Dark Days Ahead

At first, I didn’t want to write anything, but I feel that the last few days - and the next foreseeable future - need to be addressed because they hit very close to home.  I wanted to post something sooner, but I’m glad I reviewed my first draft because it was too intense.  That usually happens when the unthinkable happens. 

The writing was on the wall.  It was obvious and inevitable.  No amount of lying and denial could convince me otherwise.  I still find it shocking that there were many people around the world – including news pundits and world leaders - who believed that it wouldn’t happen.  But here we are, just several days later, and we’re one step closer to World War III.  I mean, the fighting really began in 2014 and has continually escalated since, and finally, what everyone hoped would not happen, has now happened.

Russia has invaded Ukraine, a sovereign country that only wants to live freely and peacefully till the end of time.  The country has its own distinct language, culture, food, music, clothing, and history.  Unfortunately, the dictator in the Kremlin can’t and won’t let Ukraine go due to really warped views of history and what the Eurasian map should look like.  His reasons for invading are completely false and just cheap excuses to grab & annex land.  He is Joseph Stalin, version 2.0. 

What?  Being in control of the largest landmass on Earth isn’t enough?  You really want to go all out and rebuild the Soviet Union?  You do realize that even after the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, Russia still is the largest country on the planet.  You don’t need Ukraine or any of the former Soviet republics.  I guess you have become too gluttonous after being in power for nearly two decades.  Congratulations.  You’ve lived long enough to see yourself become the villain.  And the world and history will judge you as such.

Russia began its military buildup as far back as November 21, 2021.  Thousands of soldiers and equipment were moved to the Russo-Ukrainian border, the Belarus-Ukrainian border, and the illegally annexed island of Crimea.  This buildup continued until the invasion of February 24, 2022.  Sadly, many countries including Russia downplayed these troop movements and assured the world that no invasion was imminent.  Thankfully, NATO and its allies began delivering military aid to Ukraine as a form of deterrent.  But it wasn’t enough.

The first sign of trouble/escalation was when the Russian dictator formally recognized the breakaway rebel provinces of Luhansk and Donbass as independent states on February 21.  And then, three days later, he ordered his army into Ukraine.  The world watched in disbelief as the unthinkable happened.  I’m not going to bother quoting his reasons for invading because they’re false.  He sent his armies into Ukraine to depose the government because they don’t want to take their orders from him.  He wants to install a puppet regime like the one in Belarus because he’s scared of NATO and democracy. 

The first few days of the war have been brutal for Ukraine.  I’m not going to lie; the Ukrainian Armed Forces have a huge challenge on their hands.  Yes, NATO has been training Ukrainian soldiers since 2014 and have given them NATO weapons, but the Russian war machine is really big and has a very long-lasting supply of ammunition & equipment.  They also have powerful long-range weapons.  Even if Ukraine is able to stop the 190,000 strong Russian invasion force, Russia could use the zombie strategy and just keep throwing soldiers until they overrun the country.  The strategy worked in World War II, but I hope that doesn’t happen.

Thankfully, there have already been positive signs on the Ukrainian battlefields.  Resistance is stiff and fierce.  The Ukrainians have not given up like the people of Afghanistan.  The Russians have failed to establish air superiority despite deploying many aircraft and deadly cruise missiles.  Kyiv is holding out and Ukrainian soldiers are making great use of NATO anti-tank & anti-aircraft weapons.  One Ukrainian soldier on Snake Island has become an instant legend for telling a Russian warship where to go after the ship demanded their surrender.  Land is being lost to Russian forces, but Ukrainians are making them pay dearly for every inch.  The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, hasn’t fled the capital, is leading his nation into battle, and requesting more weapons from NATO and the free world.  I hope they respond fast.  I don’t know how long Ukraine can hold out.

When the invasion began, all I could think of was the famous quote by British Foreign Secretary Sir Edward Grey: “The lamps are going out all over Europe, we shall not see them lit again in our life-time.” 

I don’t know how long this war will last, but I hope Ukraine will emerge victorious and push the Russians all the way back to Moscow.  The dictator in the Kremlin started this unnecessary & unjust conflict and it will be Ukraine and the free world to finish it.

Slava Ukraini! 

 

The Sun & PI Week

The sun returned to Arctic Bay on February 6, bringing an end to dark season.  I was at the school grading student class work and preparing lessons when the sun rose above the mountains on the other of the bay.  I took several pictures to mark the occasion.  I know this happens every February, but it never gets old.  Seeing the sun after a two & a half month absence is a big deal in the Arctic.  The sun stayed visible for less than an hour and descended behind the mountains. From now until early May, the length of time the sun will stay up will increase by 20 minutes everyday.  Twenty-four-hour daylight will commence in May.

The temperature outside doesn’t increase immediately when the sun comes back.  It’ll be cold until mid-May.  We sometimes have blizzards in April and light snowfalls in early June.  At least there’s more natural light, making it easier for people to see where they’re going and for hunters to spot their prey.      

Unfortunately, the school didn’t hold a Return of the Sun celebration due to COVID-19 restrictions.  Students & teachers celebrated the sun’s return in their classrooms.

The week of February 14 – 18 was Professional Improvement (PI) Week.  It’s also known as Professional Development Week.  Nunavut students get a week off school while teachers improve/upgrade their teaching qualifications and skills.  Unfortunately, everyone had to stay in their home communities this year. 

I completed two online courses on educational leadership, specifically leading professional learning, and how to be an effective leader.  I’m assuming I’ll be called upon to do such things in the near future, so best to get ready.  The courses were okay; not outstanding.  It’s difficult to find good short online education courses.  Most of them require more than a week to complete.  Regardless, I did learn a lot and acquired a list of resources to use.

My coworkers completed online courses, Connected North workshops, and prepared resources for their classrooms. 

We will now have to spend time completing and submitting substantiation forms to the Nunavut Teachers Association headquarters in Iqaluit.  Thankfully these can be completed online.