Michael’s Last Day

The 15 foot Inukshuk quietly stands guard over the town since 1991

 Have you ever gone somewhere and recognized a face, tried to put a name or place to that face…and failed? Then later, when all is calm and quiet…you get that “EUREKA” moment and realize the where, the when, or the who.

Such has been the case these past two weeks. As my time here has lengthened and new introductions have slowed, I have searched my grey cells for snipits of info.  Surprisingly, I’ve had quite a few “eurekas” for several reasons.

I brought a collection of photos with me from my visit here in 2008. The reason being, I wanted to scout around town and record the “then” and “now” differences. On a slow evening, after the blog has been put to bed…I’ve had a chance to relive those memories and have been amazed as to what I do recall. 

My second Saturday, this trip, I was invited to Saturday breakfast at INNS NORTH with a group. We met outside the building, having huddled, then hiked, through the blowing snow that day, to sit and relax. We enjoyed each other’s company and the meal (one without self-preparation for a change). I was able to get an update on the changes occurring in the hamlet, the opening of the mine and what changes had occurred at the KIVALLIQ HEALTH CENTRE.

The Hunter's Special--$21.95 plus Coffee adds $2.95

We had discussed changes in staffing, resources, equipment and personnel…got updates on staff members that I had remembered…those grey cells kicking in again and again. It’s been a bit of a roller coaster ride trying to remember and place the people…they are starting to remember me. Our coffee breaks have been an interesting combination of northern stories…the Inuit and northern culture and events. While the terms I am learning about, my Inuktitut language skills STILL remain poor. Marie smiles when I try to pronounce some of my patient’s names. She is very polite and I wonder to myself what is she really thinking. In true INUK fashion, the listening and thinking occur much more than the speaking.

She has been a great source of information about the culture, the history and food habits of the native people. After hearing these tales, I‘ve decided that some of the delicacies that she describes of “country food” are not for me. Between cases, we’ve had the opportunity to share some stories of our families and lives and experiences, both in the radiography room and outside. I think she knows everyone in town…and they her. She seems well respected by the staff in the building…she is a definite asset, as they would say.

She is one, of but many, that work here. Some of the staff that were here in 2008 have moved off to do other things. Susie, the newly engaged nurse at that time, is now in Iqaluit, working in community health with a couple of kids. There are others who are working in other government agencies and offices in town. Then this week, while being called back into the health center one evening, I met Michael.

Michael works the ambulance in town. Not sure if he’s a volunteer with the fire service or an employee. He and his female co-worker had just arrived from the airport, providing transport from there to the health centre for a recently arrived “medevac transfer” from one of our outlying communities. This is common here. What we can’t handle gets air shipped to Winnipeg. What other communities can’t handle gets shipped to us. The people, providing this service, are important and a necessary component in the delivery of health care to the entire KIVALLIQ region of Nunavut.

The heated and enclosed ambulance bay

Michael and his partner had been busy and the night was still young…he was frustrated and needed to vent. I listened…asked a couple of questions and then reinforced his importance to the community as we discussed some of the cases, situations and events he had seen in his many years working the “bus”. He told me that he was going to resign on Friday…that he was “fed up” and the frustration poured forth. He was tired of dealing with the shootings, assaults, drunks, car and snow machine accidents and all manner of things that emergency services entail…more so, probably, in these smaller hamlets.

I told him that he was needed…who would fulfill his job…and agreed that we all have times where we want to “pack it in”...but then “what would we do?”…and, more important in a tightly knit community, “who” would take over? I told him not to be rash in his decision...to really seriously think about it…and hopefully we would be able to talk again in the next few days.

What I didn’t tell MICHAEL…was that he looked familiar and I tried to remember where and when I had seen him in 2008. It took the better part of a day or more...and then I remembered.  He had been part of the ambulance team that had rushed in a patient after school, one weekday around 4:30 in the afternoon. Try as we might, the medical team was unsuccessful in the teen’s resuscitation and he died. The hanging had been a success…another tragedy that this community was about to endure. I didn’t tell Michael that he was also one of the drivers that took the young lad in his coffin to the church. (The ambulance also served as a hearse when necessary, back in those days).

In 2008, I didn’t attend the teenager’s funeral that Saturday at the larger of the two churches in town (we now have three). I didn’t want to seem nosy and instead I wandered around trying to acquaint myself with the village and its layout. I had soon found myself on a small roadway on a hill above town, when I noticed fresh tire tracks in the snow, then lots of footprints. Before me was the town cemetery, an hour after the internment had been completed. No one else was there, just wind and snow. A green cross with his name, Date of Birth, and his D.O.D. marked the fresh grave. I remember the grave completely encircled by small rocks.

A family heading "out" after work on Friday afternoon

Back to the present, I wondered how many times that and similar situations, Michael had experienced since my last visit here to Rankin Inlet. It was then that I understood his concern, frustration, and perhaps, momentary despair. A couple of days later when I saw Michael, I had waved and got the return wave down the hall. When I had completed my task at hand, I wandered down to the ambulance “bay”…where Michael was cleaning the vehicle. I noticed it and complimented him on their shiny new “white cube” that they were now operating and asked him how long had it been here. A couple of years, he responded. I told him it was quite a change from the red painted truck I remembered. It was good to see that positive changes in the infrastructure here were staring to show.

