Saturday Shopping at the Northern

The sun has been out all day and the wind has hardly been blowing. I decided this morning to head out to the Matchbox Gallery…didn’t make it. When I finally got organized and dressed for the weather, Cole and Julie from next door were out playing on a sled with the neighbour’s dog pulling it. So I checked out the directions and thought I would head down by the shore of the inlet first. I took some roads that I hadn’t before to try to get a daylight map in my head.

Got passed the Co-Op and found the CIBC, walked past the cop shop complex and ended up where all the barking was coming from. The dogs are penned down by the water. By the time I got down there and taking some shots along the way I thought I better get over to the Northern for my saturday shopping experience.

As I picked up some items for my cart I was checking out the prices. I started at the vegetables. I paid 1.35 for a lemon. I’ve been drinking tea all week so I thought I’d get one to have with it. Then I walked past the meat and then the frozen foods. I found a nice ham there smoked with bone in for about $45.00 and that wasn’t’ quite five pounds. Frozen foods were more interesting with Green Giant Select Valley vegetables, the 500g size, for $4.69. I left the ham for the next person, also the vegetables.

Had a look at the basics, flour and sugar, both way up there. Then, I decided to scout out the rest of the store down the ramp and into the pharmacy, hardware, clothing, shoes, appliances, outboard motors and furniture sections. The goose decoys on top of the new washer dryer combination was neat. For ice fishing, there was the “ESKIMO” brand power ice auger (33 cc) which will run you $639.

K-Mart in the states used to sell rifles so that wasn’t so different. But in the notions and materials area was something that really surprised me. The bundles of flannel used for those boots and leggings were there right alongside the fur pelts, yes tanned and ready to sew furs.

There hung arctic fox in white, silver fox in grey, and coyote along with a couple that I couldn’t identify since they weren’t labelled. The beavers came in small, medium, large, and extra large. Now you know. A silver fox goes for $259. An extra large beaver in this town can run you $189.99 …installation not included.

The sunset was visible from my second storey window at 3 p.m. It’s now 3:30 and its getting very dark. I haven’t used those sunglasses I packed yet. Today, I thought I knew the way home… I was wrong. I must have done an extra two or three miles. At least I was dressed for it, was warm and finally found my dwelling. My $3.69 dozen of eggs hadn’t frozen yet. How do you tell? I really don’t know but at least they hadn’t cracked.

Just finished baking chocolate chip cookies. A large glass of milk, a Martha Stewart Everyday Blanket, a few of those warm from the oven cookies and I’m ready for the NFL playoff games. Who cares if I get snowed in or called out. Hey, let’s not go that far!

If this is Saturday we must be in RANKIN INLET

I must have been tired yesterday ‘cause when I woke up this morning at 915 I had almost missed the sunrise! My first thoughts when I opened my eyes were “It’s light outside! God what time is it?”

Neither the phone nor the pager went off after I got back at 7:30 or so. I haven’t been on call for I don’t know how long. It’s Saturday…my day off…sortoff…It’s too cold outside to wash the car…I don’t have a car and there doesn’t seem to be a carwash nearby…2 good reasons there. I do have to go and visit the coop store and grab their calendar. Also stop by the royal bank and see what my credit limit is before I head to the northern and look at those new hot snow machines…I’m sure Grace will enjoy going to work on one.

But at one o'clock, I have an appointment at the Matchbox Gallery with Jim’s associate. Jim is an artist, originally from NYC, who came here 30 years ago. I met him yesterday and he was quite knowledgeable about the area and Native art. He invited me to his shop. So I’ve got a tentative appointment there. I hope to be out of there by three so I can watch the sunset.

Yesterday I actually saw the sun rise for a moment before the clouds moved in and I got busy in the centre. I also saw the last 15 seconds of the Canada-US Junior semi final hockey game. I had tried earlier in the day to stream it on the internet at work but they had it blocked or too many were already there. I might have known it would have been on the TV in the main patient waiting area down the hall. Experience should have told me that one. I’m going to see if there is a gathering in town to watch the final..might be quite they show locally and on the tube as well.

I have some good news. My replacement coffee maker worked this morning so breakfast was more like home. I bought flax bread at the store the other night. It seemed the freshest to me and they was only a dollar difference. (I must be getting climatized!) Honey on fresh toast with hot coffee after orange juice started the mid-morning for me.

I’ll talk about my living quarters affectionately known to everyone as "the Barn" and post some shots of it later in the day, perhaps. But remember this is the North.

TGIF

Another busy day…there must be health centre “staff discount days” on Fridays. I didn’t get the memo. I’m not surprised. My contract is still in Iqaluit, as well. That’s the north!

