Saturday

Decided to show the new staff member, T., around town. We drove about 30 km out of Chisasibi, over the LG1 dam around sunset and then returned to town, had dinner at the local restaurant. It was nice to eat out - it had probably been the 5th time I'd eaten out over the past 3 months. There was a $30 four-course special. I had goat-cheese ravioli while T. got boar and apple. The sides were tasty, tomato with butter and parmesan, rice and fried zucchini, broccoli and cauliflower. There was beaver tail for dessert too!

Receiving Thanks

Teachers don't often hear their students show appreciation, so when they do, it means a lot.

Mock Exam #2

G. and I marked some of the exams. We promised $10 iTunes card for 10% increase from the first exam, $20 for 20%. So far, it looks like I have to buy the following number of gift certificates:

5 x $5
3 x $10
3 x $15
4 x $20

And the GREATEST improvement goes to one of my favourite kids, E.! Wow, what a great way to start the weekend.

Teaching Independence

Today, I spent an entire period teaching about parts per million (ppm). I broke down step-by-step every detail on how convert from basic ppm (1g / 1 000 000 g) to how it can be 1 mg / L to or even 1 mg / 1 kg. I went slow and steady for everyone. A lot of them felt much better about it. I'm glad I did the class.

At the end of the day, 5 students came out to try a few more questions.

As they worked, they wanted me each to look at their individual answers. Up here, a lot of kids have a sense of learned helplessness. It's easy to get in the habit of coddling them - even if you're running around the room, getting a calculator for them or flipping the textbook to the right page just to make a class go quicker - and I know I need to stop doing. These are Secondary V students after all! Some are mature students, the oldest one at 20!

As I was making fruit smoothies for them and they were all whining for me to come over, I told them to check their answers with each other. They looked at me as if it was a strange idea. When I finally convinced them to do so, they all turned to me and said, somewhat surprised and still unsure of themselves, "We got the same number." I replied, "Well, you all did it right and don't need me now!" They must have felt proud but didn't feel entirely confident they were actually correct.

Many of the students here have low confidence and would never even think of checking their neighbour's answer. Why would you cheat if your buddy doesn't even know if he has the right answer?! Part of my job is to teach them to become independent, especially if they want to success and go to colleges next year. The professor is probably not even going to know your name, let alone come up to your desk and help you with your work.

For Fun

Settlers of Catan and blueberry pie make for a great afternoon

Switching to the Fast Lane

M. call me at 9 am this morning. His mom is severely ill, last that I heard. She may have passed away last night - I didn't ask. He took off for the south, so I've taken over his classes for today and tomorrow. It was a full-teaching day, all four periods - I somehow made it through - all the Sec Vs know me and I taught last period math as well. The Sec IV kids are really good, well-behaved kids.

The vice-principle, E., is asking me to take over the classes for now, and possibly until M. comes back. He might be gone for 3 weeks, absolute worst case scenario until Christmas. This takes away for prep time. I am requesting another staff member to be sent up but I don't think this will happen, due to budget restrictions. It's a stressful scenario for everyone as R., the math teacher, left yesterday. My coworker, C., will be gone as well. There is no math department! A., who is working with extracurricular activities at the school, has been requested to fill in but has no background in math. The new teacher from Parry Sound, G., will have his schedule adjusted as well.

Three periods of science went great although I was tired by last period math. I ended the lesson early and gave them some riddles to solve. They loved it so I need to find more. These seem like great riddles to use. They break up the monotony of the day and it gets everyone excited. I might put one out at the beginning of class - the early birds get to stay stimulated as we wait for others - or at the end of class - keeps them in the room so they don't try to wander out.

The boys in Secondary V solved this one. Do you know the answer?

Question: What goes around the world but stays in a corner?
Hint: Something you would find at the post office.

Heart-Warming Story

Great article about the Inuit school in Kuujjaruppik:

 http://www.nunatsiaqonline.ca/stories/article/65674students_at_kuujjuaraapik_school_learn_to_live_peacefully/

 My friend is also featured in it!

In the Right Place

Had a dinner party with my old students in Whapmagoostui. My old colleague and I cooked spinach lasagna for them.

At one point, my students looked at me and said that they didn't think I'd be back here. I sat there thinking of everything that's happened in less than 6 months. I wouldn't be sitting here if things had been different.

I'm glad I made the right choice - for me, myself and I. There was no other way.

How I Teach Math

I recently wrote to a colleague about how I teach math:

This is what I usually do for math: The first time I assess a student one on one, I make them play with the graphing calculator on my Macbook Air or iPad. What is x=0? What happens when you make it x=1 x=2? Then what is y=x? What is y=-x? They learn very quickly. I don't actually teach them what y=mx+b is. I force them to play with the graphing calculator until they can explain to me what every single part represents. I then use an example of a taxi ride to show this idea: m is the $ per km and b is the base fee (y intercept). 
Then the second time and every time after that, my student sits down with me, I put in four equations such as:

y=4

x=-3

y=x+3

y=-x+2

And put a sticky over that part of my computer. She has to write down all 4 equations correctly before I do any work with her. She takes the sticky off and checks her own answer, then we start. It kicks the brain into the right mode, and then NOW I can teach math.

Back from Waskaganish

Time is Money: A 15-minute mistake cost me $333.43. After spending a lovely weekend in Waskaganish, I went to the airport and missed check-in by about 10 minutes. The attendant wouldn’t budget or allow me on board – despite the fact everyone was still waiting at the gate – and I ended up returning to Chisasibi the next day on a few flight. Utterly embarrassing, considering that I am usually on time and never let myself make such a silly slip-up. This was probably the first time I’d ever missed a flight.

Back to Hudson’s Bay: In a couple of weeks, I'll be headed back north to visit Whapmagoostui. I’d previously worked there for 8 weeks last spring when I was still a contractor. The refundable fare on Air Creebec costs $434, while the non-refundable ticket is only $232 – that’s a difference of $200, nearly double! We’ll be staying with a friend.

Back to Work: Part of me hates going away for the weekend because I come back feeling a bit disorganized. It’s been a hectic week and I feel like the paperwork is a bit overwhelming. I didn't even eat lunch when I came back from the airport. I’m actually looking forward to having some time off classes – two afternoons are being canceled because of Hallowe’en and a hockey tournament – to play catch-up. Don’t ever go into teaching if you can’t organize your papers!

