Old Man Winter" was playing a joke on everyone in Arctic Bay.  Just when it was starting to look like all the snow was here to stay, the weather suddenly turned warm.  The snow began to melt, revealing all the hidden rocks and erasing the newly created skidoo trails.  The roads once again turned to mud and all the local skidoo enthusiasts, me included, were forced to leave their machines at home.  Even though the forecast called for more snow to fall, the sun was out and shining brightly.  I reluctantly accepted this change in weather and reverted back to walking to work and around town.

            

New Health Centre: almost done.

The morning of Saturday, September 24, was very bright and picturesque.  I was walking to school, wanting to catch up on marking & prepare lessons, when I decided to stop and take photos of the town.  I know I've already taken hundreds of photos of Arctic Bay for the last three years, but I believe I am capturing history on camera with every photo I take.  The sun was in the right spot and the rays of sunlight were reflecting off the ground, water, and buildings.  I took pictures of the boats behind the breakwater pier, the new health centre, and the three new flags flapping in the wind above the Hamlet Office.  The flags were of Canada, Nunavut, and the Hamlet of Arctic Bay. 

            

The CCGS Terry Fox sailed into Arctic Bay on Sunday, September 25.  The Terry Fox is a heavy icebreaker built in 1983 and operates in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and in the Canadian Eastern Arctic.  The Terry Fox escorts various large vessels through thick ice and can act as a tugboat.

           

The CCGS Terry Fox remained anchored in the bay until Friday, September 30th.  Inuujaq School's Events Committee felt very lucky by this news because they had organized a Terry Fox Run on Thursday, September 29th.  The Captain of the Terry Fox was contacted and he agreed to attend the afternoon school event.      

            

Terry Fox cupcakes.

Terry Fox was a Canadian athlete, humanitarian, and cancer research activist.  He is remembered for the Marathon of Hope of 1980, when he ran from St. John's, Newfoundland, to Thunder Bay, Ontario, a distance of 5,373 kilometres, in 143 days.  His original plan was to run across Canada, but he was forced to stop when cancer spread to his lungs.  The cancer claimed his life on June 28, 1981.  He was 20 years old when he began his trek across the country and only had one good leg.  His right leg had to be amputated in 1977 because of cancer.  He ran up to 42km a day, made many public appearances, and inspired a generation.  His original goal of raising a million dollars was surpassed and just before his death, Canadians raised $23 million for cancer research, almost one dollar for every Canadian.

            

JF & Sarah set up the sound equipment.

The School Events Committee prepared a binder full of Terry Fox related activities for teachers to use in the run up to the assembly on the 29th.  We also watched the tv movie Terry. 

            

Crew of the CCGS Terry Fox.

The assembly began at 2:30pm.  A large table sat at the front of the gym, filled with red, white, and purple cupcakes.  The cupcakes, prepared by JF, were arranged in the shape of the Canadian flag, except the maple leaf was replaced with the face of Terry Fox.  The captain of the CCGS Terry Fox and most of his crew stood alongside a wall and watched as all the teachers & students filed into the gym.  Piuyuq & Sarah gave a short presentation about the life of Terry Fox and showed pictures of him running across Canada.  Piuyuq teaches Grade 1 & Sarah teaches Grade 9.  The captain of the Terry Fox was then invited to say a few words.  After his short speech, pictures were taken of the crew & students. 

            

Everyone proceeded outside to take part in the Terry Fox Run.  The K-5 students ran / walked around the eastside of town while 6 - 12 students ran / walked through the uptown neighbourhood and back to school.  The coast guard members followed the K-5 group.  I took photographs of the students & teachers walking and of the Terry Fox in the bay.  When we returned to school, we were allowed to take a cupcake.

            

Inuujaq School's Terry Fox Run raised $367 for cancer research!

A community feast was held at the community centre on the evening of September 29.  The people of Arctic Bay were celebrating the 40^th anniversary of becoming a hamlet.  Naturally, country food, tea, and coffee was served.  I was running a little late that night, so I hastily packed an ulu, a bottle of soy sauce, a paper towel roll, and several plastic bags into my backpack.  I assumed the country food would be spread out on tarps in the middle of the hall, but the Hamlet Office had decided to hand out the food from rubber boxes on stage.  JF provided cupcakes for the event.

Everyone lined up in front of the stage after the country food was blessed.  Our choices were arctic char, caribou meat, and narwhal.  I wanted to wait until the lines got shorter but I abandoned that plan when I saw that the lines were not getting shorter.  I got into a line for caribou meat with Lindsey, Katilynd’s sister.

