Spring Thaw 2024 – Part 1

Friday, March 22 began with excitement for the cadets of 3045 Army Cadet Corps.  There were heading to Whitehorse, Yukon, to participate in a weekend activity called Spring Thaw 2024.  Cadets & staff from other cadet corps in the territories would also be attending.  Additionally, I was granted leave from my civilian employer to attend. 

Whitehorse Cadet Training Centre (CTC), also known as Boyle Barracks, named after the late Colonel John Boyle, was chosen as the site of Spring Thaw. 

Everyone in the Northwest Region was glad Spring Thaw was granted the necessary budget & resources to be organized.  I think the last time territorial cadet corps came together was before the COVID-19 pandemic.  The objectives of Spring Thaw 2024 were: bring cadets & staff across the North together for a weekend activity; have everyone participate in variety of indoor & outdoor activities & sports; and promote the goals of the cadet program.

Cadet corps in the Canadian territories can’t come together often to do activities & trips because of isolation, vast distances apart, the high cost of air travel, and lack of roads.  Yukon & the Northwest Territories have highways that connect to the national road network, but Nunavut does not.  Air travel is the main way to get around, and the airlines charge an “arm & a leg” because they hold monopolies.  A huge chunk of money is set aside by the Department of National Defence to transport northern cadets to activities & events all over Canada and beyond.  This must continue so that northern youth have the same opportunities and experiences as southern youth.

The organizers booked a charter plane to pick us up and fly us to Whitehorse.  My cadets & I arrived at the airport at 11:15am.  The Summit charter plane arrived at noon.  The passengers onboard were instructed to disembark and wait inside the terminal while the plane was refueled.  The passengers were cadets & staff from Naujaat.  Introductions and discussions filled the terminal.  A Summit employee manually checked in the Arctic Bay cadets & officer (me).  Finally, we were given permission to board the plane.  Everyone found their seats and the charter took off into the Arctic sky, bound for Whitehorse.

I was surprised the flight was direct.  I thought we would stop somewhere along the way to pick up more cadets, but that wasn’t the case.  The flight was long, but we made it without delay.  The pilots parked the plane on the tarmac near the airport’s fire department building.  We disembarked onto the tarmac and were escorted towards a parking lot on the other side of the security fence.  Our luggage was delivered several minutes later. 

A large black Chrono Aviation plane landed and parked in the same spot the Summit plane used to be.  Many cadets & officers disembarked and made there way to where we were standing.  They had come from the larger communities like Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet, and Yellowknife, because their airports can accommodate jet planes.  A lot of greetings & introductions were made before everyone was instructed to make their way to the main airport terminal to catch the buses.  Everyone carried/pulled their luggage. 

The buses were coach buses.  I thought it would be school buses.  The organizers spared not expense.  We boarded our assigned buses and were driven to Whitehorse CTC.

We removed our luggage from the bus after it arrived at the camp.  I think the last time I was here was in 2019.  One of the administration officers introduced themselves and instructed my cadets to line up inside the Headquarters (HQ) Building for registration.  The major-in-charge greeted each cadet, checked their name on a list, asked them a few questions, and then assigned them accommodations.  She then assigned me a bedroom in the HQ.  All out-of-town adult staff were assigned bedrooms in HQ.  My cadets collected their belongings and proceeded to their assigned barracks.  Male & female cadets sleep in separate barracks.  All participating cadets went through registration and barracks assignment. 

Cadets set up the mess hall with tables and chairs for dinner.  The major-in-charge held a welcome briefing in the mess hall before the food arrived.  Adult staff & senior cadets would receive their schedules and assignments for the weekend after dinner.  Dinner was catered by Domino’s Pizza.  There were a lot of toppings to choose along with a variety of drinks, including pop and Gatorade.  I think everyone enjoyed dinner because there were a lot of empty pizza boxes when it was over.

Cadets enjoyed free time until it was time for lights out.  While that was happening, officers & civilian staff had a meeting with the major.  A round robin of various sports & activities had been organized and cadets would be divided into groups after breakfast the following morning.  We were each assigned a station and would run it for the duration of the weekend.  Senior cadets would assist us.  (More on this in the next post).  The major told us where we would find our supplies.  Despite being a little nervous, I was confident I would run my station without issue.    

                                                                To Be Continued . . . 

