Stage 2 Marksmanship Competition

I held the Stage 2 Marksmanship Competition on the evening of February 22.  Each team member shot two targets prone and one target standing.  I mailed the targets down to Winnipeg to be scored.  The marksmanship team & I hope their scores are high enough to advance to the Stage 3 regional competition in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Wednesdays are usually regular training nights, but I had to hold Stage 2 that night.  Cadets who weren’t on the team could stay to watch, cheer, and help with cleanup.  The cadets turned the gym into an air rifle shooting range using tables, chairs, backboards, mats, spotting scopes, pellets, competition paper targets, and of course, air rifles.

The marksmanship team practiced for thirty minutes, zeroing their rifles, regulating their breathing, and improving their concentration.  Once they were satisfied, I gave them a five-minute break.  The competition began thereafter.

The cadets shot prone first.  They had thirty minutes to shoot 20 targets.  They recovered their targets at the end of the relay and handed them to me.  I placed them in an envelope and instructed the cadets to get out a few tables for the standing relay.  It took a few minutes to set everything up.

The team had 15 minutes to shoot 10 targets.  I advised them to take their time because shooting while standing is a lot more challenging than shooting prone.  The obvious reason being you can’t rest your rifle on a flat surface.  The cadets shot all their targets before the timer reached zero.  Once again, I collected their targets and placed them inside a large envelope.

The cadets & I spent the next 15 minutes putting everything away and cleaning the gym.  I formed up the team for a quick debriefing.  I congratulated them for shooting their targets and that I would be mailing them to Winnipeg as soon as possible.  I dismissed the cadets for the remainder of the night.

We’re now playing the waiting game.  I hope the team gets to compete at Stage 3.

 

BHM, PD, & PNP

February is Black History Month (BHM) in Canada and the United States.  BHM is also observed in Ireland and the United Kingdom, but in October.  Its origins can be traced back to 1926 in the USA, but it wasn’t until 1970 when Kent State University held the first celebration from January 2 to February 28.

Staff and students of Inuujaq School are celebrating BHM by learning about famous Black inventors, athletes, politicians, civil rights activists, actors, authors, poets, musicians, scientists, and many more.  They’re also learning about important & profound moments in Canadian & American Black History, past and current.  I incorporated a few of these into my social studies lessons, one of which being my students & I watched the I Have A Dream speech by Martin Luther King Jr.  Visual displays have been put up in the main hallway and several classroom doors have been decorated with famous quotes.  These displays will remain until the end of the month.

The staff members from Jamaica prepared Jamaican food for the entire school to try.  It was delicious.

The second week of February was Professional Development (PD) Week for staff.  Students got a week off school while teachers did PD from February 13 to the 17.  Inuit teachers flew down to Iqaluit to participate in an Inuit Educators Conference.  Inuit educators from other communities in the Qikiqtani region were attendance.  The conference was hosted by Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated (NTI).  Non-Inuit teachers remained at school.  I did online courses on classroom management and learning strategies.  The Inuit staff I spoke to said they really enjoyed the conference in Iqaluit.

3045 Army Cadet Corps held a Parents Night Parade (PNP) in the middle of PD Week on February 15.  The cadets achieved many things since the last PNP in December (2022) so it was the perfect time to publicly recognize them for their latest achievements.  I recruited a local teacher to act as the Guest Reviewing Officer (GRO).

The cadets & I spent 45 minutes turning the school gym into a proper parade square.  This required setting up tables, chairs, flags, and a reception area.  One wall was covered with competition targets because we recently held a marksmanship competition.  (More on that coming up).

The parade began at 6:30pm.  The GRO inspected the cadets on parade while I welcomed everyone to the first PNP of 2023.  The cadets looked sharp in their green dress uniforms.  The cadets then did a March Past.  The GRO gave a short speech to the cadets for marching well and thanking the audience for supporting their local cadet corps.