For lunch activites we went outside and built an igloo. We would have finished it, too, in our ALOTTED HOUR but the building inpsector condemned it before we could get the permits. YOU REALLY THINK THIS HAPPENED? (No I borrowed this shot from the Arctic College brochure but it looks good don't it?)

I met Sam’s father in law and then Marlee’s dad was also in to see me. All the elders in the community and are respected for their age and wisdom. One’s boots were seal skin with a flannel lining that was intricately sewn and hand stitched. The seal flippers are very tough and are used as the “soles” of the boots. A shoemaker here is out of work with the skills that these folk possess. He’s about 80. Until last year, he went yearly for the hunts to the tundra.

His walking stick is also finely carved and well assembled using caribou skull, baleen and elk antler. When he was born, his nomadic family would have been following the elk and caribou across the region, hunting and fishing as required. He also fished and tended the nets for the char and trout ‘til last year with the family. His son had driven him to the clinic on the back of a skidoo. Then he was off to do some errands before returning to give him a lift back home on the back of the snow machine.

I’m learning the Inuktitut language one word at a time. Every time you sign in to the health centre computer system you get the Inuktitut “Word of the Day”. Today’s was “Qaqqujaq” which means biscuit or cookie. The dialect is Nunavik (one of at least 6 in Nunavut). In english, it can be pronounced OREO. Which also reminds me that I didn’t bring any with me…so they can be mailed to the Kivalliq Health Centre, Rankin Inlet, Nunavut. The postal code was listed earlier on this blog for those that were paying attention. The Inuktitut version, Wheel of Fortune, home game will be a hoot when its released next year. Vanna are there any q’s? Should solve half the words I’m thinking.

In this town you can get away with the line “look at the boots on her”. Up here people wear fur because it keeps them warm. The newbies and first timers working at the centre are easily recognized by their parkas. It seems this year’s colours were either red or grey. (mine’s brown so they think I’ve come back!). I also found out that the only open bars are located at the RCMP detachment office, just down the street and around the corner from the Royal Bank. I haven’t met Sgt. Preston yet and the sleds that have gone by, so far, are all motorized.

There are four official languages here in this territory. French and English but also Inuktitut and Inuinaqtin. The name of this territory is quite significant and very historic. In the Inuktitut language it means “OUR LAND” and covers nearly 2 million square kilometers. It officially became at territory on April 1, 1999. Queen Elizabeth II was in Iqualuit to honour the proclamation. This new territory settled land claims and was based upon Inuit land usage and occupancy from a process that had started in 1973.

With a median age of 22.1 years, it has Canada’s youngest population. It is also one of the fastest growing with an 8% increase over the past 5 years from figures currently available. It hyas the highest cost of living as well. Growth is everywhere they tell me…but until the sunrise this morning I couldn’t tell which way was north.

I just got back home from the centre having got my first call back into work. A sixteen year old wrapped his snow machine around something and his leg zigged when it should have zagged. He’s being shipped to Winnipeg tonight for Ortho consult. Was a cold walk home but not as bad as I thought until I realized I was heading back up the hill. Got to get some rest before the weekend gets here. Too late……

Rankin Inlet's' Native sons

Rankin Day 2 morning

Just spent my first night on call and I haven’t done that in 20 years plus. No calls. But tonight is Friday and who knows what will happen. In all the meetings and “welcome to Rankin Inlet(s)” of yesterday, I am finding out lots about this hamlet.

It looks crisp this morning with the winds light going from left to right out my front window. I haven't seen a sun rise nor set so I don't know which way is up...nothing much has changed by coming north. Last night after the snow blowing stopped and the dishes from supper were put away I looked out my dining room window and found the great “inuksuk” perched not 100 yards away. That’s the famous marker centrally located here in town and soon to be more famous as one symbol used for Vancouver 2010.

The other window shows a sight far more Canadian eh? The snow covered transport machines and a propane grill. Gotta love it.

The famous stories go on. Apparently Peter Gzowski, of CBC fame, visited here years ago and talked to a young man working at the airport. The story goes that he told him “you have a great voice and should be in broadcasting”. That’s the news anyways. Oh, and this young fellow’s name was Peter Mansbridge. Also the new terminal building for those keeping score has two gates for boarding.

My second tale today is of a more recent son still working hard to achieve his professional goals. Barney works at the centre for the firm that handles property management. I was told this by the acting director when she met me Wednesday night at the airport and we drive by their house here in town. Linda told me I’ll introduce you when he’s in the building. So after the morning rush had subsided and our hour lunch was over, she brought another visitor to meet me.