“How do you prepare the caribou meat?” she asked.

“You just cut off a piece and eat it,” I replied.

“No, how do you cook it?”

“Why bother?  Just eat it raw!” I exclaimed.  “That’s the best way!”

“It sure is!” added an Inuk man standing in front of us.

“Of course,” I added, “you can boil it or put it in the oven as a roast.  There are probably other ways but that’s all I know.”

“Okay, I’ll give it a try.”

When all the seats are taken, you cut
country food the good old traditional
way: on the floor.

I picked two pieces of caribou meat and the tail end of an arctic char.  I went back to my seat at the back of the hall and took out my ulu.  I began cutting pieces of caribou and ate them.  I decided to be rebellious after several minutes.  I picked up the large piece of caribou meat and ate it with my hands.  I got the feeling that the Inuit were looking at me with curiosity.  They already know I eat raw meat but I guess the site of me actually consuming it is quite the spectacle.  In the past, my stomach could only tolerate a small amount of raw meat, but this time, I was able to eat the whole piece without my stomach getting sick.  I felt proud of myself.  Just a few more tries and I’ll be able to eat a whole caribou raw!

The Week of Snow & Premier Visit

"♫Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.♫"

            

September 11 - 17 was a week full of snow.  On the ground & in the air.  I think "Old Man Winter" didn't want to wait until October and decided to pay Arctic Bay an early visit.  The snow began to fall on the evening of the 11th and continued through the night.  I had to get out my big winter boots to step through all the snow that had piled on my front porch.  My skidoo was still in storage so I had to walk to school.  Snow continued to fall later in the day.

            

I took out my camera while walking home after school and snapped photos of falling snowflakes, and snow covered rooftops & vehicles.  There were quite a few vehicles that were stuck in the snow or had spun out because of the slippery conditions.  The Hamlet Office had to go on local radio and Facebook to announce the closure of all roads until the snow stopped falling.  The roads would then be plowed, followed by the dumping of soil & small rocks.  These would allow vehicle tires to better grip.              

            

The roads were still closed the following day (September 13).  The school bus wasn't in operation and parents did not want to risk driving their children to school.  We all had to walk that morning.  The roads were reopened in the afternoon.  My skidoo was brought to me from the Gas Station.  I drove it back to buy gas. 

            

There was another large snow dump on Thursday, September 15.  There was snow everywhere.  My porch was buried and there was frozen snow hanging over the roof above my front door.  Several small icicles had formed along my door frame.  Naturally, I took many photographs before sweeping all the snow off the tarp that covered my skidoo.  I revved the skidoo engine and drove to work.  I shoveled and brushed all the snow off my porch, wooden rails, and wooden garbage bin after school.

            

Premier Peter Taptuna and three MLAs - Members of the Legislative Assembly - visited Arctic Bay on Friday, September 16.    (The Premier is also an MLA).  They were in town for an afternoon meet-and-greet at the Hamlet Office and to discuss future infrastructure projects in the community.  (The event had to be held at the Hamlet Office because the community hall was booked in advance for a Bible conference.)  My principal granted me permission to attend the meet-and-greet because it was happening during my prep period.  Sarah & her Grade 9 students also attended the event.

            

Country food - raw arctic char & narwhal.

The chairs & tables in the meeting room were pushed to the sides, forming a large open space in the middle.  There were snacks, tea, coffee, bannock, and country food (raw char & narwhal) for community members.  The meeting room slowly filled with elders, adults, children, and students.  I sat next to a window and spotted the premier walking towards the Hamlet Office.  He and the other MLAs were talking at the breakwater pier.  Upon entering the meeting room, they walked around and greeted everyone with a handshake. 

            

Long time Arctic Bay resident Frank May
meets MLA Joe Savikataaq, again.

The three accompanying MLAs were: George Kuksuk, George Hickes, & Joe Savikataaq.  They are all cabinet ministers.  Mr. Kuksuk handles three departments: Culture & Heritage, Languages, and the Nunavut Housing Corporation.  Mr. Hickes looks after two departments: Health, and Suicide Prevention.  And Mr. Savikataaq is also responsible for three departments: Community & Government Services, Environment, and Energy.  He is also the Nunavut Chair for the Hudson Bay Roundtable.  Isaac Shooyook, the MLA for the Quttiktuq constituency, was also present.  He represents Arctic Bay in the Legislative Assembly.    