The parade continued with awards.  I started with marksmanship badges.  There’re four levels, conveniently named Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, and Level 4.  One is the lowest and four is the highest.  One cadet achieved Level 1.  Three cadets achieved Level 2.  Five cadets achieved Level 3.  One cadet achieved Level 4.

Next were physical fitness badges.  Two cadets achieved Bronze, one achieved Silver, and one achieved Excellence.  Unfortunately, no cadets attained Gold level fitness.  There’s always next time.

Marksmanship Team

I held a marksmanship competition last month to select cadets for this year’s marksmanship team.  There were only five spots available.  Participation was voluntary.  Cadets wanting to be on the team had to shoot two prone targets and one standing target.  The highest possible score was 300.  I spent a day scoring the targets, organizing them, and selecting the top five shooters.  I called them by name and had them come to the front to be publicly recognized for making the team.  Their first competition as a team will be at the end of this month.

The last part was promotions.  The cadet program promotes & teaches leadership skills, and the rank structure, mirrored from the Canadian military, emphasizes this.  As cadets “advance in the ranks,” they take on more leadership duties and tasks.  Starting from the beginning, six cadets were promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal.  Three cadets were promoted to the rank of Corporal.  One cadet advanced to the senior rank of Sergeant, and another cadet advanced further to the rank of Warrant Officer.

The cadets did an Advance In Review Order and a General Salute.  The GRO & I exited the gym, signaling the end of the parade.  The cadets were dismissed, but reassembled at the back of the gym for a group photograph.  I then let them enjoy the reception.  Reception lasted for 30 minutes and then I helped the cadets put everything away.  The cadets formed up one last time for a quick debrief.  I congratulated them for making it to the end of the parade and for receiving awards.  I made a few announcements and then ordered the cadet parade commander to dismiss the cadets for the night.

 

Return Of The Sun (2023)

The sun returned to Arctic Bay on February 5, 2023.  The moment was a sight to behold, even though it happens every year.  A very tiny portion of the sun rose above the mountains just south of the community and showered it with bright rays of light.  The temperature was still cold but that didn’t matter.  Dark season was officially over.  The sun only stayed up for around twenty minutes, I think, and then descended behind the mountains.  From now on, the sun will be visible for an additional 20 minutes every passing day until it’ll be 24-hour daylight in May. 

Inuujaq School held its annual Return of the Sun celebration on February 7.  Everyone assembled in the gym and the assembly began at 2:20pm.

The principal did a brief welcome address and invited the Grade 4 teacher to light the ceremonial qulliq lamp to signal the start of the celebration.  When the lamp was lit, the Grade 2 class performed a few Inuit songs and played the Inuit drum.  The kindergarten class followed with their own performance of a few Inuit songs.

The principal invited the sun to come to the front of the gym.  He added the sun had come from Pond Inlet to pay everyone a visit.  I should probably explain before I go any further. 

The people in Pond Inlet also celebrate the return of the sun and the end of dark season.  Someone there designed & made an Inuit themed sun costume, complete with polar bear pants, colourful parka, and a large bright sun mask.  Inuujaq School’s Events Committee was made aware of the costume when a local Parks Canada employee attended a meeting, expressing interest in participating in the assembly.  He wanted to give out Parks Canada swag, but also mentioned he could get us the sun costume, thanks to his connections in Pond Inlet.  We could borrow the costume for the assembly, but he was obligated to return it right away.

A high school student volunteered to wear the costume.  Everyone was surprised to see the sun enter the gym.  The sun stood in front of everyone while the principal invited classes to take group photos.  Many children wondered who was behind the mask.  School staff were the last group to have their picture taken with the sun.

The Parks Canada employee continued the ceremony by drawing one name from each class to receive a small prize.  The employee and the sun left the gym at the end of the draw.  They were both applauded.

