Before The Summer Break

The last day of school for students was June 5.  Students assisted teachers in cleaning the classrooms and throwing out work they no longer wanted.  Final report cards were handed out in the afternoon.  A few minutes before the last school bell rang, the principal came over the PA system and wished students a safe & happy summer.  The bell rang and students celebrated the end of school.  When I was growing up, Alice Cooper’s School’s Out would play in my mind.  When I was in high school, it was Mel Gibson shouting “Freedom!” in Braveheart. 

The last day of school for staff was June 6 (next day).  There was a bunch of housekeeping duties we had to complete before we were dismissed for summer break.  Some of them included making sure the classrooms were clean, the desks & chairs were piled into one area of each classroom, and posters removed from walls.  Speaking of posters & walls, this was the same for the main hallway.  Any borrowed electronics needed to be returned to the main office.  

A year-end staff get together was held in the afternoon.  Snacks were served.  It was a nice way for staff to unwind after working hard for 10 months.  Staff talked about their summer plans, and we said goodbye to teachers who wouldn’t be returning in August.

Many southern teachers left on June 7, but I chose to delay my departure until Friday.  I needed an extra two days to relax at home, clean, and pack. 

I flew down south on June 9.  The plane took off at noon.  I took several photos of the community as the plane ascended into the sky.  There was still snow & ice in the bay, but it was beginning to melt.  The was also snow on mountain tops.

Canadian North, unfortunately, recently changed its plane routes, so the plane first landed in Resolute Bay.  (The community is further north than Arctic Bay).  We picked up more passengers and then flew down to Iqaluit.  Thankfully, the flight to Ottawa was in the evening, but I arrived in the nation’s capital in the very late evening.  At least I didn’t have to overnight in Iqaluit.

As always, I’ll be taking a break from my blogging duties for the duration of the summer.  See you all in August!

     

HS Graduation (2023)

June 2.  The day had finally arrived for two excited & relieved senior high school students.  They were graduating high school and moving on to the next chapter of their lives.

As mentioned before, the community hall was decorated days in advance.  Food preparation was much easier for the Graduation Committee in that they didn’t have to prepare any.  The local hotel catered this year!  I think this was the first time since I’ve been here where the graduation dinner was catered.  The hotel’s cook & kitchen staff prepared and transported everything.  We just had to set up tables.  The dinner began at 6:00pm.

Everyone attended in their best attire.  The local RCMP & our MLA David Akeeagok was in attendance.  The food was blessed by an Elder and the grads were invited to be the first to receive their food.  Everyone followed thereafter.  The dinner lasted an hour.  Everyone assisted in the clean up and rearranging the hall for the graduation ceremony.

The ceremony began at 8pm with the local RCMP leading the two graduates to the main stage.  Everyone applauded as the graduates took their seats on stage.  An Elder led everyone in a short prayer and then another lit a ceremonial qulliq.

The principal welcomed everyone to the ceremony and congratulated the two graduates for completing their high school education.  He admitted the journey must have been difficult at times but assured them that it was all worth it.  Now with high school behind them, the grads were ready to explore all the possibilities the world has to offer.  He encouraged them to try new things, explore the world, and if possible, consider becoming a teacher.  He then presented the grads their diplomas. 

The ceremony moved onto awards.  The awards were: Hamlet of Arctic Bay (HAB), Volunteer Achievement, Athletic Achievement, Inuktitut Language, and the Governor General’s Award (GGA).  The HAB & GGA awards are similar in that they’re given to the top academically performing student.  The only difference is the GGA also comes with a large ceremonial coin. 

MLA David Akeeagok was invited to the podium to say a few words to the graduates in the audience.  Similar to the principal’s address, he congratulated the students for finishing high school, wished them all the best, and encouraged them to inspire others to finish high school.

The graduates were invited to address the audience.  It’s not mandatory, but the offer is there.  One graduate accepted the invitation and did a short thank you speech.

Parents/Guardians were also invited to address the graduates & audience.  A few came forward and offered their own congratulations. 

The vice-principal did the closing remarks, thanking everyone for attending and supporting the graduates.  The graduates were led off the stage by the RCMP while music played in the background.  The crowd applauded the graduates one last time. 

The graduates had their pictures taken with the graduation cake.  The cake was then cut and distributed to the people in attendance.  Of course, the grads received the first pieces.  The grads then posed for more photographs with the MLA, RCMP, teachers, family, and friends.  The celebrations lasted well into the night.