Good Planning is Key

Teaching has been swell. The students are enjoying my lessons and are responding well. I regularly use media, especially YouTube, to support my lessons and wrap up ideas with formative assessment (although I'm a bit behind with marking). They are picking up the material better than I expected and seem interested. Today, I taught them about bioaccumulation with an activity I learned during my Project Wild workshop in 2008. Here's a lesson plan with construction paper instead of popsicle sticks.

Part of an effective class is good planning. Foresee your problems (i.e. have a whistle and lay down ground rules, boundaries), especially when your plan involves kids running around in a gym. Make sure they know the consequences (i.e if there's too much chaos, they know that the activity ends and we all go back to the classroom).

To a teacher from the south, it looked like a regular class. To a teacher up north, that was a fantastic job, especially when you had half the class activity participating, giving answers and in the last ten minutes, they're still writing (instead of standing at the door waiting for recess.

These are the days I work for.

Saganash

This is unfortunate:

NDP MP Saganash taking sick leave to treat alcoholism 'I need help to overcome a medical problem, a dependence on alcohol,' MP says 

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2012/10/22/pol-saganash-flight-intoxicated.html

Anticyclones and Depressions

Hands-on activities are great. This is a model that the kids made.

Notes should be concise and easy to remember.

Lesson: Tides

Great activity we did this morning on how tides work. I came across it while searching for videos on YouTube. All you need is string and a few small objects like marshmallows, a cup or a ball.



I filmed the students with my iPad and they were quite proud. It's nice to see when they pick up a lesson quickly and are interested. I'll use their videos to review with them tomorrow. Here are the four that we made:

Vincent Maurice and Wesley from Min Min T on Vimeo.

Kyle and Colin from Min Min T on Vimeo.

George and Christian from Min Min T on Vimeo.

Kyle and Colin from Min Min T on Vimeo.

Whoa!

I saw the craziest northern lights last night! We went to another teacher's house for a potluck and someone noticed the lights. Everyone went out in the cold to watch the sky filled with purple and green, just streaking and flickering, dancing very fast!

Tough Luck

I am working with a student who likely has dsycalculia. She cannot isolate variables and doesn't know the difference between a negative sign and a subtraction sign.

Sunday

We have internet at home now but since I use a Macbook Air, I can't plug in. We ordered a router from Future Shop and I hope it will arrive by mid-next week. Right now I'm at school. We worked with three students for an hour. Still very busy and trying to get the classroom organized. I will be helping teaching four or five classes a week, in additional to our sessions after school.

La Grand River

On Saturday, C. and I drove to Radisson. We invited another staff member, J., to go with us. It was a little over an hour's drive.

We took a short hike, picked up some groceries and visited a Cree/Inuit arts and craft store. 

Here, I am standing at a lookout to one of the HydroQuebec dams in the distance, on La Grande River, the second largest river in Quebec after the St. Lawrence River.

Sorry I know my updates have been kind of crappy and short. Haven't had the time to write much lately.

Good Job!

Coordinator enjoyed the 2-day that we put together last week in Chibougamou. This is the email that he sent to my boss:

Hi J.,

I really wanted to comment the roll-out with you, but time went too fast. I had to be in Montreal for meetings, and travel back to Mistissini. First of all the Curriculum was very well received by the teachers. I really liked it and think it is bringing a big load of relieve on teachers shoulders. Second, as usual [your charity] did very good in choosing their presenters, R. and M. were an excellent team. They have got teachers attention and brilliantly deliver the goods. 

What I liked the most, they have managed to make the teachers believe in them and in the curriculum. Congratulations to them. 

Once again, thank you and many thanks to your team.

H.

On the Radio

(Regina Spektor starts singing ...) I was on the radio this morning! We made an announcment to the community about our pizza party launch and how we will be here to support students taking science. It seems a lot of people failed the June 2012 exam and there will be a retake in January 2013. That's our main project right now. Today is my second day at school.

Not Cree

The cashier at the supermarket asked me for my Indian status number. I couldn't only blurt out, "Ummm, I'm not Cree."

On the JBH

I nearly ran over a skunk driving 130 kph, on the James Bay Highway. Started in Matagami and spent 6 hours over 650 km and listening to Superfreakonomics, Headlights and Fun. Played some Hold'em at Wits and Wager. Thankful to be able to unpack now, after three weeks! I finally have a kitchen here in Chisasbi.

Chibougamou

Arrived today at 4 pm and took a short hike around the lake. R. and I picked wild blueberries! They tasted awesome!

New School Year ... And a New Start

I've returned to my company as a full-time employee!

The past few months were pretty crazy - having officially left my last relationship, I started my summer as an emotional trainwreck and spent the latter half rebuilding my strength by visiting friends, traveling to California and learning how to laugh again. I have gone through a lot of healing in the past month and a half. What I've realized is that I can't be good at this job if I'm not happy; on the flip side, I won't be happy unless I am doing what I'm good at! Conclusion: finding work and life balance is critical for me.

I went back to work earlier this week and am still working in the south right now but just wanted to announce that I will be continuing this blog. I will also be cleaning it up, editing it a bit as one of my friends has suggested using it for job hunting in the future.

Onwards to new journeys.

A Good Job

My supervisor sent out a list of all the students that graduated in the 9 communities.

In total, we hit our target of 93, double from last year! In my community, there were ten students out of twelve. I'm so proud. There are several students that I'd like to visit next year when they go to North Bay to attend college.

We all deserve a pat on the back! I miss my team.

Back Home

Have not had time to update - I just got back this afternoon. Feeling worn out and just need a lot of rest. A big part of Cree culture is to be able to laugh at yourself. I'm too tired to laugh right now but enjoy this video.

Four More Days

The science exam starts at 9 am in the morning. I've prepped them as much as I can. My work here is done. Tomorrow, I'll be in at 8 am cooking bacon, eggs and toast to help encourage them to be here on time. Some of them will intentionally miss the exam. Next year they will repeat Grade 10 for the third time. Others will hope that this is their ticket out the door and will work harder than they have in all the years they've been to school. I cross my fingers and wait for the results.

It's been quite an adventure the past four months and I'm ready for a break. There are a lot of people who say to me, "You've got a tough job" and I laugh. I never thought it was taxing, maybe because I fit well into my role. It didn't feel like work. I did it and I knew it had to be done.

But the reality of it is that I'm worn out. Not physically nor mentally but just in my heart.

