White Fox Jamboree

Health Centre on right 

Into the countdown now and the routine of cleaning a little bit then rewarding myself with something more fun is in full swing because……I leave on Thursday! Mind you, it's late in the day when I depart so I get to work for at least the morning and it's the first of three travel days but…I am headed home and to my non working lifestyle for almost six months. So some dusting, scrubbing and storing are a small price to pay. Especially as I'm able to leave my clothes in the closet and bureau and food (what remains) in the cupboard to await my return. Yes, this apartment is spacious enough for two of us to share alternately without disturbing each others things. The time has gone very quickly (despite this being a quiet gig) and it seems like last week, not eight weeks ago the job share partner and myself were switching at the airport. 

In my review of manuals for orientation requirements I came across one with the region

demographics and infrastructure. I'm including a map of the various first nations areas of Northwest Territories which as you can see here on the left is complex. Also a larger non native presence in this territory than Nunavut. I was surprised to learn that the 4000 x 100 ft. gravel airstrip had been built in 1955/56. Many communities in Labrador were still using planes with pontoons and skis in the late 70s when we flew up and down the coast. I got a better grasp of the geography of the area and history here as well.  And of course when thinking of flying over the high arctic in a small plane, the question of air safety is sometimes raised so I offer this article:

independenttraveler.com/travel-tips/travelers-ed/how-safe-is-air-travel

Flying through Edmonton, both Nunavut and NWT government employees are booked at the Royal Executive Inn which is a basic if worn hotel with an airport shuttle and a restaurant. The shuttle necessitates dragging of luggage to the stop, a wait, at least one phone call to summon the van, a tip to the driver who is a great sherpa and then dragging of bags to the room with a repeat in the morning. The morning is a circus with at least a 60 min. head start required due to the need to retrieve bags, a waiting line and heaving of luggage on and off the shuttle. All in the early morning hours which are not my favourite time of day to begin with. The Dr. when over for clinic, mentioned casually that GNWT booked him in to the new Radisson at the Edmonton Airport when he travelled for locums. I am sure that someone of a more lowly job status has made it their cause to seek the same accommodation because the boss told me on Friday that we are able to stay there but have to pay the difference in rates between the two hotels. The fee will be subtracted from our travel claim as in 'money you haven't seen anyway so won't miss' which is relatively painless. What is convenience worth you ask? I was astounded to find that the cost was only $33/night more at a new hotel, onsite at the airport, pool, steam room, free wifi and parking. Obviously I sent an email to the travel clerk to request this perk. Will do reconnaissance to see if they can accommodate an action packer in their walk in cooler, and if so will utilize them for my trips in as well. Looking forward to spending the weekend with the electrician daughter as we do the work financed hotel on Friday night and a visit with a Cuban friend and his missus on Saturday before I fly out Sunday afternoon. 

Jamboree Games

As this has been the weekend for the White Fox Jamboree, it has been a full social calendar. On Thursday night I made potato salad for the community feast as requested and the ingredients were supplied. I was dismayed to find no peas/carrots in the box of potatoes, mayo and eggs. Everyone I quizzed about their recipe for potato salad (and remember they

Community Feast

were all central to western Canadians originally) didn't use anything but potatoes and eggs, maybe celery. I was astounded and hoofed it over to the COOP after work to pick up a can. The manager is from NB and lived in Yarmouth for decades and he did not disappoint as there was one can of peas and carrots. Talk about your cultural immersion! There were games on the shore on Friday afternoon (egg and spoon races etc) with burgers and hotdogs being cooked in the canteen - no one but me seemed to be aware of the cold wind. 

The evening feast was a grand meal which was like a pot luck supper in any community. The only traditional food was musk ox meatballs which our clerk made - delicious. I am used to Nunavut feasts being a more rowdy affair with traditional foods. A nice chance to socialize over a great meal however. After supper the games continued with nail pounding (no Inuit games here) and as I was on call I got to glue one of the participants thumb back together and give him a tetanus booster. No further excitement than that. Here a Jamboree doesn't include alcohol or the shenanigans it brings. 

This morning there was a community breakfast sponsored by BP (positive marketing to the Beaufort Sea area) so I ambled over to the school for 10 am and had a lovely cooked meal. Not a large crowd but likely about 25 fed.  During the day there have been various games ongoing and tonight a bingo game which the boss attempted to convince me to attend stating it was "fun". It would have been rude to say that bingo and fun don't go together in the same sentence in my mind so I graciously declined. I am holding out for the jigging contest which is tomorrow at 5 pm. Tomorrow morning the health centre staff are cooking a community breakfast so I'll be a bit more involved. I tried to lobby the boss for making real pancakes and she insisted on pancake mix, I explained they are not much more work and I'd make them all myself but she decreed that there weren't adequate eggs at the store to make enough. sigh. I am taking real pancake ingredients and feeding the clerk and myself as we were outvoted. 

So a run to the finish and home to spring of ticks and mud. Here the brown is just starting to emerge, lots of snow and skidoos on the go. I noticed there is open water in the ocean which is new to me at this time of year, but the NW Passage is slower to open than out here in the Beaufort Sea. The hunters are awaiting the return of the ducks and geese and there is 'darkness' if that's what you call dusk between midnight and 4 am. Will be odd to not wear sunglasses at 11 pm. I have my permit to export muskox applied for - wouldn't do to get busted for that while I'm still on probation. Next posting is likely from about 7000 south and east of here.