 

Recognition & Celebration

June 1 was a day of recognition & celebration at Inuujaq School.  The perfect way to start the month. 

The day began with staff arriving in the early morning to prepare food in the Home Ec Room and setup the gym for the first assembly.  Staff cut & prepared large assortments of fruits, vegetables, meats, and hardboiled eggs, and then carried them to the gym.  I helped in the gym, setting up tables, plates, sound system, chairs, and garbage cans.  Several teachers taped large posters on the gym walls.  The food was divided amongst the paper plates.  This would make distribution easier & faster.  Everything was ready to go before the ringing of the first bell.

The morning assembly was dedicated to recognizing & celebrating the 43-year educational career of Morty, highlighting her many achievements, and to wish her a happy retirement.

The assembly began at 10:00am.  Parents, guardians, and community members were invited to attend.  The principal welcomed everyone, and the high school Inuktitut teacher led everyone in a short prayer.  Morty was given a comfortable red chair to sit, giving her a front row seat to the festivities in her honour.

A group of students performed a square dance.  The routine was energetic, fun, and lasted for about 10 minutes.  It’s quite impressive to see young kids able to dance that long without a break.  I was told some routines last much longer.  Morty and the audience clapped along to the music while the dancers showed off their skills.

The principal continued the assembly with a prepared congratulatory speech to Morty for her many years of dedication and hard work in Inuit education.  An Inuit staff member translated the words into Inuktitut for the unilingual audience members.  (Morty is bilingual).  The principal led everyone in giving Morty a standing ovation at the end of his speech.

Former students of Morty, many of whom are on school staff, did a short celebratory dance with Morty.  The dance was spontaneous, but she appreciated it.

The head of the local District Education Authority (DEA) did short congratulatory speech and rewarded Morty with several gifts.  The Grade 2 class continued the assembly by singing a few songs in Inuktitut and playing the Inuit drum.

Inuujaq School staff posed with Morty for group photograph.  Staff were also invited to say a few words about their time working with Morty and if they wanted to publicly wish her a wonderful retirement.  This invitation was also extended to community members in attendance.

Morty was given the opportunity to address everyone in the gym.  She thanked everyone for coming to the assembly, supporting her through the years, and was glad to see her former students succeed.  She also stated she was glad to have chosen a career in education.

The assembly finished with a breakfast meal.  Well, it was more of a brunch based on the time the plates were handed out.  The food still tasted good.

The second assembly was Kindergarten Graduation.  The students and their parents/guardians & teacher were excited.  Everyone assembled in the gym in the afternoon.  A row of 10 red chairs were placed at the front of the gym for the graduates.  The kindergarteners were led into the gym wearing their blue graduation gowns.  They took their seats while the audience applauded.

Congratulatory speeches were made by principal, vice-principal, and the kindergarten teacher.  They also wished the kindergarteners all the best in Grade 1 and beyond.  The teacher called her students individually to receive a certificate and have their picture taken with her in front of a large poster.  I took the individual and group photographs.  The audience gave the kindergarteners a standing ovation.

 

The End of May

High school final exams were held at the end of May.  I administered two exams to my Grade 10 & 11 Social Studies students.  We spent several days reviewing the materials.  My Grade 10 Guitar students had a final performance test, playing a chosen piece in front of the class.  They spent several days practicing. 

Snow fell on the community on May 27.  It was surreal but expected.  I’m sure the hunters, fishers, and campers were glad because it meant more time to drive skidoos out on the ice.  I took a few pictures.

High school & middle school students spent the last day of May decorating the community hall for the upcoming High School Graduation ceremony in early June.  (More on this in a future post).  I borrowed a truck from Frank to transport everything the school would need to put on a great show.  There was so much stuff I had to make two trips. 

I parked the truck really close to the community hall steps.  Students unloaded the graduation supplies and placed them in the main lobby.  The Hamlet staff were just finishing mopping the floor.

The red carpets were unrolled and vacuumed.  Decorations were taped to the walls.  When the floor was declared dry, tables and chairs were brought out and placed close to the main stage.  Students also began blowing hundreds of balloons.  I inserted earplugs into my ears because experience taught me several balloons randomly and loudly pop.  And yes, quite a few did.  The balloons were black, gold, and white.