The principal thanked everyone for attending the assembly and instructed classes to calmly file out of the gym and return to their classrooms.  I went to check on the high school student who played the sun.  He took off the costume inside the gym equipment room.  I asked him how it felt to wear the costume and he replied it was hot inside.  This answer reminded me of all the Halloween masks I’ve worn in the past. 

I should point out that this is the first time I’ve seen an Inuit sun costume being used at a Return of the Sun celebration at Inuujaq School since I arrived in the community in 2013.  Maybe it’ll inspire the culture classes to make one for next year.

Now that the sun is here, cases of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) should decrease substantially.  I won’t need to take so many vitamin D pills every morning.  And then, in a few weeks, everyone in town will get annoyed with the sun because the constant sunlight will make it difficult to fall asleep.  Bring out the blackout curtains and tinfoil! 

 

10 Years In Arctic Bay

Wow.  Has it really been that long?  Ten years.  Time really does fly fast.  My original plan was to live & teach in Arctic Bay for only a few years, but things changed.  Former coworkers joked that I had a 10-year plan in the community and I always shrugged it off, saying that was never the case.  Well, I guess they were right . . . in a way.

I still remember when I first arrived in Canada’s third most northern permanent community at the end of January 2013.  I had just finished my one-year term contract teaching music & English at Inuksuk High School in Iqaluit.  Not wanting to return to Ontario, I searched for teaching positions in other Nunavut communities and I applied for a social studies position at Inuujaq School.  The interview was a success and I was offered the job.  I accepted.

I flew to the top of Baffin Island in the middle of dark season.  The First Air turboprop plane banked in the pitch-black darkness and I caught a glimpse of a long rectangle of lights in the distance.  It was the runway.  The plane landed safely and I caught a taxi ride into town.  I was taken to the principal’s residence and he handed me the key to my residence.  The taxi driver dropped me off with my suitcases & carry-on bags.  The rest of my stuff would arrive at a later date.  The next phase of my teaching career had begun.

It took some time to settle in and make a name for myself at school and in the community.  There were good days, bad days, and mediocre days.  I got involved with the local army cadet corps, attended many local events, began to intensely learn to understand Inuktitut, immerse myself in Inuit culture, travel out on the land, and deal with the high cost of living.  Unfortunately, I’m still not fluent in Inuktitut, but I’ve gotten better at understanding what is being said.  I still have to respond in English most of the time, but I throw in an Inuktitut word here and there.  This improved understanding has led to a severe decrease in student gossip in my classroom.  If I plan to stay much longer, I have until the year 2040 to become fluent in Inuktitut because that’s the deadline the Nunavut Government has set for all teachers.

I have taught many students and worked with many teachers, local & southern.  (Southern means non-Inuit teachers from out of town).  I see the high turnaround of southern teachers you read about in the newspapers.  I’m now the most senior southerner on staff since 2021.  I never thought I’d reach that position.  I assist new hires with going about teaching students and how things work at the school.

People ask me how much longer I intend to stay in Arctic Bay and to be honest, I haven’t decided.  The closer I got to the 10-year mark, the more I thought it would be the end.  But now that it’s here, I don’t want to leave.  I like the community and feel I haven’t done enough.  Many students have already come through my classroom, but there are still many more.  I now joke that I may stay here until I retire.  That would be something.  The strange thing is, thinking about it doesn’t scare me.

Staff who wish to resign/retire are required to submit their intent to resign/retire at least “60 calendar days before the last day of the Academic Year.”  When that day arrives, I don’t have the urge to do that, or look for a teaching job in another community.  Education leave is starting to look appealing, but I don’t think I’ll go for it right away. 

For those of you who have been reading this blog since Day 1, thank you for following and support!  For those of you joining for the first time, feel free to catch up on 10 years of Arctic Bay history by reading my previous blog posts, starting from 2013.  Since I’ve documented so much, I wonder if Nunavut Archives and/or Library and Archives Canada will request to preserve my written posts, pictures, and videos I’ve taken in and around the community?  That would be quite an honour!