I work with kids that rarely show appreciation. On a daily basis, I could hold a door for students without getting a simple 'thank you'. A lot of them won't talk to you or show any emotions in their face. I am often turned down when I make a simple request. Sometimes, I'll be ignored outright when I ask a question. I make appointments a lot and if I am lucky, the student will show up 45 minutes late. Half the time, I am stood up despite pinky swears and promises. I've even made batches of cookies for no one, even after knocking on the doors of houses, only to have parents tell me that the student is sleeping in after coming home at 9 am in the morning from drinking and partying. I spend a lot of time having high expectations, only to have them lowered repeatedly, time and time again.

Being the Optimist in everyone else's life isn't easy.

And it's definitely not a job that many people can do well. Yet what comes out of it has been amazingly rewarding and worth all of that. There really isn't a secret to it. You just have to do it to figure it out on your own, if you haven't already. I appreciate everything that I've learned up north and feel lucky to have had such wonderful experiences up here. But I'm also happy to be headed home in 4 days as I finish up my contract.

I can't give anymore love right now. My heart just needs a break.

Safety

Reading about the shooting at the Eaton Centre in Toronto, I'm appreciative of the extremely low crime rate here in Whapmagoostui. I've left my iPad with little kids at the gym, as they sit on the bleachers and play games, come back to it as it sits in my backpack (hockey sticks are more likely to be stolen).

So no, this never happens to me up north!

Teaching electricity

Three more weeks before my job ends. 

Exams are coming fast and soon! We're not getting a lot of students coming out to our after-school program to prep for exams. My lessons need to be more engaging, so I went through some supplies at school and made this awesome matching column quiz with a few basic materials:

• wire-cutter and wire-stripper
• 9-volt battery
• wires
• metal paperclips
• bulb
• cardboard

I worked with four kids after school. Only two stuck around long enough for me to show them this. We stayed until 6:30 pm. It was a long but extremely pretty productive day.

 ABOVE: The front of the matching-column quiz. Students have to place the two wires to the correct answers for the simple circuit to work and the bulb to light up.

ABOVE: I couldn't find a nice cardboard sheet so I rummaged this scrap box from the kitchen! The back of the board, where you can see which wires are connected to each other.

Groceries

Today, I paid $6.59 for the tiniest box of blueberries and $4.19 for a single avocado. Other fruits seemed better subsidized; a bag of mandarins only cost me $4.89.

At work, we are given an additional $300 to help with the increased cost of food up north. Looking back at my monthly expenses on Expensify.com, this actually works out just right:

March $310.74

April $268.73

May $318.27

I don't buy any junk food except fair-trade, organic Camino chocolate at $4-5 a bar. My breakfast granola is made in organic and produced in Quebec, jam-packed with vitamins and keeps me full until lunchtime. I rarely buy processed food - although I admit I ate a frozen pizza on the weekend - and cook for myself nearly every day. My lunch was a bowl of soba* with some bok choy. Tonight I made my fried rice from veggie sausage, frozen peas and corn and an egg. 

You don't survive well up here unless you take care of yourself. There aren't many restaurant options on these isolated reserves, unless you count the cafeteria or the cafe next to the airport. While you may balk at the prices, look at it this way - there is more value in the avocado than a $2 box of Kraft dinner if it means that I will finish eating my value pack of romaine hearts. I'll feel more energetic when I go to work. My health is not compromised and I'm proud to say that I've slimmed down to a healthier body shape since being up north the past three months. 

Our diet is an investment into our personal long-term health. I just wished more people realized this!

(Maybe that's why Rob Ford got back onto his weight loss challenge?)

*Japanese buckwheat noodles

Fear of Apathy

I went to the Secondary IV class today to work with the substitute teacher, but sadly, I didn't get to teach any of the students as I had hoped. Not a single one showed up. They knew that their science instructor was away in Montreal and skipped the morning classes. I ended up chatting with the supply teacher, K., instead. This was his first teaching job out of school, after graduating from North Bay. He said that likely, they will be looking for a Grade 2, 3 and 6 teacher next year and there'd definitely be opportunities for me. It seems that every other day, someone keeps encouraging me to take a job here. It's nice to know that I am welcomed with open arms.

Thinking back to my walk with A. last week, I remember telling her the thing I'd fear the most about working up north is falling into bad habits. I see it here and it scares me. There are many teachers, that you can tell, are probably brilliant and amazing. Yet when you walk into the classroom, you can see that it's fallen into disarray. Garbage on the ground, the sink is cluttered, books are scattered around and even the teacher's desk itself is cluttered and disorganized. It's sad to see when there's no pride in how the classroom looks*. 

And I do not ever want that to happen to me.

To fall into apathy. To no longer give a shit about the state of my classroom because I am too stressed, too fatigued, too overworked, too dispirited, too overwhelmed by the issues that I'd face on my job. I am just as human as the next person and easily susceptible to the environment around me; why should I think that I wouldn't suffer the same fate? I'd already burned out from my first teaching job and it took me more than a year to recover. My mental health is important to me and therefore, I am extremely careful about where I want to end up next.

My current job isn't sustainable in the long run and it would strain my relationship with Snoopy. Travel is fun for a bit and I get to meet different types of students and see how schools vary from one to another. Ultimately, I'd still like to have my own classroom and some routine for a year. A classroom where I have my own system of organization, decorated with diagrams, posters, student work and word walls. A space that both my students and I would share and take pride when we learn, experience and create together. 

But not a classroom up north. It's hard enough to set in habits and build on basic numeracy and literacy skills when two-thirds of your class have missed half of the classes by December. How do you execute your long-range plans when kids regularly disappear for weeks at a time and show up again with no notice? You might learn how to deal with misbehaviour in the classroom, but I'd be hard pressed to say that any of us in teacher's college was ever taught how to deal with absenteeism. 

On the flip side, would it be better to be overwhelmed? To be in a room full of screaming kids throwing chairs and yelling profanities? I'm not sure which environment I'd do better in. However, I am happy that my appetite for teaching has returned and that I am ready for the next challenge. I hadn't always felt this way the past couple of years. I don't know what the next year will look like but I will look forward to it with high hopes.

*I'm one of those people who will organize a room in every spare second I get. This applies not only to my own classroom, but sometimes someone's room that I am visiting. I don't have OCD although sometimes it appears that way!