Community Nutritious Meal

Inuujaq School held a community nutritious meal/breakfast on the morning of March 21.  The school was promoting healthy living & eating.  Unfortunately, the cost of living is high in Nunavut and healthy food prices are marked up at grocery stores.  It’s also like that down south, but it’s much more noticeable up here due to the remoteness of Nunavut communities.  Although, I find that argument hard to believe considering companies that make junk food can sell their products at a lower price.  Well, relatively low; a can of pop/soda in Arctic Bay costs around $2.75.  The price increases to $6 or more when the sealift supply runs out in the spring.

The food was ordered through the Taqqut Co-op store.  The menu consisted of various fruits, vegetables, cheese, juice boxes, tea, and coffee.  Staff came to school at 7:30am to prepare the food and set up the gym.  We also had the assistance of a visiting superintendent.  The fruits & vegetable were washed & dried before being cut.  The food was divided and brought to the gym on trays.  I made sure the gym was ready.  Foldout chairs lined the walls, and long tables & a sound system were set at the front. 

The food trays were placed on the tables.  Staff began dividing the food when paper plates & gloves arrived.  It’s better to prepare plates ahead of time because the audience doesn’t have to wait.  Juice boxes, tea, and coffee were setup on a separate table.  Everything was mostly ready when the first school bell rang, but several staff members stayed in the gym to finish preparing plates.

The assembly began at 9:30am with a brief welcome speech from the acting principal.  An Elder then blessed the food.  Staff distributed plates & juice boxes to students, parents, guardians, and Elders.  The prepared food was delicious.  The noise level in the gym dropped several decibels because everyone was eating.  I waited until everyone was served before taking a plate.

The community meal was done at 10:15am.  School Administration thanked staff for preparing everything, and students & everyone who attended.  Everyone was encouraged to make healthy food choices and to cut down the number of sweets they consume.  Teachers were instructed to lead their students back to class.  High school students stayed behind to help with the cleanup of the gym.  Leftover food was offered to parents & guardians to take home.

 

AWG 2024 Celebration

The 2024 Arctic Winter Games (AWG) were held March 10 – 16, 2024 in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough in Alaska, USA.  The area is also known as the Mat-Su Borough or Mat-Su Valley.  Seventeen athletes & two coaches from Arctic Bay attended the Games as part of Team Nunavut.  They competed in a variety of sports & events, and some won medals.  I wish I was there to watch and cheer them on.

Eight teams competed in this year’s games: Alaska, Yukon, Northwest Territories, Alberta North, Nunavut, Nunavik-Quebec, Kalaallit Nunaat (Greenland), and Sapmi.  Russia’s Yamal region was suspended from participating due to Russia’s war with Ukraine.  The suspension extends to the 2026 Games.  Participating teams are organized by regions rather than countries like in the Olympics.

Everybody in Arctic Bay followed the Games, eager to learn the latest news and progress of our athletes.  Students & staff watched live coverage of several events in their classrooms.  Winners were announced during morning announcements.  I’m certain many students were inspired to become AWG athletes.

When the AWG finished on March 16, the topics of how to welcome back & celebrate the athletes’ achievements came to mind.  The Hamlet of Arctic Bay informed the community they were organizing a ceremony at the community hall on March 19.  They also added that the athletes would return on March 18 & 19.  This news gave the students & staff of Inuujaq School an idea.

Classes made “Welcome Back!” and “Congratulations!” posters.  On the afternoon of March 18, everyone assembled outside the school near the main road, holding their posters, and waiting for the arrival of the athletes.  A few students & teachers held Inuit drums.  The convoy of vehicles came into view.  The lead vehicle was a firetruck.  The firetruck’s siren began to sound as the convoy neared us.  The vehicles behind it followed suit by honking their horns.  The crowd clapped, cheered, and waved at the passing vehicles.  Inuit drums were played.  The athletes & drivers waved back.  Everyone returned to their classes after the convoy passed.

The same procession was repeated on the afternoon of March 19.  The firetruck led the convoy blaring its siren and the vehicles behind it honked their horns.  Everyone clapped, cheered, and waved again. 

I arrived at the community hall 5:30pm and found a seat.  The hall was decorated with posters and Nunavut flags.  A large poster with the names of the athletes & coach was pasted to the backstage wall.  I came dressed in my military dress uniform because I wanted to get a few photos with the athletes who were & are army cadets.  I also asked a few current cadets to also wear their dress uniforms.