Tablecloths were placed over the tables as well as candles and flowers.  The red carpets were brought in and placed in the middle of the hall, forming a path towards the stage.  The stage itself was decorated white and gold cloths, balloons, a speakers’ podium, and two chairs for the graduates.

The dishes, cups, bowls, and cutlery were placed on a table next to a wall.  Two other tables would serve as the food tables. 

All the preparations were completed in the afternoon.  The community hall looked ready for a celebration.

 

ACR 2023

3045 Army Cadet Corps of Arctic Bay, Nunavut, held its year-end Annual Ceremonial Review (ACR) Parade on Wednesday, May 10.  An ACR is like a Parents Night Parade but with more awards.  It’s also viewed as a year-end parade for the regular training year.  The original plan was to hold it in April, but Nunavut Quest and Qamutik Cup made that too difficult.  I spent several days putting a program together, sorting awards, finding a Guest Review Officer (GRO), and buying snacks for reception.  The cadets & I also reviewed and practiced the parade format a few times.  Practice makes perfect.

The cadets & I arrived at the school gym an hour early to turn the place into a parade square.  Chairs, tables, flags, reception area, sound system, and photos were all strategically placed.  When all was ready the cadet parade commander took attendance and sized the cadets in a platoon.  Parents, guardians, and friends of the cadets arrived and took their seats. 

The parade began at 6:30pm.

I marched in with the GRO following behind me.  The GRO was the Vice-Principal of Inuujaq School.  We halted at the front of the parade square.  General Salute and O Canada were played.  The cadet parade commander approached us, introduced himself, and escorted the GRO through the cadet ranks so she could inspect them.  The GRO returned to the front of the parade square and the cadets performed a March Past to demonstrate their ability to move together as a disciplined & synchronized team.

The parade continued with the longest section of the program: awards & honours.  There are a lot of give out at the ACR.  Prior to the start of the parade, I instructed the cadets to set up a line of chairs at the back of the gym for them to use if they felt they were going to faint.  I also set up a small table with cups of water for them to drink.  I knew the chairs and cups of water would be heavily used during this part of the parade.

The GRO assisted me with the awards & honours by presenting them to the chosen cadets and taking a picture with them.         

I started with the marksmanship badges.  Five cadets improved their skills since the last Parents Night Parade in February.  I then called the Marksmanship Team to publicly congratulate them for their first-place finish in Winnipeg.  They each received a t-shirt and an extended applause from the audience.

Next were the physical fitness badges.  Eight cadets earned Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Excellence.

Training in the army cadet program is divided into star levels.  A year is required to complete a star level, similar to grade levels in school.  There are five levels: Green, Red, Silver, Gold, and Master.  All cadets were called to the front to receive their star level badges.  They would advance to the next level after summer.  The master cadets remain at the master level but work on achieving the National Star of Excellence (NSoE).  I’m glad to announce that two senior cadets achieved Level 1 this year.  (There are 4 levels).

The next batch of awards & honours was the plaques and trophies.  The first plaque award was the Most Improved Cadet.  This award goes to the cadet who has shown great improvement in areas of training, behaviour, and ability.  The second award was the Best Boots & Deportment trophy, awarded to the cadet who wore and maintained their parade boots and dress uniform the entire year.  The next trophy was the Best Female & Male Athletes.  This year it was a tie in both categories.  Three cadets achieved the Attendance Award for maintaining a high rate of attendance.  They each received a t-shirt.

The highly coveted Top Cadet Award went to a senior cadet who exceeded in leadership, drill, instruction, and deportment.  He received a backpack and t-shirt.

I saved promotions for last.  Six cadets received promotions.  Five Lance Corporals and a Sergeant. 

In my closing remarks I congratulated the cadets for their achievements, and thanked everyone in the audience for coming to support their local army cadet corps.  I also thanked Inuujaq School’s vice principal for being the GRO.

The parade concluded with the cadets doing an Advance in Review Order and a General Salute.  The GRO & I exited the gym, and the cadets were dismissed.  The parade officially ended.

The cadets & I posed for a group photo and then enjoyed the reception.  The clean up began thirty minutes later.  The cadets were dismissed for the night after the gym was spotless.

 

Spring Camp 2023

Inuujaq School held a weeklong spring camp during the first week of May.  The event was widely anticipated because the last time it was held was in 2019.  The school normally organizes it every year - as my dedicated readers already know - but it had to be postponed three times due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Everyone was glad & excited to see it return.