**Quebec equivalent of Grade 7

Brrr

Bird-watching on the Hudson's Bay this morning with the biologists. I finally got to ride an ATV out, about 5 km. It was beautiful - sadly I did not bring my camera this time. Spotted some glacous gulls, red-breasted mergansers, black scooters, juncos, sparrows and scaup.

Standing there with binoculars, I heard, "Min Min! Min Min! What are you doing?!

Little kids from the gym found me again!

Sudden Changes

I took this picture on Wednesday. It was warm and I was sweaty when I walked out to the supermarket, only to realize I forgot my credit card and walked all the way home and back out a second time. I was sweating, in a thin jacket, rain jacket and my Columbia Omni-heat shirt. I was overdressed that day.

In the photo, three little kids are peeking into a teachers' house. This is how you entertain yourself if you live in a small town.

Tonight, I went to play board games at another teachers' house. It was raining and extremely windy and A. and I were panting by the time we got to J.'s house. J. and I then went over to R.'s house, where I introduced the gang to Forbidden Island (we won). Then I learned to play Bang.

When I walked home, this is what my door looked like. I had to run through several inches of snow.

There are 6 more days until June. WTF. Here's another shot of my front door.

Thank goodness I still have my Helly Hansen Primaloft jacket. I love it SOOOO much.

Video: Pemmican

We only pay $60 for 10 GB of data so no YouTubing for us. I would love to watch this, as it was filmed in Whapmagstooui but alas, I cannot :(

I will have to wait until July to do so.

The Week So Far

Monday: Had 5 students come in on the holiday. One had to come because I talked to his dad on the phone; obviously he got booted out of the house. He showed up without smiling (but we had him in a great mood by the time we left).

Tuesday: Walked to the Northern supermarket and picked up ingredients for our spaghetti party on Thursday; the kids are going to make the food and then we will go for exam prep.

In the afternoon, as I wandered into the office, the principale and vice-principal were chitchatting. The principal, J., a man I greatly admire and respect, asked me what my qualifications are. The VP had a huge smile on her face, asking if I'd like to stay in Whapmagstooui. Clearly, they had been talking about me! I shyly replied out of all the Cree communities I've traveled to, this has been my favourite thus far; I had considered it but that other obligations were holding me back.

After school, I ran a workshop on exam preparation. The principal was in attendance, as were four other teachers (one worked for our charity last year). While it was my first time conducting the workshop, I was a bit nervous in the beginning. It went well overall although I felt sloppy here and there. Sometimes I want my lessons to be perfect and I stress on the little things. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed running the workshop and see myself doing it again. I realized that I would definitely want to have more opportunities to develop my leadership skills in an educational setting.

Wednesday: We got 8 parents who came to our open house!! It seems that everyone here takes coffee only with cream.

Sunday

Raced 3 litte Inuit kids on their bikes. Then we went to the Northern supermarket and I bought them some treats.

Ahhh, to be a kid again ...


Dumpling party was also a success - we are three in the house (I am speaking like a Franophone) and then 5 other people came. We devoured ALL the dumplings that were made. Played Forbidden Island. Party broke at 9 pm. Good times.

Our Team in Waswanipi

Post this Facebook status:


So played Capture the Flag last night with Youth Fusion. Unfortunately our team could not claim victory because the game was called due to presence of bear.

Late Night Saturday

It is really depressing watching drunk people yell at each other. It's also horrible when you see the white people versus native people scenario. And of people trying to do the right thing, only to rub others the wrong way. (i.e. a white teacher couple fostering a Cree child, whose parents are junkies and too young, only to have the community resent them for 'stealing away' one of their own people). 

It's 3:30 am and I'm going to bed now. 

Things I Miss: Beer

I'm not sure whether the north is doing this to me, but I only come to the realization last month that I actually like beer. I'd attempted to drink it here and there but never feel in love with it until a few weeks ago, sitting at Rancho Relaxo's, I'd ordered an Amsterdam Blond. Then the following week, I had a King's Pilsner with Dave at Castro Lounge, my new favourite beer-and-lunch place. So when I read about the 2012 Ontario Brewing Awards that took place last night, it was nice to see that both of those breweries won an award (and I have decent taste).

On a reserve, there are no SAQs. And even if there were, there probably aren't any good Ontario beers on the shelf.

Anomia

And some white wine.

Wifi works now!!

WHOOP WHOOP

Setting Up

After two days drive, we flew in from Chisasbi to Whapmagoostui on Monday. Yay, the flight attendant spoke to me again in French on the plane! My accent is respectable despite the fact that I'm barely saying anything. 

Getting organized, doing a lot of photocopying, meeting up with teachers and saying hello, logistics, setting up meetings, getting students back in … the ball is rollin'.

Pizza party tonight.

That Awkward Moment When ....

... you log into Facebook and see this status update:

JXXXXXX

that awkward moment when you drop your cocain in the snow
LOL !:P

Week off

Back in Toronto for my week off... Still a lot to do. It doesn't feel like a vacation. Plus I have a headache GRRRRR

Training

Four day of training. We have a half day tomorrow and are splitting up .... all 30 of us!

I am sad :(

Car Trouble

... And of all places, it was in Toronto. I had the staff vehicle on Sunday afternoon and picked up two other coworkers at the Greyhound station. As we were leaving the area, I made the mistake of trying to go down Bay Street, while there was a Sikh festival happening. The car was inching along the road a meter every few minutes and began overheating. I pulled into Albert Street from the wrong direction - one way road - and called the CAA. They were really fast, only 15 minutes thankfully. This was 3:30 pm in the afternoon and we were suppose to be heading up to Colligwood! The three of us got towed to Bento, a 24-hour mechanic located on Dundas West. The Sikh festival disrupted traffic in other parts of the city too - considering that Sundays are pretty quiet, it was crazy. It probably took us 45 minutes to get to the mechanic in what would normally be a 15-minute drive. We waited for an hour for the mechanic to give us his verdict. Fan was not working but it was fine we left by 6:45 pm. He gave discount for CAA members so it only came out to $120 including tax for two problems - low coolant and fan. Really, I am embarrassed to say that the first problem could have been an easy fix. I still want to take a car fixing course ... Maybe later this summer? Anywhooooo we finally arrived by 9:30pm, I drove the whole way and was exhausted by the time we arrived. Week has been good. Oh, I have been chosen for community team lead when we head back to Great Whale! It's nice that people do see me as a leader at work here.