When I mentioned that his “Friday” was coming soon and asked about his “decision”…he smiled and said he had talked it over with his wife…and that he would be staying on. I knew then that this community was still in good hands. It was not yet Michael’s last day!

A 24 Hour Change

Returning after lunch with my sun glasses...and no hood today!

There is nothing so constant as change, they say….who they is….who knows? The north is no different and the best example of such change is the difference of today’s weather…from that of yesterday.

At 0730 hours yesterday morning the bright ball of sunshine was well above the horizon with a few clouds and was closely followed within the half hour by a dense cloud cover that had obliterated it. This was followed within the next hour by howling winds that by the lunch had closed government buildings in other communities. My colleagues, here at the health centre, fully expected that we would close, as well, and that the schools would dismiss early. That didn’t happen.

Our snow dusted shovel

We work normally til 5 p.m. and it was bitterly cold blowing winds that I faced walking home. Marie was luckier as the wind was at her back…but she has further to go. When I was called back to work, after 7 p.m., those strong bitter winds seemed stronger than ever, and…well, let’s just say it was nice to get back home…and not have to leave that warmth for the rest of the night. Those howling winds continued through all the night. Even with the swirling snow on the ground we often, see the sun, the moon and the stars. Our moon is really a half moon now, it’s much higher in the sky, and is setting later at night just around midnight. By early morning, the wind had dropped.

Unused truck covered in a dusting from the night before...An open window!

Open treaded stairs

0720 this a.m. The red disc was bright and strong and the clear blue sky was a major change from a windswept landscape of the previous day. In the early morning light, you could see for miles out onto “the land”…probably the best visibility since my arrival two weeks ago. Walking into work, the snow had a crispness to it and scrunched underfoot. The snow drifts here can support your weight since the snow actually blows together causing them to be more hard packed. We don’t seem to have those fluffier deposits that I’m used to in the south. There was the warmth of sunlight on my face and the reflection of the snow made me make a mental note to get my sunglasses when I returned home at lunch.

The early morning frost & snow combo

Leaving the building for lunch, the sun was at my back but you could feel its strength around you…and the bonus was that there was no wind. The snow had been blown around last night. It
covered the trucks that had not moved this morning. The snow shovel outside my residence was still covered at noon and our steps remained snow covered as well. Buildings here are built upon metal pilings driven deep into the permafrost layers…and are usually open underneath...but well insulated and on those metal stilts. That results in steps and ramps as you enter any public (and many private) buildings.

Decking, steps and ramps are all open, grated and usually made of steel…so the snow will actually pass through the cracks, as it were, and don’t become an icy hazard. The buildup of snow and ice, even if it occurs, is much less then it would be on solid wood planks. If you don’t like heights…then don’t look down. I can only imagine what it would be like in the summer months. 

Noon hour activity on the back lot

With my camera in hand, I marvelled at how warm it felt in the lee of the stairwell, a protected entranceway. I turned and looked back over the open field that appears to be a major thoroughfare behind the health centre. Two or three snow machines whizzed by….and I could hear some dogs were barking (few had been heard previously), and sets of people were walking instead of single hikers.

Where did all the snow go?

I climbed my stairs just as a swosh of ice and snow fell off the window ledge a few feet away. It had been warmed by the sun and the combination of reflection off the metal siding of the building and the reflected heat from the window glass had caused it to melt and slip to the ground. The window next to it had been cranked open to get some fresh air. A couple of kids were just goofing in the snow and decided to show off their snowball fight armament…they were smiling. A definite change had taken place in the past 24 hours…I looked at my I-phone and checked the date again…it was February 26th...but it felt so much...like SPRING!!!!

Like a rock!

It’s blowing snow today…again. After another incredible sunrise, the clouds quickly thickened and

The snow is swirling again!

...but it started out...so nice!

closed in. The winds picked up and the snow started to blow around. Just before lunch we found out that the Repluse Bay government offices were closed. Our staff is hoping we will be closed this afternoon as well. Amid the blowing snowscape, the sun was trying to poke through, visibility was reduced and planes were grounded. Local truck traffic continued as though nothing was wrong.

“Like a rock” was a line in the Chevy pickup commercials a few years back. Since my trip in 2008, the town has grown in size. As we leave the Health Centre at 5 p.m., I have seen vehicles, sometimes 4 and 5 deep waiting at the 4-way stop intersections. I wonder to myself, if this growth continues, will traffic lights be far behind? There is much more traffic on our roadways...mostly extended cab pickups but SUVs and vans are seen quite often.  I would expect that most are the 4-wheel drive variety and all major truck manufacturers are included in the mix, but I’ve yet to see a Lexus or Mercedes. Some larger delivery vehicles are also present to ship goods to the stores and services around town.

While many of the vehicles boast the familiar GN (Government of Nunavut) Polar Bear logo on their side, many more are private and the remainder is business centric. The colours can vary…but their
function is clear…transportation of goods and people. Fluffy’s Taxi service seems to have a least 6 to 8 vehicles in its fleet...all are extended double seaters…and provide access to the many without.