Spring Camp is an on-the-land field trip that gives students and staff the opportunity to experience traditional & modern Inuit culture & activities outside the classroom.  Some of these are: seal hunting, ice fishing, igloo building, sewing, story telling, Bannock making, dog sledding, and qamutik (sled) maintenance.

Planning began in March.  The Events Committee met once a week to discuss, plan, organize, and schedule.  School Administration and local District Education Authority (DEA) assist with ordering food and hiring Elders & drivers.  Elders are tasked with putting together the lessons & activities, and drivers chauffeur students, teachers, and supplies to the camp.  Teachers provide student supervision and are also allowed to participate.

Spring camp is spread across a week to prevent camp staff from being overwhelmed.  A predetermined number of students & teachers head out to the camp site each day.  High school students went first, followed by middle school, and then elementary school.  The last day, Friday, May 5, was reserved for just staff.  I was unable to attend the first day because I was in Winnipeg with my cadets attending a marksmanship competition.  But I did go on Friday.

Staff headed down to the ice at 9:30am, bringing everything they would need for the day.  They also carried supplies and loaded them into six qamutiks.  I brought my own skidoo.  We did a quick head count and then the convoy left at 9:45am. 

I followed the convoy but then sped ahead to take pictures of them passing by.  Staff & drivers waved at the camera.  The camp site was Pattaataliarusiq, about 12km southeast of Arctic Bay.  This location has been used for previous spring camps.  It’s far enough to be considered out on the land, but close enough to the community in case there’s a medical emergency. 

Staff helped the drivers unload supplies and put up the white tents.  The tents were already there but lowered to the ground to prevent them from being blown away.  There were supplies underneath, so at first, I thought these supplies were covered by white tarps.  Instead, staff lifted wooden beams and the tents “magically” sprung up from the ground.  Good camouflage on display.

Washroom facilities are always a concern when camping.  In the past, an igloo without a roof was built or a tent with a bucket inside was declared the washroom tent.  This year, the drivers brought a wooden outhouse.  The toilet consisted of a bucket with a garbage bag.

A high school graduate (HSG) was hired to provide dog sled rides for Spring Camp.  He’s been running his own team for a few years now.  Several staff members & I got to experience being pulled by sled dogs before lunch. 

A driver drove a skidoo pulling a qamutik.  The HSG sat on the back of the qamutik coaxing the sled dogs to follow at a slow pace.  If you’re on the sled being pulled, you have to be ready to throw the metal anchor off to the side to signal the dogs to stop running.

I must admit this was my first-time dog sledding and the dogs did very well.  They didn’t run off and I didn’t fall off.  We didn’t go too far from the camp site; “just around the corner.”  When we came back, lunch was being served.

The lunch menu consisted of caribou, hamburgers, hot dogs, granola bars, juice boxes, and whatever snacks people brought on their own.  Two small barbecues and propane tanks were brought to the campsite and the food was prepared by staff with BBQ experience. 

We went ice fishing at a nearby lake after lunch.  Two drivers drilled a few holes using a motorized ice auger.  Watching this is always mesmerizing due to how many extensions are needed to hit water.  The ice can be up to 9 feet thick so drilling through all that can take a couple of minutes.  The most efficient way is to have three people: two manning the ice auger while the third shovels the ice & snow. 

Despite our best efforts, we were unable to catch any fish.  But that’s the way it goes sometimes.  What I would like to do one day is buy/rent an underwater camera designed for finding & tracking fish and film several videos of Arctic char swimming around.  I could also use it to film seals.  I have GoPro cameras, but I’d have to attach them to the end of a long stick.  I’m also hesitant to do that because if the camera(s) detach from the stick, they’re gone forever.

Everyone returned to camp at 2:30pm for a little down time and snacks.  The cleanup / teardown of the camp began at 3pm.  Everything was packed onto qamutiks except for the wooden outhouse.  The leftover food was divided amongst the staff, Elders, and drivers.  I didn’t take any.  We left Pattaataliarusiq at around 3:30pm.  We arrived in Arctic Bay at 3:45pm.

Overall, the day trip was fun and a nice way for staff to enjoy the outdoors without students.  Yes, even teachers need a break.  Hopefully we’ll go seal hunting next year.