As long as Google keeps Blogger alive on the internet, I’ll keep writing about my time living & teaching in Arctic Bay.  The community is still growing and changing and there’s always something interesting to write about.

 

Rifles & Politicians

A new year meant the start of a new semester.  I would be teaching the same classes except for one.  High school percussion was replaced with high school guitar.  In case you forgot, those same classes are: high school social studies (10 – 12) and middle school guitar (7 – 9). 

On the morning of January 21, the army cadets of 3045 corps received a lesson on the use of Anschutz biathlon rifles and an electronic target practice system.  A civilian volunteer brought the necessary equipment to set up a shooting lane.  The rifle looked new and expensive.  He said the price can reach up to $6,000 per rifle and it’s the kind that’s used in the Canada Games and Olympics.  He secured funding for 4 rifles.

The electronic target system includes: a plastic panel consisting of five small targets, tripod, laser pointer attachment for the rifle, laptop with the required software, and cables.  The targets stood 5 metres away from the shooter, but this can be extended to 10 metres, provided you have the length of cable.  (The cable connects the targets to the laptop). 

The civilian volunteer biathlon coach (CVBC) explained how to properly handle the rifle, aim the laser pointer, and how the software records & tracks your progress.  The cadets & I listened intently.  We took turns shooting the rifle.  No ammunition is inserted when using the electronic target system.  (The rifle shoots .22LR bullets).  You still do the proper loading & reloading steps but when you press the trigger, the software detects where you’re pointing the laser and tells you if you “hit” the targets.

The CVBC also introduced two new wooden stands he made for the cadets to use when shooting prone.  They’re made of wood and contain four steps.  Cadets pick a step to rest their air rifle.  The cadets practice with the stands several times and then shoot without them.  They slowly strengthen their muscles and aiming skills.

Two Canadian politicians visited Inuujaq School on January 23.  The school hosted Nunavut’s Minister of Environment Economic Development and Transportation and Minister of Justice David Akeeagok, and Canada’s Member of Parliament for Nunavut Lori Idlout.  I should also add that Akeeagok represents the constituency of Quttiktuq in the Nunavut Legislature.  Arctic Bay is part of that constituency.

The politicians spoke to the high school students about their roles in Nunavut and Canada, how they represent Nunavut’s interests, and how students can become involved in politics.  They encouraged the students to finish high school, and continue their education at Arctic College and/or university.  They finished their presentation by answering questions from students & teachers.

 

Celebrating The Arrival Of 2023

Source: Adobe Stock Photo.

I spent Christmas down south with family & friends.  They were glad to see me after a six-month absence.  The only noticeable difference was the longer periods of sunlight.  Aside from that, the only other things I did were rest & relax. 

I bought school supplies and mailed them to my Arctic Bay residence before returning to Nunavut.  I didn’t want to be stuck with a large box if I got stranded somewhere.  Due to circumstances outside my control, I had to fly to Iqaluit on December 30, overnight, and then continue to Arctic Bay the following day.  I would celebrate New Years Eve up North.  I did it before in 2020, but this time, I would document the celebrations on camera.

My flights to Arctic Bay went surprisingly well.  Canadian North (formerly First Air) has developed an unpleasant reputation in the last few years for delaying and cancelling many flights due to weather, crew, and/or mechanical issues.  Thankfully, none of that happened.  I quickly unpacked and got my place ready for the new year.  I also made sure my camera battery was fully charged.

I’ve been told numerous times how the people of Arctic Bay celebrate the new year.  Fireworks are shot into the sky and a large vehicle parade snakes its way through the community.  I finally had the opportunity to document these events on camera.  I would take photographs and possibly video clips from the top of a hill overlooking the town.  King George V Mountain is too tall & far away. 