The new taxis...a combo of SUV's and Extended cabs

Rankin Inlet has no roads connecting us directly to the south. You can drive here…you just can’t drive...TO HERE! The only ice winter ice road here is the one on the television. Everything…and I do mean everything…is either airlifted in or travels here by barge, container or inside the hulls of various watercraft. This time of year there is no water transportation as the outside temperature, since I arrived, has been -24C on the warmest of my days. Hudson’s Bay and the actual inlet are covered by up to 7 feet of ice…with less in the areas of any current (e.g. from a river flowing underneath). While the snow acts an insulator, it tends to blow off the open areas of the ice which results in its thickness.

You might wonder how so many vehicles have arrived. Many have taken the train to Churchill from Winnipeg and are then loaded onto barges or placed inside containers and arrive to the dock area here on the Hudson Bay coastline. Others may have been shipped from Montreal by ship container or tug and barge and have travelled up the east coast of Quebec and Labrador, through the various passages, once traversed by the early arctic explorers in wooden ships. Those same waterways are now used today by larger ships navigating with GPS and radar to deliver their cargo safely. The coastal communities rely on this method extensively in the warmer months to survive the bitter months of winter.

Oil and gas supplies arrive by both barge and tanker. The various grades of fuel are used locally by the planes, trucks, quads, snow machines and cars.

The storage tanks at the power generation station

Oil is for our heating and used in the generation of electric power, so necessary for our daily survival. I’m told regular gas is $1.20 a litre here in Rankin Inlet with the price being set upon delivery. In Niagara, today’s CHCH broadcast (available on our TV satellite system) showed currently a price of $1.04 and that’s down from the 1.32-1.36 high of last year. The lowest I paid this winter at home was around 81.9 cents and that seemed to vanish rather quickly.

A visit, to any of the local stores, often show their parking areas filled with all manner of vehicles…all with their engines left running…not at the airport or any of the coffee shops or restaurants since people usually remain in those places longer. You don’t see the snow machines running, so much, but one does notice the quads,  trucks and SUV’s all running in the minus temperatures to recharge batteries (in spite of many vehicles being plugged in at night) and to warm their soon-to-be-occupied interiors.

Some staff, even leave our building for a few moments, to start their cars and then return to finish

The Upper and Lower parking lots have electrical power for the block heaters

their shifts, knowing that their vehicles will not only be a little warmer on the way home after work, but will have enough cranking power for the next morning as well.  Trips around town tend to be shorter so the extra run time helps the engine overall as it temporarily warms the oil. Block heaters are common as are extension cords and electrical connections in parking areas. Outside my hotel window in Winnipeg, I had noted two rows of cars all plugged in for the overnight period. In the parking lot of the KIVALLIQ HEALTH CENTRE, there are some connections as well.

We have lots of parking available…it’s also free.  It’s not uncommon to see staff arriving and

My associate, Marie, heading off for lunch last week

departing in all manner of vehicles. While many walk to and from, on some of these blustery days, a ride is always welcomed. Quads, snow machines, trucks, cabs, and SUV’s all fill our parking areas with not a bicycle in sight (this time of year).

In this part of the country, the pickups tend to be the larger and heavier models, leaving me to wonder. Come spring, as this navigation season begins, will Rankin Inlet see any of those new all-aluminum Ford pickups arrive? Will they be accepted…or will people feel that they may be too light…too tough to handle on the icy roads and parking areas. Perhaps, they may blow around in these heavy arctic winds…unlike “a rock”!

STAY WARM…STAY SAFE!

ANNOUNCING: The buddy system!

Every year, in Niagara, we hear that our Health Agencies are actively promoting programs to reduce

The Letterhead of the Nunavut Department of Health..."BUILDING NUNAVUT TOGETHER"

the number of smokers. In health care and in the xray department, in particular, we have always seen the effects of long term tobacco use. The costs of increased health care in smokers is now well documented, both in dollars and in people. Each year, we lose loved ones to this deadly habit. Ironically, in this day of active lifestyles and healthy choices, there has been some resurgence in tobacco use especially within certain genders and age groups.

In Niagara, we have had major changes with respect to smoking in vehicles carrying children, smoking in parks and playgrounds, and maintaining distance from access points to buildings.  Schools have become  a focus for the continuing battle of the non-smoking example, banning smoking on school sites. It’s a relatively new phenom, since its only 46 years ago, our Grade 13 class fought for a seniors lounge…and when it was granted, allowed smoking within its confine. My how times have changed.

The GN (Government of Nunavut) LOGO

As well, in the sixties, riding the regular St. Catharines Transit buses, to high school each day, you really didn’t need to be a smoker since there was only about a foot of clean air towards the floor of each bus. It was especially bad in winter when all the windows were closed up. In spite of that, I never got started…and, therefore, it  was very easy for me to quit...compared to many others. I applaud their perserverance.

So today we got an email, from the GN, as they say here (Government of Nunavut), Department of Health. Seven years ago when I was here, you couldn’t help but notice the number of smokers that abounded. Many times during the day, many workers in our building would travel outside for their “nic fit”. Most of them were the support staff and, not so much, the health care professionals. This time around, there are changes in the number and frequency of those hanging out on the back porch. The numbers are down…thankfully. In an effect to further reduce that number and the negative resulting health effects and costs to the health care system, the GN was announcing up to $40,000 in prizes for their upcoming March campaign.