CBC: Aboriginals Podcasts

http://www.cbc.ca/podcasting/includes/radio1/aboriginals/standard/index.xml

Jan 5th episode rocks!

More French Music: Malajube

Yay for more French music!

One of my coworkers had this on her mp3 player. Then we heard it again on the radio driving through Val D'Or. I can't believe I've never heard this song! It's so catchy! From the Last.fm website:

Malajube are an indie rock band from Montréal, Québec, Canada. They sing in French and have three albums out on Dare to Care Records. The group made itself known in 2004 with the release of its first album, “Le Compte Complet.” Critics welcomed the disc with positive reviews, which allowed the group to become instantly famous in the Québécois music scene. Several of its songs, such as “Le Métronome” and “La Valérie,” were prominent mainstays on several Québec radio stations. For the production of the album, the group turned to Martin Pelland from fellow Montreal band The Dears.

Was voted on CBC 3 as "Best Reason to Learn French". Dave would like this.

Famous French Songs

What good is living in a new place if you don't learn and appreciate the music there?

I heard of Michel Rivard only after watching this parody created about Stephen Harper cutting arts funding. What diversity that I was completely unaware of in the next province!



The English lyrics of La complainte du phoque en Alaska.

Here is Zebda. Tomber le chemise means "take off your shirt." Zebda is from Toulouse, France and is known for political activism. This is such a drinking song!!!!! You don't need to understand any French for this song to make you pick up your feet and dance!

Thank you to L. for getting me hooked on this song.



Put your heart into it!

Down South

Last leg yesterday was from Rouyn and to Collingwood. I dropped off V. and D. in North Bay after having a late lunch at the Burger Bar. It sort of sucks saying bye ... although D. I will see again in a week but not V. And suddenly it felt alone to be in a car. We work, live and play together. The fact that we get along so well is what makes this job worthwhile and fun. I would not have survived this long up north if it weren't for my coworkers. They keep me motivated at my work and in my own life. They have become my friends and have made me a better person.

Despite being on my own, the drive from North Bay through to Huntsville was gorgeous. Perfect view, few cars on the road. Also, I picked up a new FM transmitter for the iPad in North Bay so I could listen to my music! The green coming out on the trees and the grass was also nice - north of North Bay, it's still mostly snow-covered. Two hours later, I got lost around Orillia but stopped at a hunting/fishing supply store and got directions to Collingwood.

Yay! Dave and I finally reunited, after 2 months apart, at the Starbucks.

We went to the Oliver and Bonacini at the Blue Mountain Village for dinner. No, I had no special clothes. Still wearing my boots, my McKinley fleece reeking of sweat from being trapped in the car for 2 days, my hair in a mess. Honestly, I didn't care how I looked but I was wondering how others might perceive me. I got the $15 mac and cheese - I had this last summer with my mom for Canada's Day - but would have been a hundred times happier if I was eating the President's Choice Deluxe White Mac and Cheese that costs me $2 at the supermarket. Our dinner there would have covered half a tank of gas and a week's worth of groceries. Normally I'd be excited to be at the O&B but sitting amongst all this privileged white women, I secretly wished I could pick them up and stick them in Waskag to live there for a few weeks. I feel lucky that I have the ability to be mobile and see different cultures and lifestyles and yet I also feel that, at the same time, it's a responsibility for people to experience different cultures. This is the same feeling I felt after I returned from Asia.

To cut a long story short, the two of us stayed at a B&B in Wasaga Beach and went hiking at the scenic caves Sunday morning, after we spent an hour at the office dumping off BodyZorbs and science supplies.  It was beautiful at the top of the mountain with the tree canopy not yet developed, sunlight providing energy to spring ephemerals like blue cohosh and trilliums (some starting just to unfurl their petals). Turkey vultures zipping on the breeze just at the top of the mountain. I loved it. It was a great day but we had to leave at 2:30 pm to make it home for dinner.

And when I returned to the city, I just felt exhausted. The busy 400 highway with the aggressive drivers, the hideous advertising signs that fight for your attention, the people in the malls that looked overly concerned with how they look and what piercings they have and their makeup, everyone talking fast and sharp.

Trop. Trop. Trop.

Until today, I finally understood some of the Cree kids I met. The ones who spent a few years in Ottawa or Montreal and I asked them where they prefer. Life up north.

Old Photo: Sleeping in Car

An old photo that A. had taken of me, sleeping in the back of our super-packed van. Leaving Waskag to head to Great Whale. Was taken 6 weeks ago.

Drat, I lost that purple scarf I bought in Vietnam.

For Sale: Ontario Northlander

All over North Bay and Temiskaming yesterday, we saw signs opposing the privatization of the Ontario Northlander (ONTC). The Ontario government recently had announced that it was going to sell the line. This lane brings people from Cochrane up to Moosonee and is mostly commonly known to Canadians as "The Polar Express."

While this article in the Nation News gives a very narrow outlook of the consequences, I am wondering whether there can be a positive impact if the right buyer, with the right intentions, comes along.

We Need Our Northern Trains

Rouyn

We said goodbye yesterday to our students and took off this morning to Rouyn. D. drove the first have to Matagami, where we stopped for lunch. I filled up on gas and then hopped into the driver's seat. We got into Rouyn around 5 pm. Tried to drop off our beer bottles at the SAQ but apparently they don't take them! We had to go to IGA and got $6.10 for beer bottles.

V. and I were walking around the store, feeling a bit overwhelmed by the choice. OMG! Oasis juice is $1!!!! (We blow a lot of money on food and juice up north to entice kids to come, normally it's $2) We were sort of wandering around, eyes like saucers, staring at everything. I laughed when I noticed that the seafood sales girl were watching us. Like we had dropped down from another planet and had never been in a grocery store before. All the things we lived without before in front of us, V. said she wanted to buy everything! Reverse culture shock, I call it.

Stayed at the Alpin Hotel again. I finished ordering - a cannelloni with a garden salad instead of caesar since je suis vegetarien -  and D. said, "Your French is really good!" which was a nice compliment. I have a good accent but I just don't speak enough to feel comfortable. I really wished I had done more French because I'm envious that I'm not fluent in it.

After dinner, we stuffed ourselves silly, we had some beers. L., V. and I did some clay face masks. Sat around chatted. Tomorrow have to drop off L. at the bus stop and then drop off V. and D. in North Bay. Last 4 hour stretch and I get to see Dave! And we will hang out for Collingwood for a half day together!!