            

Sarah (right) speaks with Premier
Taptuna (left).

This was my first time meeting the Premier of Nunavut and his three cabinet ministers.  I introduced myself and shook each of their hands.  I explained that I was a teacher and have been teaching at Inuujaq School for the last three & a half years.  I introduced Sarah to the Premier. 

            

The meet-and-greet officially began with MLA Shooyook introducing the Premier and his cabinet ministers to the audience in Inuktitut.  Arctic Bay resident & local translator Mishak Allurut translated his words into English.  The mayor, Geela Arnauyumayuq, also stood at the front.  Sarah & her Grade 9 students sat on the floor in the middle of the room.

            

New health centre.

The visiting guests spoke in English & Inuktitut, explaining their roles in the Nunavut Government, and what the people of Arctic Bay can look forward to in the future.  The most notable & visible construction project at the moment is the new health centre.  The building, roughly 3 times bigger than the old health centre, is quickly taking shape.  If the pace is maintained, the new medical facility should be up and running by late 2017.

            

Construction piles for five-plexes
(left & right sides)

The other two projects that have just started are the two new five-plex buildings being built next to the new health centre.  The piles have just been inserted into the ground, reaching bed rock, and the construction materials for the actual buildings have been brought on site.  One five-plex will be for the nurses and the other will be for public housing.  These five units are not enough to alleviate the overcrowding situation, but it's better than nothing.

            

The mayor was happy that her funding request for a concrete floor inside the hockey arena was approved.  The indoor ice rink was built in 1996 without a concrete floor.  This prevented people from using the arena for sports during the summer.  A concrete floor would enable the city to also purchase turf to be placed on top of it, thus forming a makeshift soccer field.

            

The Grade 9 students had questions about the future possibility of a youth centre & high school being built.  The Premier encouraged the students to work with the Hamlet Office and the youth committee on coming up with a plan before asking for funding.  As for a new high school, the MLAs said that a new school will only get built if a high rate of attendance is maintained.

            

The elders and adults spoke about the need for better communication between MLAs & their constituents and better job opportunities for youth & adults.  Unfortunately, I had to head back to school at this point in the meeting.  I wanted to stay longer but I had to instruct my drummers.  Premier Taptuna and his cabinet ministers were supposed to leave later in the day, but low visibility & snow postponed their flight until the following day.  Overall, the meet-and-greet was nice, but it would have also been beneficial if the Premier and his ministers visited the school and met the students.

            

Saturday, September 17 was the last day of the "Week of Snow."  I had to brush snow off the tarp covering my skidoo again.  The brushing and shoveling all week was tedious but at least I was able to get around town on my skidoo.

            

It's surprising to think that 15 years have already passed since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.  The 15th anniversary of that tragic day occurred on a Sunday this year.  I could have done something on the Friday or Monday with my students to mark the occasion but nothing materialized.  There are some moments in time you never forget and I still remember where I was on that day - in high school, staring out a window, looking at morning traffic when the first plane hit the World Trade Center (WTC).  I was in my second period class when the second plane struck the second tower of the WTC.  I didn't believe the rumors that were flying around until the principal made the announcement over the intercom.  Everything was confirmed when I arrived home to see my parents and brother there.  My parents had been sent home early from work. 

            

Much has changed since that dreadful day, but I feel that it will be many more years before everyone in the world will get along.  I just hope it happens within my lifetime.    

The Mini-Olympics

"When I was granted leave to attend the [Rio] Olympics as a volunteer, I agreed to bring back the experience to Inuujaq School.  As a member of the School Events Committee [SEC], I decided to offer my expertise to organize a special day to celebrate the Olympics and my return to Arctic Bay."

            

The SEC decided to hold a Mini-Olympics for Grades 1-8 and a special presentation for Grades 9-12.  The day was set for Friday, September 9.  Each grade was assigned a country to represent at the Mini-Olympics.  They were tasked with making flags of that country.  The assignments were:

Grade 1 - Canada

Grade 2 - Brazil

Grade 3 - United States of America

Grade 4 - Bangladesh

Grade 5 - Japan

Grade 6 - Trinidad & Tobago

Grade 7 - Ukraine

Grade 8 - Zambia       

"We were trying to be as inclusive as possible and incorporated the countries of origin for four of our staff: Bangladesh for Principal Salam, Trinidad and Tobago for Natalie, Zambia for John, and Ukraine for Adrian."