When I arrived on Feb 12^th, the Health Centre vehicle that picked my up at the airport, had a decal posted. I notice it right away as it was on the side where we stowed my gear. Since my arrival, I’ve made mental notes and realize that change on many fronts is occurring and this is just another in a

Health Centre vehicle banner

long line. This new memo today says:

The “Tobacco Has No Place Here” campaign was started to help Nunavummiut (residents of Nunavut Territory) understand the negative health effects of tobacco on our communities, people and land,” said Paul Okalik, Minister of Health. “In Nunavut we know all too well the devastating health effects of tobacco use. I support and encourage fellow Nunavummiut to come together and sign up to quit tobacco this March.”

Smokers outside the Health Centre at -30C

The contest is a two-person challenge, with a “quit buddy” supporting a “tobacco user” on their month-long journey to quit tobacco. Contestants can make an appointment at their community health centre ….”

The deadline to enter the contest is coming this Saturday, February 28, 2015...so you still have some time. People can sign up online at www.nuquits.ca or at your local health centre.

The regular band of smokers here at the Kivalliq Health Centre has been reduced since my previous visit in 2008 and they have been moved further away from the entrances. Perhaps, further reductions will take place over the next few weeks.

Hey, prizes totaling 40 grand...but, just before you decide to go online and sign up…you have to be a NUNAVUT RESIDENT.

...and, before you do, though, get out your Woolies!!!!

The Shopping BLITZ!

It’s elder’s day…and I qualify!!!! At the least, I’ve been told that I qualify…we’ll see, later, after work.

In Inuktitut, the definition of elder means someone who is older…thereby ‘potentially’ wiser, more learned, and more experienced, in the ways of life…and the Inuk, traditionally, has been taught to respect their elders. Does it happen here in the far north?...probably much more so than in southern Canada. 

The real excitement in town today is at the Co-op store…elder day is every Monday. A ten per cent discount, for every person over 55, is applied to their purchases….does it include cigarettes?...I won’t

The Co-op shares an entrance with the CIBC

know since I don’t smoke…somehow I would probably THINK NOT…due to the anti-smoking initiatives of the territorial government that I’ve seen recently.

While that 10% may not seem a great deal it helps move out items left ‘in-store’ from the weekend purchasing…helping to clear the way for new arrivals during the week. You can visit the grocery store and can tell when new products have arrived…the whole shelf can be taken over and when you return in a few days that same item may either be, gone completely or, limited to a single row. There is not a great need to store and warehouse stock...as stock sells when it arrives for, if it sits,

valuable cash flow is reduced.

The people here in Ranking Inlet visit the grocery, but when they see an item and fail to purchase, many times, it will have evaporated by the time they revisit. You see the same thing in the small islands of the Carribean as well as your local Costco during the busy Christmas season, especially.

Groceries worth $17.20 fit easily in a ten cent plastic bag

This past week I had the opportunity to visit both the Co-op and the Northern to pick up groceries and some supplies. The results of these visits were quite the eye opener…not a real surprise to me since my visit here in 2008 resulted in sticker shock at that time. If you didn’t read about it then, you are about to experience the north and learn quite quickly how good you have it...both in terms of quality

The change was $4.50 from two $20 bills

and value.

Bread, milk, soup and crackers. A loaf of whole wheat was $4.19, and later, the next week, I got a loaf of plain white wonder bread at $1.72 (discounted 50% off…it was fresh and they had lots on the shelf, so more stock was probably on its way…a clearance bonanza). A gallon of 2% milk was $7.79 at one store and $7.69 at the other. A four pack of Lipton French Onion Soup Mix was $5.99. A 454 g package of Christie Toppable Crackers was $6.39…but to double bag the milk was 10 cents per bag additional.

MEAT. I bought a 375 g package of store brand bacon at $4.39, a package of Schneider Red Hots @ $7.29 and 600 grams of lean ground beef at $9.50.

To replace my confiscated tube of toothpaste (courtesy of the Canadian Air Transport Security Agency at Winnie the Pooh airport), 130 g Crest was $4.19…but eggs were a very reasonable $2.49

$3.05 was returned from $30

for a dozen. The condiments included Kraft Miracle Whip 475ml @ $6.59, French’s Mustard (225ml) @ 3.19 and Bick’s relish...a 375 ml jar for $5.49. A small tub of Becel margarine (454g/1 pound) had me reaching for an additional $6.39.

The local paper weekly, Kivalliq News, from last Wednesday cost me 95 cents and there was no Soduko or crossword puzzle in it!...everybody reads it online I think. Transportation charges, due to weight, adversely affect the price of goods, since everything must be shipped in as cargo by air transport. Fresh vegetables are an even tougher acquisition…since freezing can occur during shipment. Size, quality, and price are significantly different from what we experience “in the south”. One of the staff here grows his own green onions, and bean sprouts.

I’ve posted some pictures of my purchases with the costs involved and the change received…from the prices you can see where the Elder discount…can make a significant difference for those on fixed incomes here in the north.

I’m still not sure if there's an inuktitut word for “Bon appetite!”

POST SCRIPT: I won’t be heading over to the other end of town for the ELDER DISCOUNT today. As of noon, we are in the middle of another KIVALLIQ blizzard warning. In Arviat to the south, the community has closed down and residents are asked to monitor their local radio station in case the situation changes. At Baker Lake to the northwest, a similar situation exists…All planes are grounded (except in my living room…the helos will be flying by 1730 hours). It will be a good night for hot cocoa…and to watch the swirling winds form the drifts from my window.