It's been two months apart so I know that we will have a good time catching up together.

Breaking All the Rules

I'd recently been emailing an old high school friend of mine. He was asking me how things were and as I began to tell him what life was like up here, I had to explain that I've been "breaking a lot of rules" the past 2 months. I wrote to him:

You might balk at this but I also drink in a dry community and bootleg stuff in ... it's more to help keep us sane, a glass of wine, some beer - just like normal people after a stressful day. Quebec is not as strict with how wet/dry these reserves should be. If you do this in Ontario or in northern BC, you get fired. Immediately. Pack your bags and hop a plane. Don't even think of bringing mouthwash or hand santizer in. You've just lost your job. 

Even in the classroom, how ethical is it that I help students on their tests? Should I give them a better chance of passing high school, when the currently school board graduation rate is less than 1%? Or do I do what "proper" teachers do and hold fast to those principles? How fair is it that the odds were stacked against them the moment they were born into these communities?: 

... at school I help students on tests and prompt them on answers because they are failing so bad they have zero confidence in everything they do. 

And last year, the Ontario College of Teachers officially said they do not approve of teachers using social media to contact students. Despite that, just a month ago, I made an Facebook account for my job so I can contact students and get to know them better. 

I would never do [these things] "in the south" I do things here all the time that 2 months ago I thought I would NEVER do. From afar, it's easy to shake your head. But living in the midst of it I understand better how things work and how things can work.

I would not be successful at my job if I didn't break the rules. 

Spring Hunt Festival

We worked even though it was a PED day (professional development day). We threw a pancake party, after advertising it on Facebook and had 2 students showed up. M. really liked working with me and we covered some functions as well as started looking at a practice science exam. I didn't have time for lunch but scarfed down a grill cheese quickly in the girl's Cree culture room.

Afterwards, we dropped into the Gathering Place today. It was a bit of a disappointment as it was mostly kids running around. There were some nice handicrafts for display, but not for sale. The elder who made it offered her services. You can ask her to make stuff - for exam, a beautiful pair of moosehide clothes with tassles and beadwork would be $150. Unfortunately I did not take a picture of them but here are some other photos:

Baby booties and mitts! Can be used as decor too. 

Scrap leather is used for making toys. 

Toy snow shoes and a mini-paddle

C. holds up mini gloves

Ice-pick to chip ice for ice-fishing and a shovel to scrap out pieces.

Traditional Cree snowshoes

Tim Whiskeychan is a local artist that decorated the Gathering Place with his paintings.

C. got a small custom-made painting for $200 including a frame. Very talented man!

Wacky Weather

It was brilliant and warm and beautiful. Although I loved the winter this year, having experienced it in the north, I began looking forward to warmer weather. The other day, we were walking around with spring jackets and the first time in MONTHS I felt rain.

And then this morning it started snowing. Inches by the end of the day. Our front steps were covered and I had push my feet through a drift to get to the house next door. Considering that there was barely a lick of snow just 2 days ago, this weather is a bit TOO wacky.

Spring Hunt Activities

This is a pamphlet for activities that are happening around town today and the next two days as people prepare to leave for the big Goose Hunt. Some families have already taken off. Others you can catch them at the grocery store picking up supplies. I saw a woman today getting a large Coleman ice chest, a Thermos, 2 supersize cartons of eggs and miscellaneous items.

For families that are still here, they will likely attend this festival to mark the Goose Break. Click on it to expand the pictures and read the descriptions of the activities. I wish I could play bingo and wish it was not radio bingo! Booo!!!

Tomorrow I will go to the Gathering Place to see the camouflage contest and the cake contest. I hope I do not have to see any dead animals or carcasses.

Board Games

After dinner, we started a game of 'Last Night on Earth'. Ironically, we had to put a hold on it by 11 pm to go to sleep. I guess tomorrow will be our 'last night' instead.

So far, D. and I killed 6 zombies. We need 15 to win. Not bad! Thanks to good teamwork!

Oh! And I finally got my MacBook Air! Another staff came into town from Nemescau to run an exam workshop tomorrow so she delivered it. Still using the iPad right now as it is charging. Yippee!! Man I ordered it 2 weeks ago but now I finally have it.

History of the North

The Northern (supermarket) in Wemindiji is closing - this means the end of relationship to ties to the Northern Trading Company and Hudson's Bay Company.

Read more about it here:

http://www.nationnews.ca/index.php?option=com_zine&view=article&id=1389:wemindji-northern-store-to-close-

Catalogue Sale

We held a sale of teaching supplies in the teacher's room on Thursday and Friday. The money goes to support our programs. If you know someone who would be interested, please tell them about my charity! We have schools in Tanzania and India that also rely on this funding. As I do not openly advertise the name of our charity on my blog, feel free to message me if you are interested.

There is a lot of cool stuff! Even a $350 robotic dinosaur called Pleo.

Pottery

We had Monday off for Easter but the last three days have been great. The team here is awesome and always make me smile. We complement each other very well. Never before have I felt like I am such a great fit amongst my coworkers. We work, we eat and we play together.

School has been going well - there was a low turn-out for after school but we changed that in a matter of days. We had a big spaghetti party and yes, I fed the kids TVP again. BWAHAHAHA! Apparently I am not the only person who has pulled this stunt before. C. said she did this in another Cree community.

The Sec 4 French sector here is also tough to work with but I finally managed to work with of those students for 1.5 hours on science. Yesterday, I worked with the Sec V boys who are really sweet. The girls don't come out as much, except S., the chatty one with the 3-year-old, who came in this morning late. I was in the teachers lounge and came out when I saw her drinking a Yoplait in the foyer.

"Hey S., how are you?"

"Hungover."

Phew. I could smell the girl. She teeter around and said she had gone to a birthday party last night. D. said that another student came in reeking of weed. Yeah, this is normal stuff up here. Even in Whapmagoostui, the last day of the Whale Cup hockey tournament - Cree fly in once a year for this - the science teacher had noticed a line of students coming back into town at 6a.m. Monday morning. Needless to say, that was a quiet day.

I am tired. It's been a productive three days and ohhhh, I also submitted my last AQ assignment! Wheeeee! I just have to submit my last reflection and the teacher evaluation form. After I sent off my homework, we went back to school for pottery classes.

