Late May 2022

Arctic Bay’s annual Fishing Derby went ahead during the Victoria Day weekend.  Unfortunately, I didn’t participate because I needed the long weekend to prepare high school final exams.  And . . . I don’t own fishing gear.  I grew up in a city, so the only “fishing” I ever did were at grocery stores and restaurants.  The one time I attended the derby in 2016, I spent most of it photographing other people fishing and jigging at Ikpikituarjuk Lake.

Participants are allowed to fish in town and in designated lakes out on the land.  Many people left the community to fish at these far away lakes.  Arctic Bay was quieter over the weekend.  I cancelled weekend cadet activities to let the cadets enjoy the derby. 

I photographed several people fishing/jigging out in the bay on Victoria Day (May 23).  Overcast clouds hung low in the sky, but no snow fell.  Several holes were drilled in the ice to let people lower their fishing lines into the water underneath.  I think quite a few fish were caught. 

Once again, I’ll try to attend next year’s fishing derby, as in, travelling to one of the faraway lakes like I did in 2016, and documenting the events on camera. 

The weather was much different on Friday, May 27.  The sun was visible and there were less clouds.  You could actually see the blue sky and the temperature was warmer.  (I should point out that 24-hour daylight begins near the end of April).  There was still ice & snow out in the bay, but the snow in town was melting at a rapid rate.  You could see brown ground and mud; not much enthusiasm for either.

The were many skidoos & qamutiks parked along the shoreline.  Many, if not most of them, were used during Fishing Derby.  They will continue to be used by families until the ice disappears at the end of June.  I usually stop driving my skidoo at the end of May because I don’t want to risk losing it in a large puddle that turns out to be bottomless.

A wooden shack was being built on the shoreline.  I think it will be placed onto a large & wide qamutik when completed and then pulled to a camping spot somewhere out on the land.  Unfortunately, I don’t know who’s building it, but it looks good.

The people of Arctic Bay woke up to a strange sight on May 29: snow falling from the sky.  Sometimes, winter just doesn’t want to go away.  However, the snow immediately melted when it touched the ground.  The snowfall lasted until the afternoon. 

High school final exams occurred on the last week of May.  My Grade 10 & 11 students had final exams whereas my Grade 10 guitar students just had a final performance test.  The students were glad & relieved when they finished their exams.  I’ll be relieved when they’re all graded and recorded for final report cards.    

Polar Bear Hide & Snowy In May

*Warning: Some may find the following images in this post graphic.

The high school Inuit Culture teacher was given a recently harvested polar bear hide to use for her classes.  The hide was still bloody and needed to be skinned.  The teacher informed all classes on May 4 that they were welcome to come to her class and learn the intricacies of polar bear skinning. 

Polar bear fur is used to make heavy winter clothing.  It’s best used during the harsh & cold winter months.  I’ve seen hunters wear polar bear pants & parkas.  I don’t have any, but I’ve thought about getting polar bear pants.

The teacher created a big open space in the middle of her classroom and laid out many flattened cardboard boxes.  The hide arrived in a large clear plastic bag and was placed on the boxes.  I came over in the morning for a few minutes and snapped some pictures. 

I joined the Grade 1 & 2 classes for their lesson on polar bear skinning.  I was able to do this because I was on my prep period.  I stood in the back and took more pictures.  The teacher explained and demonstrated how to properly skin the hide with an ulu.  A few students tried it themselves.

I was also present when the teacher instructed the Grade 8s and took a few pictures of them skinning the hide.  I should mention the classroom did smell like blood and animal, but opened windows helped bring in fresh air.

Speaking of May 4, Happy Star Wars Day everyone!  May the fourth be with you!  And Sith happens!

Mother Nature decided to “gift” the people of Arctic Bay a day of falling snow on May 7.  This time of the year is considered spring, but there is still plenty of ice and snow all around.  They don’t disappear until the end of June.  May 7 resembled a day in March with low white overcast clouds and unlimited snowflakes falling from the sky.  King George V Mountain was obscured.   

I walked onto the breakwater pier after shopping at the Northern Store to take pictures and a short 360-degree video.  The added snow was appreciated by hunters, campers, and people who like to travel by snowmobile.  Anything to cover ice cracks and sharp rocks.

The weather was clear the next day.