Stay Warm…Stay Safe!

Kick Me…When We’re Down?

At 63 degrees North Latitude, the harsh winters here lead to many indoor and organized activities, as

The arena in Rankin Inlet

you might imagine. The winds combine with drifting snow to provide an uncomfortable environment for outdoor events, this time of year. You dress for the weather and stay quite warm with the added gear, but it takes time to get ready to go outdoors and you don't stay longer than is really necessary. Indoor sports, in the high school school gymnasium are popular. Soccer, especially so, since those skills can be readily adapted once the nice weather arrives. There is a baseball diamond in town according to my local map. I'm not sure yet about basketball...and no bowling alley.

Curling at -38C outside

I’ve visited the hockey arena a few times. Actually, it’s a sports complex (and I’m told that a replacement might be in the works). Inside the complex, two sheets of ice, all set for curling and are actively used. Besides, hockey and curling, there are other sports and activities for young, and not so young, alike. So far, indoor model flying is not available …well not officially (yet) and not

organized anyways...just in my living room. After this weekend of indoor flying, I have to admit I'm doing great on the coaxial but the V911 will take a lot more practice, for sure.

Outdoor events include the local soccer field, which due to the short growing season has an artificial turf field. I'm not sure of its age yet, since I found out about it this weekend. It was a great improvement on playing on the stone field that it replaced. Lawn mowers, grass seed and fertilizer are items that you probably won't see here in the local Northern, or the Co-op either, but there are some neat stories about those items for another time.

Last week...one morning, when I came into the Health Centre, there was a gentleman seated in the waiting area near the Lab. A very interesting crest was embroidered on his jacket. In the centre of the patch was our beloved and easily recognizable, local “Inukshuk”…and some lettering scattered around it. I introduced myself and asked about RANKIN SOCCER.

The following story just shows the nature of the area and need. He told me he had coached indoor soccer with Under-18 year olds at the local high school gym for 28 years but had recently given it up. The organizing of gym time had been a hassle at times, but it wasn’t the kid’s behaviour or expectations or actions that lead to his recent departure…it was the politics in the boardroom. 

You could see it in his eyes, as he related some, of what must be happening, many times over, across our vast country…and it’s sad because we lose so many good volunteers to be replaced by the mediocrity of those who take their place…only to be further replaced when the glow of the position leads to the dimming of their new-found commitment.

He told me that he started out each and every season in the following manner. He would fill two water bottles and bring them in as he addressed the new group each year. He would throw one down onto the ground…say nothing…and then, calmly, place the other on the ground near it. He would ask those gathered which action they had felt more comfortable with. While a few wanted the violent approach as it certainly gained everyone’s attention, the majority, year after year, said they liked the calmness and quiet approach. The tone would be set for the entire season. 

This simple explanation showed the kid’s that there were two ways to play and the choice was entirely theirs to make. I thought what a simple but ingenious method of demonstration…but I failed to ask him where he discovered this, before he had vanished. 

Rankin Inlet Hamlet Logo

Just before he left, though, he related to me another analogy that he used with his kids…demonstrated by that famous yellow Happy Face. He used a similar story as one “Judge Judy”…he described that face as:

         two eyes to watch with,

        two ears to listen with,

       …and one mouth…so you had better really think before you use it. 

He continued with the outside of that face can leave you going in circles….if you let it!

In this hamlet called Rankin Inlet, one complaint that comes through loud and clear on many levels, is that there is not enough for the young people to do..but things are changing. The past use (and abuse) of drugs, alcohol and sex, along with a lack of self-esteem, often made problems seem so prevalent. These attitudes are changing...Positive role models are sometimes absent from the immediate family unit, the same as for families in the south. Positive attitudes are re-inforced in the schools and by youth counsellors. The results of suicide, teen pregnancy or police record affect the community, both short and long-term. The schools are an important focus in the fight for positive change. There are many programs trying to educate, to provide support and to change and modify lifestyle and choices. This is (and will continue to be) a prime focus for the long term advancement of NUNAVUT territory.

Sometimes a crest..is so much more!

Rankin Inlet and the Inuit people have a rich heritage and positive leadership can be found. There is knowledge, skill, and depth here with the elders. It just too bad, that kids can be the big losers, when certain adults try to take control and political gain gets in the way of simple fun and excitement. Sometimes, just a simple crest allows you to find out so much more.

THE FLEET HAS ARRIVED!

Life is not all work here in Rankin Inlet, NUNAVUT TERRITORY. To keep my mind active, rather than just watching the TV or playing on the internet when connections are available, I've got some distractions. The last time, I resorted to a blog. It was well received,so I'm doing that again. It makes me look at things objectively, noting the many differences here in the north, and it allowed friends, family and co-workers, (both medical and otherwise), an opportunity to become educated about an area of our country that few have had the privilege of visiting. The Canadian Arctic is a vast area under extreme change, for many reasons.

The KIVALLIQ HEALTH CENTRE stands on the street corner with lots of property surrounding

Things, both in and on the ground, will continue to stress this environment, as will the changing climate, in ways that are unimaginable. For the people who live here, change is in the wind and concerns run wild. Seven years ago, these concerns were expressed to me. Now further change is happening...at an even greater rate.

ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION Branch #169 as it stands today

This hamlet has grown. New warehouses near the airport were recognized immediately on touchdown and confirmed on my trip into town from the airport. Seven years ago the KIVALLIQ REGIONAL HEALTH CENTRE stood in a newer section of town (area 6). The building had been completed just a couple of years prior to my past visit. It had very few buildings near it.

A sunny day shines on the Legion in 2008

To the North North West of the Health Centre is the Legion. Just a short walk from where I'm currently bunked. This past sunday afternoon, amid an overcast sky with snow blowing at times, I spent some time looking at my 2008 photos to try to see if it was possible to notice changes from the last time. I've included a couple here as a comparison.

A few years ago, I decided to pursue another dream, after I had stopped one day along the Thorold Townline road on the Niagara Falls-Thorold border, at the NIAGARA REGIONAL MODEL FLYING CLUB field. I watched in amazement at the skill these fellas possessed and how they could make those models perform. Over the next three years I have been able to develop a few of those skills. First, I used a flying simulator program on the laptop. After discussions, I chose PHOENIX since it had free upgrades, I started with Version 3 which was updated from version “g” to eventually “t”, before Version 4 was released and now am using Version 5”v”. Can Version 6 be far behind? The program is loaded and on my

laptop and gives me practice for my stick time.

Phoenix Version 6 with my Apprentice Trainer

Coaxial S107G 3-channel in Yellow

Then I got a “foamy” trainer for the field and it took a long time til I qualified getting my wings last fall. I stayed with electric rather than going liquid fuel for several reasons. In the meantime, several of our club members fly indoors in the winter at several locations. First, they started flying many saturdays at St. George Anglican Church Hall for a few years now. Some older members of this group approached the City of St. Catharines and we now have a Seniors program tuesday and thursday mornings, 9-12, at the Port Weller Community Centre on Bogart Street. There, we can fly indoors or outside in the more pleasant weather, year round.

The V911 Version 2 hovering nicely

The third place that indoor flying is occurring is a the YOUNG'S SPORTS COMPLEX in Welland. Finally there is a group flying indoors at the Recreation Centre in Niagara on the Lake. Indoors, I started with a Night Vapor, and am still flying....of course it has been modified and parts have been replaced... gravity, can be so unkind!!! And then we have built some planes using Dollar Store for, board, hot glue and meat skewers or popsicle sticks....add the electronics, battery and the fun begins.

 But, here in Rankin Inlet, I don't think there will be many indoor pilots. All kinds of outdoor ones flying everywhere but these model planes don't tolerate gusting winds well. So thinking indoors and never having flown a radio-controlled helicopter, I decide that this was the route to go. On January 3, I ordered a WILTOY V911 Version 2 from banggood.com. I also ordered extra parts, blades, batteries and such. All told there are four parcels and three have arrived to date. They have free shipping to anywhere in Canada unlike the surcharge usually added to any Canada Post parcel to the territories. Not knowing when they would arrive, I simply shipped them to myself “c/o XRAY DEPARTMENT” of the Health Centre and notified my boss that they may be showing up. They only arrived a week before I got here and they were stowed until my arrival. One, with some extra batteries, is MIA.

CANADA POST DELIVERS!

Upon opening the packages all was present and, I'm pleased to report, as of today are operational. Both small helicopters have been flying inside my accommodations today. The trick was trying to hover and take the photos at the same time...quite a feat since, I've never flown a rotor before today! Now to recharge the batteries and continue my learning.

Having worked in a hospital for almost 40 years, I've given a new meaning to the phrase “THE FLEET IS IN!!!!”

30 Days…

…Hast November, April, May and September….Bob has even fewer left. It’s February 20…and four weeks today, I’m scheduled to fly home. While I’m really not counting the days, it is hard to believe that I’ve been here 10 days already. Where does the time go?

Ironically, Spring has also only 30 days to go, as well. For those down south, this has been a very cold winter. Here in Rankin Inlet the weather has been typical of winters past. If you really wish to count the time 'til Spring, load the following link (http://days.to/spring/2015).

 When I left the Health Centre, after five last night, the sun was low in the sky and it was quite light. The days are getting longer and by the end of next week, both here in Rankin Inlet and those daylight hours in Niagara, will almost be the

same length.

By the time I leave, on the first day of Spring 2015, here in Nunavut, I’m estimating our days will be about 2 hours longer than those in Niagara. If I were to stay ‘til June, locally, we would have daylight occurring from 3 in the morning until 11 or 12 at night. The light affects people and I’ve heard, from a couple of sources now, that the long days of summer are actually tougher to take than the short days of December. People seem exhausted from all the daylight. I’m sure that there have been studies on the effects.

Images showing the sunrise on
Wednesday from my breakfast window

When I was here in the month of January of 2008, I can recall having about four hours of daylight when I arrived. I know this since it was only on the weekends, that I could take any outside photos through the town. We work straight days, Monday to Friday, here at the KIVALLIQ HEALTH CENTRE so I was limited for my daylight outside shots with the exception of our hour long lunch hours (but I had too far a walk to return home and be back for 1 p.m.). My weekend outdoor photo shoot time was reduced even further if I got called back to the Health Centre for any emergency cases.