The ceremony began at 5:45pm with a welcome speech from the Recreation Coordinator.  Hamlet Council sat on stage.  The team was introduced and walked into the hall to loud applause and cheers.  This was followed by more speeches from Hamlet council members, the mayor, and members of the public.  The athletes & coaches were called up individually to receive a congratulatory certificate from the mayor.  The coaches were given extra thanks for leading the team.

The presentations were followed by two performances.  The first performance was a square dance done by kids.  The second performance was a song duet with a vocalist & guitarist.  The two sang a few classic songs they recorded many years ago when they were in a band.

The ceremony concluded with the team posing for a group photograph.  Many people took pictures with their phones & cameras.  When everyone was dismissed to the reception tables, I walked up to the cadet athletes and asked if they’d be willing to take a group photo for the corps.  They said yes.  I personally congratulated them for winning medals at the AWG after the photos were taken.                          

The after-ceremony reception consisted of various snacks and beverages.  I stayed for a little bit before heading home.

Once again, congratulations to Team Nunavut & the Arctic Bay contingent for representing the region at the 2024 Arctic Winter Games!  The next Arctic Winter Games will be in Whitehorse in 2026.  Hopefully I’ll find a way to attend.

 

Qapik Attagutsiak (1920 – 2023)

Out of respect for the family, I delayed the writing & publishing of this post until now.  News outlets have already reported on this sad event in Inuit history, but I would still like to publicly add my name to the list of condolences to the family and reflect on meeting this incredible individual. 

In mid-December 2023, surrounded by family in Ottawa, Canada, Inuit Elder Qapik Attagutsiak passed away peacefully at the age of 103.  She leaves behind an enduring legacy of working tirelessly to better the lives of Inuit and to promote Inuit history and culture.

Qapik was born in June 1920 near Chesterfield Inlet.  Her father was a hunter & her mother was a seamstress.  She became a midwife and seamstress at the age of 18.  During World War II, she and many Inuit participated in the war effort by collecting animal bones and carcasses that were shipped down south to be “processed into ammunition, glue for aircraft, [and] fertilizer.”  This drive was encouraged by Canada’s National Resources Mobilization Act.  It was around this time she met her husband, and they raised a family of 14 children.

She settled in Arctic Bay in her senior years, preferring to spend most of her time in her qammaq (canvas hut), built by her son.  The hut is heated by a qulliq (oil lamp).  The place served as a sewing place & meeting room.  She greeted & entertained many guests & visitors, such as, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in 2019.  The hut became a local attraction because she was the only Elder in the community living in one.    

I met and spoke with Qapik several times since moving to Arctic Bay in 2013.  I did visit her in her qammaq in January 2015.  The hut appears small on the outside but is quite spacious on the inside.  Qapik had everything she needed to feel comfortable.  Her daughter & I brought her freshly chiseled ice from a frozen lake near the community’s water pumping station.  You can read my blog post about it here.  We enjoyed tea, Bannock, and Inuit ice cream made from caribou fat.  She also shared several memorable moments of her life and talked about the changes she’s experienced.

Qapik came to Inuujaq School on many occasions to speak to students, staff, and participate in school events.  She was always given the most comfortable chair the school had to sit on.  She also spoke at the 2021 Remembrance Day Ceremony I organized for the community. 

Qapik always wore traditional Inuit clothing when she was in public.  She also modeled the clothing she made earning high praise for her designs and sewing skills.  She received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012.  Parks Canada and the Canadian Armed Forces recognized & honoured Qapik for her wartime efforts in a special ceremony at the Canadian Museum of History in January 2020.  She was named one of Parks Canada’s Hometown Heroes.      

When I talk about Qapik and her accomplishments when I’m in southern Canada, the one thing that surprises many people is her longevity.  I assume this is because they’ve never lived in the high Arctic and most likely were told it’s near impossible to live long near the top of the Earth.  (I assume the same is said for living near or at the bottom of the Earth).  One of the many failures of the education system(s) out there that want us to believe that humans can only live between the Arctic Circle and the Tropic of Capricorn.

Humans are adaptable creatures and have proven over millennia they can survive pretty much anywhere on the planet as long as they’re prepared and have the will to stay.  Qapik and the Inuit are great examples.  They prove it’s possible for humans to survive & thrive above the tree line and live very long lives.  The absence of trees, cold winters, and long periods of darkness is not game over.  Moving to Arctic Bay and meeting Qapik taught me that quickly. 