There is a teacher who has a full studio - an amazing collection of glazes, lots of clay - including locally-sourced yellow clay - 2 kilns (pronounced KILL) and 3 wheels! It's probably been 10 years since I have thrown but getting into it was soooo meditative, been though I am feeling exhausted. When I was in high school, I struggled with centered. I always fought against the clay but I did better today, feeling the flow of it. Even the teacher, I., said I had centered well! We all made bowls and picked out colors for glazes. I likely won't be able to get it until end of school year as I am leaving this community in a week and am not scheduled to be returning. D. will probably have to pick it up for me.

Alright, that's it for updates. This weekend, we are making a trip to Nemesca to pick up one of the work vehicles so that we can get home the following week.

Oh yeah, payday tomorrow too! Yay!

Hike

Went for a hike today. Still no laptop and yet lots of photos I want to post. And worse yet, I misplaced the USB cord that connects to the camera. ACK!

Only crappy iPad pictures for now.

Updates to come.

Waskaganish

Got into Waskag this afternoon around 2:30 pm. Two coworkers dropped me off at the James Bay while C. and J. drove me the last 100 km inland. Caught up with L. and D. on the latest gossip and how things have been here. They were excited to hear about Whapmagoostui.

Here is my current bedroom. It took me 3 hours to clean!!! It was full of dog hair and dust ICK! I had to mop the whole floor by hand.

Update from Chisasibi

Packed up, said goodbye to teachers at school and got driven to the airport by J., the principal. Ate at airport restaurant - cheese, lettuce and tomato sandwich, coleslaw, onion rings and real Tropicana juice (total $13) . Flew into Chisasibi this afternoon, napped most of the half hour flight. Perfectly clear skies and good flying weather. We only paid $420 in excess baggage, versus $560 when we first came.

Chilled at the apartment, happy to have Internet where YouTube, Facebook, Tumblr, Dropbox and Blogger are not blocked. Went to the Northern to get groceries, spent $96. Everybody and their mother were there -Easter weekend coming so no chance tomorrow. I got some chick'n nuggets and tofu! Avocados were pretty expensive so I held off. Not been eating as well the past 2 weeks as we were working 12-hour days with little free time. Looking forward to doing some proper cooking again.

Tomorrow, E. and C. are driving me to Waskaganish. I am sad to leave S. and A. Us three girls were getting along perfectly - it is hard to find coworkers that you work so well with. A. and I will be going back to Whapmagoostui after the Goose Break. It has been awesome up in Whap. Kids are lovely. The only thing that drives me crazy is inconsistent attendance. It is normally to have no one show up on a Monday morning because they were partying on the weekend. Sometimes attendance is 50%

Update on computer: Someone was suppose to bring my new MacBook Air from Collingwood to Waskag. Now departure is delayed and I won't see it until the 16th ... when my online course is already over! I was expecting to get it this weekend so I could finish the last part of my course. I was so upset when I found out about the delay I started crying at school. I just felt so frustrated, trying to do my online course with my laptop screen burning out and practically researching and calling Apple for 4 days before I could just ORDER a new computer. Yeah, whatever ... first world problems. I realize that when I have not been eating well I get more emotional. It's just part of overall mental, emotionally and physical health - it's all linked together.

Bed now. Another Travel day tomorrow.

Last Day with Students

LEGO Mindstorm

It doesn't feel like work when you sit around and help kids play with LEGO all day!

MacBook Air

Yay! After 4 days of phone calls to Apple.com, the order finally went through and is being prepped for shipping!

Stupid Firewall

Although I am blogging intermittently and publishing my posts from Dashboard, I can't actually look at my blog.

Today I fed the kids spaghetti with TVP. Nobody knew that they weren't eating meat. Hahahahaha!!!!

Sitting in the computer lab at 11 pm in the school alone, still working on an AQ assignment. Less than 2 weeks before my course is done!!!

Awesome Week (despite computer issues)

It's been a very productive week so far! Highlights of the week:

• We have been getting a steady stream of Sec IV students (Grade 10s) daily!
• T. made pizzas from scratch for us. There was a vegetarian for me too! Monday pizza night was busy and we didn't leave until after 9 pm. I actually had students do a lab with me from 7-9 pm!
• I finally got 2 Sec IV A students! The Bs have been good but we have been struggling with getting the As out. They are the older students who have repeated Grade 10, some a few times. They are more jaded and likely not going to come back to school if they fail high school another time.
• S. has been working her ass off. She had two students writing essays with her until 11:30 pm last night!
• I ran a Rocks and Mineral workshop by myself! S. led it in the morning on Tuesday with the Grade 4s and then I did it solo in the afternoon with the 5s. S. and I split it up for the Grade 6s.
• When I get serious, kids listen to me because they know I am annoyed / stern / strict. It's sort of funny that they will pay attention to me. I am better at "yelling" than A. and S. I had to "yell" at some kids for S. when they weren't listening to her during a robots workshop.
• I finally ordered a refurbished MacBook Air to Collingwood. I will meet it in Waskaganish when I head there in 2 weeks. I got a small teacher's discount!

And last but not least:

I love students shouting my name and saying hi to me everywhere I go!

I Just Wanna Computer

Frig!!

I'm trying to order the Macair and Apple doesn't ship to PO boxes!

I refuse to go to the Northern and buy a laptop there.

Worst Place for Cloud Computing

T. the team lead is leaving the team today and headed to Wemindiji. He's taking the router with him ... no more WiFi on the iPad! Argggghhhh!!!

Long but good day

Long 12-hour day.

I did programming with S. on Rocks and Minerals. Grade 4s in the mornings and then I did the Grade 5s in the afternoon on my own. And not too bad!!! L. was the teacher, she used to work for us last year and now is permanent staff here.

After school, taught a lab and some kids stayed until 8:45 pm! What a great day!

Laptop Dying

Bad news.

My Toshiba screen has fried. All you can smell is plastic burning as it boots up. It doesn't help that:

A) I require a computer for work purposes

B) I will be the new team lead after T. leaves on Tuesday

C) I am still completing my AQ and have another deadline on Friday

Yeah, this sucks. Maybe I can find a monitor and drag it home? Normally, I would be flipping out but since living up north I feel more zen when I encounter problems. I was even surprised myself that I wasn't as upset as I thought I'd normally be. Take life as it comes, no sense in wasting energy.