This time, I’ve had the opportunity to explore a little more in daylight, even in these cold temperatures. The most amazing thing is the sunrises of the past ten days. While we have had some overcast, cloudy and down-right dark cloudy mornings, we have also had some spectacular sunrises. This series was shot on wednesday morning in less than ten minutes. Having the chance to watch the sun peer over the horizon, from my breakfast window has been awesome.

Those subtle changes in hue of the deep purple through the many hues of violet into blue happen as the sun creeps higher in the sky has been most interesting. My digital images may not capture the full essence of the beauty…but we’ve tried. The one thing you tend to miss on the landscape are the trees. There are no trees. While last time this bothered me considerably, this time I’m resigned to the fact that they don’t exist…so let’s move on!

What intrigues me most about today’s computers is the ability for me to type and edit in English so that you can read it….copy the text, paste the copied text and then have the pasted copy translated into INUKTITUT and print it out below for you to see! Everything above this lined paragraph was copied and I will attempt to paste it into the blog (wish me luck!). As you can see, some words have no direct translation but others do. Grace and I saw the same thing in Russia, 18 months ago on our vacation there. The Cyrillic alphabet, running under Microsoft WindowsXP. You could make out the symbols and the position of the various buttons were identical, but you would never be able to run a machine while reading the screen.

STAY WARM…STAY SAFE!  Big hockey tourney this weekend…it started last night.

30 ᑕᔾᔅ…

…ᓴᔅᑦ ᓄᕕᒻᐱᕐ, ᐊᑉᕆᓪ, ᒪᔾ ᐊᓐᑦ ᓯᑉᑎᒻᐱᕐ….ᐳᑉ ᓴᔅ ᐃᕕᓐ fiwir lift . ᐃᑦ'ᔅ Fipruarj 20…ᐊᓐᑦ fuur wiiks ᑐᑕᔾ, ᐃ'ᒻ schitulit ᑐ flj ᓱᒥ. ᓴᕐᑦ ᑐ ᐱᓖᕕ, ᐳᑦ ᐃ'ᕕ ᐲᓐ ᓯᕆ 10 ᑕᔾᔅ ᐊᓪᕆᐊᑦᔾ…whiri ᑐᐃᔅ ᑦᓯ ᑎᒥ ᒍ? ᑦᓯ ᑕᔾᔅ ᐊᕆ ᒋᑦᑎᖕ ᓗᖏᕐ ᐊᓐᑦ ᑉᔾ ᑦᓯ ᐃᓐᑦ uf nixt wiik, ᐳᑦᔅ ᓯᕆ ᐃᓐ ᕋᓐᑭᓐ ᐃᓐᓕᑦ ᐊᓐᑦ ᑦᓱᓯ ᑕᔾᓕᒡᔅᑦ ᓲᕐᔅ ᐃᓐ ᓂᐊᒐᕋ, will ᐊᓪᒧᔅᑦ ᐱ ᑦᓯ ᓴᒥ ᓕᖕᑦᔅ.

ᑉᔾ ᑦᓯ ᑎᒥ ᐃ ᓕᐊᕕ, ᐅᓐ ᑦᓯ first ᑕᔾ uf ᔅᑉᕆᖕ 2015, ᓯᕆ ᐃᓐ ᓄᓇᕗᑦ, ᐆᕐ ᑕᔾᔅ will ᐱ ᐊᐴᑦ 2 ᓲᕐᔅ ᓗᖏᕐ ᑦᓴᓐ ᑦᓱᓯ ᐃᓐ ᓂᐊᒐᕋ. If ᐃ wiri ᑐ ᔅᑕᔾ ‘ᑎᓪ ᔪᓂ, lucallj, wi wuult ᓴᕕ ᑕᔾᓕᒡᔅᑦ uccurring frum 3 ᐃᓐ ᑦᓯ ᒧᕐᓂᖕ ᐅᓐᑎᓪ 11 ᐅᕐ 12 ᐊᑦ ᓂᒡᔅᑦ. ᑦᓯ ᓕᒡᔅᑦ afficts ᐱᐅᑉᓕ ᐊᓐᑦ ᐃ'ᕕ ᓯᐊᕐᑦ, frum ᐊ cuupli uf suurcis nuw, ᑦᓴᑦ ᑦᓯ ᓗᖕ ᑕᔾᔅ uf ᓱᒻᒥᕐ ᐊᕆ actuallj ᑑᒡᓯᕐ ᑐ ᑕᑭ ᑦᓴᓐ ᑦᓯ ᔅᓱᕐᑦ ᑕᔾᔅ uf Ticimpir. ᐱᐅᑉᓕ ᓰᒻ ixhaustit frum ᐊᓪᓪ ᑦᓯ ᑕᔾᓕᒡᔅᑦ. ᐃ'ᒻ ᓱᕆ ᑦᓴᑦ ᑦᓯᕆ ᓴᕕ ᐲᓐ ᔅᑐᑏᔅ ᐅᓐ ᑦᓯ ifficts.