Barney’s a very interesting guy. He travels south to meet his son and goes on a couple of trips with him while his son conducts business. You can see the pride on the man’s face and near it in his voice when we were taking about him. Everything from his Halifax triumph to the first line position being held this year, he's a predator, actually a Nashville Predator. Barney invited me over to see the trophy room that remains in their family home. So Jordin, I hope you won your last game so your Dad‘s in a good mood when I get there.

I’m off to work shortly. Today will be easier than yesterday. The acting director has promised me that we “won’t work you as hard as we did today”. It’s a pleasure going in. I can’t remember a manager telling me that EVER!

There is an expression here that covers everything…That’s the north. My contract is still in Iqualuit. It might be in today. My coffee maker doesn’t work and a new one will be here soon. I’ll have my morning Java at the centre…too bad there’s not a Tim’s walk-through window on the way.

First full day In Rankin Inlet

It’s seven o’clock local time. I’ve just finished supper and it’s dark outside. Well it’s been dark since about three thirty. For those of you who wondered how my first day went…let’s just say I’ve never been welcomed so much…and it lasted the entire morning. It was national Lumbar Spine day here in R.I. and that’s the good news.

Since I landed yesterday the wind has been howling and the snow has been blowing. I did see a snow plow in the distance…but I think they use front end loaders here more for the drifts. In the glow of orange street lights the eerie haze of buildings could be seen intermittently when I got up this a.m. It continued all day long. Tonight, when we left the Health Centre and went to the “Northern” for milk and bread (and a free calendar), the wind had slowed. The sky had seemed to clear. I can now see clearly from the second story windows.

I got a ride here into work this morning. It’s cold here and the ride from my neighbour Julie (and navigator Cole) was appreciated. It’s only about a five minute hike to the centre for work…but which direction still eludes me at times. There is a lake in the centre of town and the roads are all snow covered. There is a lake in the centre of town and the roads are all snow covered. Every time I’m in a vehicle they go a different route...and there is no CAA office to get a map.

At the KILLIVAQ HEALTH CENTRE, everyone wanted to meet the “new” person. With a series of “have you been North before?” “when did you get here?” and the list of now familiar questions continued. They haven’t had a tech for a couple of weeks now…so most patients were returning today. So with a quick introduction to the lab\xray receptionist, I scouted the department…nice new equipment with film processing and a fluoro/rad table. There is also a portable parked in the corner that I will check out tomorrow. Upright bucky and phototiming complete the picture, so to speak. Oh and ER is right next door to my xray room. (Notice how possessive we become so quickly!)

The entire medical centre is only a couple of years old. This Health Centre was being completed when the old one had a fire and they were fortunate to be able to move over real fast. It serves as a midwife teaching facility and last year they had 55 births. Family is very important to the people here and the entire family involves itself in the birthing. (another note will happen later about that).

The first patients were what I expected to happen. An eighty year old female Inuit who has been having bad back pain since visiting relatives in Iqaluit over Christmas. The second a lady who injured her shoulder while dog sledding on the weekend. People here in the north are very resourceful. She came equipped with an internet printout for AC dislocation with a description of the various stages…diagrams and all. I should have kept it and may call her later to drop off a copy. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the time to read the articles. There were more spines and ankles and knees to be done.

I have seen more different styles of boots since arriving. Mine fit right in except they have no seal fur cuffs…yet. Felt style boots that don’t look like they would stay dry let alone keep feet warm. Colours, embroidery and lacings that are intriguing as well. You have to be observant.

Also, I have seen more babies transported in the only way I know to describe it…as papooses. I’ll get the correct Inuit word…and some photos to boot. The kids look warm and comfortable…being carried on their mom’s backs. Rosy cheeks are everywhere and the locals today were complaining about how cold it was. Little did they know that that same wind we had yesterday was bringing down the temperatures back at my home town. So now you know where those cold blasts come from….Your temperatures in Niagara should rise the next few weeks since there is now a hot air generator living in Rankin Inlet. He leaves on the 20th.

The trip into the “northern” was an experience. It has everything from groceries to snowmobiles, hardware, clothing and furniture. I’ll post a photo of what twenty bucks can buy you. The change is also shown. For January, my free calendar has a great recipe for Caribou stew and a great sunset photo Baker Lake.

Our patients are flown in for their xrays and other medical services not provided in the other communities. We service the communities of Baker Lake, Resolute, Chesterfield, Whale Cove, Arviat, and of course Rankin Inlet. I know I’ve left out some others…we’ll make it up later. My last patient arrived off the plane heading south from Baker Lake. She had her films and physician consult and was on their way back on the next flight north. They may stay over tonight and visit with relatives or friends since they are already here. Such is life in the “north”.