Qapik’s funeral was held in Arctic Bay just after Christmas (in 2023) and was attended by many.  Unfortunately, I couldn’t attend, but I did send my condolences to the surviving family.  Her life story was published by various Canadian news outlets, such as CBC News, APTN News, and Nunatsiaq News.

Rest In Peace, Qapik.  You will be greatly missed.   

-

Below are links to several YouTube videos about Qapik Attagutsiak:

APTN News: Qapik Attagutsiak – 100^th Birthday

APTNNews: January 27, 2020. Qapik Attagutsiak. 3:24 – 5:52.

BIM:Elder Qapik Attagutsiak

ITK:Pamiujaq – Qaapik Attagutsiak

 

A Flurry Of Activity

Quite a few interesting things happened in late February and early March.

The first was my appointment to Acting Vice-Principal by the superintendent.  Circumstances called for a shuffling of administrative staff and the superintendent asked me if I was willing to take on the vice-principal’s job.  I accepted the offer after much thought.  I just hoped the rest of the staff would be onboard.  The current vice-principal is now the Acting Principal.

My acting position is until the end of June, and I still must teach my assigned high school classes.  I’ll be moving between my classroom & the main office.  I think I’m prepared for this new opportunity & experience, considering I’ve been teaching at Inuujaq School since 2013.  If things go well and I enjoy working in administration, I may apply for the position of Vice-Principal next school year.  I now work 3 jobs: teacher, acting vice-principal, and commanding officer of an army cadet corps. 

“Pink Shirt Day [PSD] is an annual event against bullying held in Canada and New Zealand.  Participants wear pink shirts and attend or host informative events to raise awareness about bullying, particularly in schools.  Pink Shirt Day was started in 2007 in Canada, where it is held on the last Wednesday of February[.]”

Unfortunately, Inuujaq School is not immune to bullying.  Bullying doesn’t discriminate; it happens everywhere, and it needs to be eradicated.  In the week leading up to PSD, teachers did anti-bullying activities & lessons.  PSD was observed on February 28 this year.  Students & staff were encouraged to wear pink shirts and practice positive behaviours.  I wore a pink tie.  The day culminated in a school photo in the gym.  I was impressed we were able to photograph the entire student body.  The photo shoot reminded me of A Great Day Harlem.  Unfortunately, I can’t post the photo on this blog because I don’t have permission from parents & guardians.  Sorry.

Two instructors from the Canadian Red Cross came to Arctic Bay to run a Nipivut Workshop for high school students on March 6^th.  Nipivut means “our voices” in Inuktitut.  The purpose of the workshop was to assist students in:

§  Finding their inner voice and self-expression

§  Celebrating heritage and culture through art

§  Supporting physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental wellbeing

§  Appreciate and action the importance of community leadership

The workshop was held in my classroom and lasted the entire day.  Snacks were provided by the Canadian Red Cross.  I wanted to participate but my recent appointment to Acting Vice-Principal kept me in the main office.  I did “pop my head in” to check how things were going and from what I observed, the students learned a lot. 

Several Canadian military personnel and one soldier from the US Army came to town in early March, to complete an Arctic Survival course that is jointly run with the local Canadian Rangers.  The Rangers would instruct the military soldiers how to operate skidoos, pack & pull qamutiks (sleds), and how to survive in Canada’s harsh Arctic climate.  They would also do an Arctic patrol.

The officer in charge contacted the school ahead of time, asking about preparing breakfast for students & staff.  We accepted the offer.  The only catch was that I had to let them inside the school at 6am.  The day was set for March 8.

True to my word, I arrived at school just before 6am and waited for the military & Rangers to arrive.  They drove up to the school in their skidoos.  I let them inside and they immediately went to work in the Home Ec Room kitchen.  The menu was pancakes, muffins, scrambled eggs, and bacon.  The school provided juice boxes.  The military & Rangers worked efficiently for the next two & half hours and the food was ready to be distributed when the first school bell of the day rang. 

Classes were called down to the Home Ec room to receive their meals.  The students & staff thanked the military & Rangers and then ate their breakfast in their respective classes.  I followed the military rule and waited until entire student body got their breakfast before I got my plate.  Officers eat last.  I too thanked the military & Rangers for preparing breakfast and invited them to return the following year to do it again.  They let us keep the unopened bottles of maple syrup and bags of bacon.  Turns out they ordered too much.