Whin ᐃ was ᓯᕆ ᐃᓐ ᑦᓯ ᒧᓐᑦᔅ uf ᔭᓄᐊᕐᔾ uf 2008, ᐃ can ricall ᓴᕕᖕ ᐊᐴᑦ fuur ᓲᕐᔅ uf ᑕᔾᓕᒡᔅᑦ whin ᐃ ᐊᕐᕆᕕᑦ. ᐃ knuw ᑦᓯᔅ sinci ᐃᑦ was ᐅᓐᓪᔾ ᐅᓐ ᑦᓯ wiikints, ᑦᓴᑦ ᐃ cuult ᑕᑭ ᐊᓐᔾ ᐆᑦᓯᑎ ᑉᓱᑐᔅ ᑦᔅᕉᒡᔅ ᑦᓯ tuwn. Wi wurk ᔅᑦᕋᐃᒡᔅᑦ ᑕᔾᔅ, ᒧᓐᑕᔾ ᑐ Fritaj, ᓯᕆ ᐊᑦ ᑦᓯ ᑭᕙᓪᓕᖅ ᓯᐊᓪᑦᔅ CINTRI ᓱ ᐃ was ᓕᒥᑎᑦ fur ᒻᔾ ᑕᔾᓕᒡᔅᑦ ᐆᑦᓯᑎ ᔅᓱᑦᔅ with ᑦᓯ ixciptiun uf ᐆᕐ ᓲᕐ ᓗᖕ lunch ᓲᕐᔅ (ᐳᑦ ᐃ ᓴᑦ ᑑ far ᐊ walk ᑐ ᕆᑐᕐᓐ ᓱᒥ ᐊᓐᑦ ᐱ pack fur 1 ᑉ.ᒻ.). ᒻᔾ wiikint ᐆᑦᑑᕐ ᑉᓱᑐ ᔅᓲᑦ ᑎᒥ was ritucit ᐃᕕᓐ furthir if ᐃ ᒍᑦ callit pack ᑐ ᑦᓯ ᓯᐊᓪᑦᔅ Cintri fur ᐊᓐ imirgincj casi.

ᑦᓯᔅ ᑎᒥ ᐃ'ᕕ ᓴᑦ ᑦᓯ ᐅᑉᐳᕐᑐᓂᑦᔾ ᑐ ixpluri ᐊ ᓕᑦᑦᓕ ᒧᕆ ᐃᓐ ᑕᔾᓕᒡᔅᑦ, ᐃᕕᓐ ᐃᓐ ᑦᓯᓯ cult ᑎᒻᐱᕋᑐᕆᔅ. ᑦᓯ ᒧᔅᑦ amazing ᑦᓯᖕ ᐃᔅ ᑦᓯ ᓱᓐᕆᓯᔅ uf ᑦᓯ ᐸᔅᑦ ᑎᓐ ᑕᔾᔅ. Whili wi ᓴᕕ ᓴᑦ ᓱᒥ uvircast, cluutj ᐊᓐᑦ tuwn-ᕆᒡᔅᑦ ᑕᕐᒃ cluut ᒧᕐᓂᖕᔅ, wi ᓴᕕ ᐊᓪᓱ ᓴᑦ ᓱᒥ spictacular ᓱᓐᕆᓯᔅ. Uf which ᐃ'ᓪᓪ ᐳᔅᑦ ᐊ fiw. ᓴᕕᖕ ᑦᓯ chanci ᑐ watch ᑦᓯ ᓱᓐ ᐲᕐ ᐅᕕᕐ ᑦᓯ hurizun, frum ᒻᔾ priakfast wintuw ᓴᔅ ᐲᓐ awisumi.

ᑦᓯ ᓱᑉᑦᓕ changis ᐃᓐ ᓱᐃ uf ᑦᓯ ᑏᑉ ᐳᕐᑉᓕ ᑦᔅᕉᒡᔅ ᕕᐅᓕᑦ ᐃᓐᑐ ᑉᓗᐃ ᐊᔅ ᑦᓯ ᓱᓐ cript ᓯᒡᓯᕐ ᐃᓐ ᑦᓯ ᔅᒃᔾ ᓴᔅ ᐲᓐ ᒧᔅᑦ ᐃᓐᑎᕆᔅᑎᖕ…ᑦᓯ ᑎᒋᑕᓪ ᐃᒪᒋᔅ ᒪᔾ ᓄᑦ capturi ᑦᓯ full issinci uf ᑦᓯ ᐱᐊᐅᑦᔾ…ᐳᑦ wi’vi ᑦᕇᑦ. ᑦᓯ ᐅᓂ ᑦᓯᖕ ᔫ ᒥᔅᔅ ᐅᓐ ᑦᓯ lantscapi ᐊᕆ ᑦᓯ ᑦᕇᔅ. ᑦᓯᕆ ᐊᕆ ᓄ ᑦᕇᔅ. Whili ᓚᔅᑦ ᑎᒥ ᑦᓯᔅ ᐳᑦᓯᕆᑦ ᒥ cunsitiraplj, ᑦᓯᔅ ᑎᒥ ᐃ'ᒻ ᕆᓯᒡᓂᑦ ᑐ ᑦᓯ fact ᑦᓴᑦ ᑦᓯᔾ ᑐᓐ'ᑦ ixist…ᓱ ᓕᑦ'ᔅ ᒧᕕ ᐅᓐ!

Stay warm...stay safe! I'll try to send some warmer weather soon.

Next up: THE FLEET HAS ARRIVED!