Arrived safe and Sound

Just a quick update to say the I've arrived. SO did all my luggage and everything transported....only a couple of very minimal things. I have settled in at "the barn" suite they've assigned me.

More later have to be to work for 8/...I have a whole page on todays' venture..I started at 3 a.m. and just now I've connected to wireless network so am able to send this out. Local time central is 12 midnight.

It is cold and Hanna tells me there isn't much snow yet! I'll explain this and more. Everything is put away or stored for the return trip.

Travel Day

Well today we just relax and let the other guys do the driving. The current snow storm here at home has caused the "bus" to arrive another half hour earlier. So now it's a 3:45 a.m start.

The good news is the day will be full of challenges...Westjet to Winnipeg departs Toronto 08:35 and arrives locally at 10:15. Calm Air departs Winnipeg 14:45 and arrives at Churchill, then on to Arviat and finally Rankin Inlet at 19:30 Central time. I have people waiting at the airport for me...that is if the weather holds and everything continues on as scheduled.

As the crow flies....approximate distances:

Toronto Winnipeg 1500 km
Winnipeg Churchill 1000 km
Churchill Arviat 260 km
Arviat Rankin 200 km

Very few crows fly north this time of year!

The bad news is it's a long day ahead...but I'm packed and raring to go. Also I willl miss all the college bowl games going on this week...don't know what kind of tv programming is seen there. Is there a video rental or movie theatre or local Legion?

Only time will tell.... and also this site.

Let the games begin!

Happy New Year! Its' 2008 already... and, well, its only 2 years now until Vancouver and Whistler host the world for the 2010 games. The olympics will be here before we know it. The olympic coins are now starting to become circulated. I think I got a Marion Bedard quarter in my change the other day.

The bags are ready to be sealed. A repacking of the "Rough Neck" occurred this a.m. It's quite amazing how you can combine the contents of one box into another and reduce the volume (but not the weight). The top fits on and will be duct taped and tie wrapped before the airbus arrives tomorrow. The was an accomplishment in itself. Any fluids are double sealed in freezer style baggies to reduce their flow on thaw. We'll see how it ships.

So my winter games are only 24 hours away from the official opening. In the meantime enjoy the rose parade and any college bowl games...oh and buffalo has got some sort of outside hockey game today...suppposed to be a classic. Happy 2008 and in february be prepared for that extra day this year.

SO....LET THE GAMES BEGIN!

Final Preps

What have I forgot? What is the first thing I'll have to buy since I left it:
a. on the counter.
b. in the fridge.
c. at the store.
d. forgetting that I might need it.

I don't know but today was a swirl...The two tins of tim hortins decaf (I may need it for trade) was purchased minutes before they closed for the next 24 hours. Everything that's semi fluid is packed in baggies should they freeze (yeah right as though that might happen!) and split. Thank goodness for Rubbermade Rough Necks..the north apparently lives on them! Mine needs to be repacked in the a.m. adding the final touches and the rest goes in my suitcase.

This will be interesting...the 4 a.m. niagara airbus pickup wed morning...Can I lift it? Will the airlines accept it? What happens if they don't? I've thought of everything...And anything I can't take I can always purchase at the local Hudson's Bay Trading Post..if they have one...I don't know if they still take pelts...and the are no beavers in the far north...so trapping is out...I have been told that the grocery store takes Visa, though. It's the only place you can buy fresh meat, walk home and defrost it for three days. Today was to be sunny...so it may not have happened.

A few last minute things to add to the collection. The lists are getting worn out and the mind is starting to blurr a little...in the meantime enjoy the new years celebrations....2008 is just around the corner. Talk to you tomorrow.

Getting Psyched

Getting ready for this adventure has been one of balancing the holiday season, work obligations and family time. The good news is that its almost here and the anticipation is something I can't explain. It's long been a hope to see the arctic and get north to the arctic circle. I'll be slightly south of the circle but in the arctic under arctic conditions. They should promote that in those travel ads.

Looking over lists and making sure everything is located, purchased and prepped to go has kept me (and my wife.. thank you) quite busy. There are only a couple of other things to get and then the packing can begin.

Are there enough clothes? Any time we travel, we usually travel heavy. This time it's heavy duty. The boots, the gloves, and the facemask make up only the shell of what's needed. There's almost three weeks to consider. I know what the accomodations consist of but what food to bring (I'll get to that at a later date)?

The good news is that I will speak (at least part) of the language of the area. The currency is familiar and they accept Canadian "AT PAR" which is very important when you live in a border town. They count and measure in metric and the weather reports sound quite familiar except for the proliferation of minuses on each report.

In less than 72 hours I'll be travelling. It will be a new year and new experience for sure. I'll keep you posted.