The temperature in Arctic Bay at the end of December is really cold.  I dressed as if I was going on a land expedition, putting on many layers of clothing.  I assumed I would be spending at least an hour sitting still and taking photographs, so I needed to be dressed appropriately.  I also made sure to bring a machete in case I needed to swing it at a hungry polar bear. 

I fired up my new skidoo and drove towards the Co-op store in the centre of town.  Midnight was only minutes away.  I drove behind the Co-op and continued up a hill, avoiding large rocks and trying to keep the machine on snow.  Unfortunately, there were too many exposed rocks halfway up and I was forced to park my skidoo and walk the rest of the way.  I looked at my watch and saw that it was midnight.  I was late.  “Happy New Year,” I said to myself.

People leaving the community hall.

I used a flashlight to guide me to a good spot on top of the hill.  I sat on the snow and watched many people exiting the community centre and cars honking their horns.  There must have been games happening prior to the final countdown.  Fireworks began shooting into the night sky in all parts of town and out on the ice.  I took out my camera and began taking pictures.

Vehicles begin making their way to Uluksan Point.

Vehicles drive to Uluksan Point.

Cars, trucks, skidoos, and ATVs drove out onto the ice and proceeded to Uluksan Point, the southwest tip of the bay.  This act alone looked like a parade.  I quickly deduced that the point would be the starting point of the parade.  The people who didn’t have vehicles stayed at the community hall, ventured out onto the ice, or walked home. 

I looked around to make sure there was no polar bear stalking me.  I doubted one would travel this far up a hill, but you never know.  Thankfully, I was alone.

Vehicle parade begins.

The vehicle parade began after some time.  It was a long line of bright lights in a sea of darkness.  Some late vehicles drove up to join the procession.  The lead vehicle drove in an “S” pattern in the middle of the frozen bay and the vehicles behind it did the same.  Cars, trucks, skidoos, and ATVs all working together.  I tried to film the parade as it got closer to town, but my camera indicated that my battery was too low on power.  I was restricted to taking photographs.  That’s the problem with extreme cold: it drains your battery.

Turns out the lead vehicle was a skidoo; so were many of the immediate followers.  Four-wheeled vehicles were at the back of the parade.  The skidoos drove into town and proceeded down the main street along the shoreline. 

Skidoo parade.

Thirty cars & trucks parked in a line near the shoreline with their high beams on.  I assumed they did this for pictures.  I saw a few people walking around the vehicles, but I was too far away to see what they were doing.  I continued taking pictures, trying to get the “perfect shot” of the line.  Suddenly, someone began shooting fireworks and I tried several times to get a shot of a firework launching into the sky.  I think it was on the fifth attempt I managed to time it just right and capture the launch of a purple firework.  I quickly reviewed the photo and was stunned.  I think I just took a really good shot, I thought.  I wouldn’t know for sure until I got home.

The cars & trucks eventually drove off the ice and continued through town, following the same route as the skidoos.  I clearly heard the skidoo engines revving and the cars & trucks honking their horns.  A few more fireworks were launched into the sky.

I started walking back to my skidoo when the vehicle parade finished.  The time was 1:15am.  I turned my skidoo around and slowly drove down the hill towards the Co-op.  I moved onto a main street and drove home.  I removed my heavy Canada Goose outer clothing and proceeded to review the pictures I took on my computer.

The Perfect Shot.

Sure enough, the picture I took of the firework behind the line of vehicles looked really good.  It looked perfect: everything & everyone were in the rights spots.  I posted it on social media and it received praise from my friends.  They also shared it.  I took a chance and submitted my photo to Nunatsiaq News, hoping they would feature it on their website.  They did!  I also included a description for them to use in the caption.  Thank you, Nunatsiaq for featuring my photograph!    

All in all, the whole experience was worthwhile and a great way to start the new year.  If I’m in Arctic Bay for next New Years, I think I’ll participate in the vehicle parade.

Happy New Year everyone!  Hopefully 2023 will be better than 2022!