            

I let Eunice, the Grade 7 teacher, borrow an activity book I had on Ukraine so that her class could learn a little bit about my country and not have any trouble recreating the flag on bristol board.  I thanked JF for including Ukraine by downloading the national anthems of the eight chosen countries that he would play during the opening ceremony.

            

The Mini-Olympics began after morning recess in the gym.  Each class, or should I say country, walked into the gym to the sound of their anthem playing over loudspeakers.  They walked around the gym once, displaying their flags and waving to the spectators.  The teams then sat underneath their respective title cards that were posted around the gym.  JF made & posted the title cards of each country before the opening ceremony.  I really should have packed my Ukrainian flag when I was flying back to Arctic Bay in August.  The principal was excited to see his country being represented.

            

Student Support Assistant Lena, leads
Rebecca around the gym carrying the
Olympic torch.

The gym lights were turned off once all the teams were inside.  JF ran out with the Olympic torch . . . in the form of a flashlight wrapped with red, orange, & yellow construction paper.  He passed the torch to Rebecca, a grade 11 student with special needs.    

            

"This was to commemorate the Paralympics going on at the same time in Rio."

            

Rebecca did a lap around the gym and then placed the torch at the front.  The opening ceremony was completed.

            

The Mini-Olympics continued with a selection of games that the SEC prepared for the event.  They were: sitting volleyball, relay races with eggs, straight relay races, and musk ox push.  (Sitting volleyball is an official sport of the Paralympics).  Badminton nets & balloons were used for sitting volleyball.  The relay races were fast-paced.  JF and a high school student demonstrated the musk ox push, a traditional Inuit game, on newly purchased gym mats.  Then the teams gave the musk ox push a try.  Unfortunately, I was unable to attend the Mini-Olympics in the gym because I had to teach my Grade 11 Social Studies class.  From what I gathered, Ukraine didn't come in first place, but also didn't come in last place.  "Ukraine is not weak!"

            

Musk ox push.

Before the students were dismissed for lunch, JF held a raffle.  He drew names from each country and gave them various paraphernalia he brought back from Brazil.  Some of these items included: official plastic drinking cups, small special flavoured pops (sodas), Brazilian coins, and small flags of Brazil.   

            

The special presentation was held during the last period of the day.  JF prepared a slideshow of his time in Rio and was excited to share the pictures he took and the stories he experienced.  He would conclude his presentation with a raffle, similar to the one he held in the gym.

            

Everyone packed into JF's classroom.  Three large flags of Brazil, Nunavut, and the Olympics hung on the walls.  The Rio Olympics logo was displayed on the StarBoard in front of the class.  JF was still wearing his bright yellow, orange, & green Rio t-shirt and matching cap.  When everyone was seated, he began the presentation.

            

He began by speaking about the application process, the interviews, and the lessons he had to take to get ready for the trip of a lifetime.  His official title was Service Desk Team Member.  He was tasked with assisting in supervising the Service Desk team's computer information systems for Women's basketball, field hockey, and modern Pentathlon.  The systems are used for scoring & ranking of competitors.  He had to take lessons on how to use the computer software and, naturally, how to communicate in Portuguese.

            

All volunteers had to pay their own way to get to Rio and were responsible for finding their own accommodations.  JF travelled to Rio on July 28, beginning in Canada, and transferring twice, in the United States, and Peru.  When he landed in Rio, he had been flying for 24 hours.  He would fly back the same way at the conclusion of the Games.  He stayed in a hostel for the duration of the Olympics.  All volunteers were given a transportation pass that enabled them to ride the public transportation system for free.  This was very welcome for JF because his hostel wasn't near the venue where he would be working.

            

When JF wasn't working, he watched the slalom canoe & kayak competition, the beach volleyball matches, handball games, and track & field games.  He also did plenty of sightseeing, and got people to take pictures of him holding the Nunavut flag.  Quite a few people asked him what country's flag he was holding, but he had to explain that it was the flag of a Canadian territory.

            

JF showed many pictures and several videos while he spoke.  The students asked plenty of questions.  I personally thought the presentation was very informative. 

            

"I ended the presentation with a draw for prizes, including special flavour pop from Brazil, official plastic drinking cups, Brazilian chocolate, official volunteer items, including a Swatch watch, a small carry-all bag, and an official volunteer shirt.

            

"These two activities generated a lot of enthusiasm and interest from both our elementary and high school students!"

*Note: All italicized texts are quotes from JF.  Thank you JF for helping me write this post.

Thank you to Ryan for providing the pictures of the Mini-Olympics.