After a breakfast of blueberry pancakes, we had a little meeting to lay out what next week is going to look like. In the afternoon, A. and I dropped into the Northern supermarket to pick up groceries. I went to the basement and they did have 2 Acers and a Toshiba. I forgot to ask about prices since I've pretty much decided that I might be switching over to a Mac (so that syncing with the iPad will be easier). I will hold off, find out where I will be headed in a few weeks and possibly order it in. In the meantime, I will have to use the computer at the school. Therefore, this week:

• Have more premade lunches on hand
• Stick to my work schedule
• Squeeze in AQ work everyday, even if just seeing what the next task is

This will be a crazy week with additional programming running. I am helping do a Rocks and Mineral program for Grades 4,5 and 6s. Sleep is important but it may have to be sacrificed here and there. Booo... don't think I will be able to get away for volleyball on Tuesday and Thursday night (although I did get to practice some overhand serves on Saturday at the gym).

Oh yeah, I missed the Whale Cup this weekend too. Sigh.

Disconnected

Not having internet at home sucks!!!

At the university doing another AQ assignment.

Social Media

I started a Facebook account to harass, heckle, bother, annoy and pester students into showing up to our program.

(No, I will not add you.)

Poster at School

Having taught sex ed, I am a big fan of this poster. It is awesome.

"Don't be silly. Wrap your willy!"

Goose Break News

The weather is messing everything up. One of the ET staff in Waskaganish said that the principals may be pushing Goose Break back one week early.

Stinky

Had dinner in the large kitchen - someone made a big roast. Now my hair and jeans smell like caribou meat!!!!

Advertising Ourselves

Look at this poster I made today. My drawing skills haven't completely atrophied!

Plus I tracked down a lot of students and learned a ton of names too. Apparently my name sounds like the Cree word for "take [your clothes] off'."

Wow. That is awkward.

Came home and sat here for 2 hours writing work emails and updating the database. Shower, dinner and then AQ homework.

Sigh.

Map of Whapmagoostui/Kuujjuarapik

Great Whale River

Life in the North

Here is some more information about life in the north:

• Northern stores are the go-to place up here for food. The Nutrition North Canada program subsidizes nutritious and perishable food items that are delivered to 103 isolated northern communities throughout various provinces and territories. Northern has a list (PDF) of how some foods are subsidized. The government website also has a sample list (PDF) of subsidized items; some have higher subsidies (i.e. vegetarian products as tofu or vegetable-based patties) and others lower subsidies (i.e. flour, bacon* and ice-cream*)
  
  
• Roderick Rabbitskin on CBC's Eyou Dipajimoon gives updates about the Cree communities.
  
  
• There are two schools. One is in Whapmagoostui (Cree) and one is in Kuujjarapik (Inuit). I have not visited the Inuit high school yet. The entire high school population is tiny, at approximately 50 students. It is run under the Kativik School Board. Instruction is done in three languages - Inuktitut, English and French. You can read more about teaching in Nunavik (northern Quebec).
  

*I'm not sure how these item are considered 'healthy'.

Zzzzzz

I slept 11 hours last night, skipping a party and going to bed earlier. Got up with A. and made omelets and Tofurkey sausages. Snuggled back into the sleeping bag to read a bit of Catching Fire* and just now, woke up from a 3.5 hour nap.

Oops.

That's probably an indication that I need to go to bed earlier on a regular basis.

*Yes, it's better than Twilight and even this York University professor says so.

City Mouse and Country Mouse

"You don't seem like someone from Toronto," a few of my coworkers said to me.

I actually travel outside of the city and around Ontario, they pointed out. I'm more open-minded and I didn't show up with a pair of high heels tucked in my suitcase. They were shocked when I told them I knew of people - not friends of mine - who wouldn't wander north of Bloor Street. It's laughable, but when you give it a bit more thought, it is actually pretty horrifying to know that there are individuals that choose to be ignorant about the very people that live in the surrounding communities, despite claiming to be a cultured citizen of a multi-cultural city.

If you're a friend of mine and reading this blog, you probably enjoying traveling. It's actually the best way to learn about yourself. You don't realize that habits, mindsets, perspectives are specific to you and the environment that you grow up in until you leave it. And being in Quebec has given me more perspective on why other Canadians aren't necessarily the biggest fans of us Ontarians.

There's definitely a difference between how people approach life in Quebec. They embrace the winter by snowshoeing or cross-country skiing; tourists come from all over the world to experience the amazing winter festivals. Ski-doos are more common than cars. When you drive pass through these areas, you can often spot little ice-fishing huts on the lakes. While I'm not saying that these activities don't happen in Ontario, I'd be hardpressed to say that lots of people embrace the winter to the same degree.

And reflecting on how Torontonians approach the winter?

Well, there's definitely a lot of complaining. People in the city whine about the weather. Constantly. When it starts to warm up, everyone starts going bonkers and celebrating. Even I would admit I've been an active participant and having realized that, I hate myself for it. People up here, on the contrary, don't base their observations on the temperature - it's about the flow of the seasons and the natural cycle of things. I'm up next to the Hudson's Bay now and while it was 6 Celsius yesterday, you don't see people rejoicing. The average mean daytime temperature in March is suppose to be -17 Celsius. They weren't complaining about the temperature to begin with and suddenly happy that it's warm. Something is unusual and it makes people weary.

I have to go back to the point about complaining. I think about the conversations I have with people daily when I live in Toronto. It seems that no one is satisfied with anything. The weather sucks. Driving to work sucks. Commuting on the subway sucks. Going to work sucks. Being unemployed sucks. Having a part-time job sucks. Living at home sucks. House-hunting and not being able to find my perfect home sucks. Paying maintenance fees for my condo sucks. Being single and looking sucks. Being stuck with clingy boyfriend/girlfriend sucks.

Everything simply sucks.

Think about what you might have said today when you were at work, or had a beer with a friend. Did you complain?

If you did, then I'm going to give you a sad shake of the head.

What is it that makes the urban environment conducive to excessive griping? Is it the paradox of choice, as Barry Schwartz claims? Is it the pollution that's gone to our head? Or is it the high population density that just drives us batty? Why can't we be satisfied with what we've got? Cause we've got a lot of choice!

Up here life is simple. I'm not claiming it's perfect but you learn to live with what you've got. You stay in tune with your senses, the seasons and the people around you. You make the best of what you have. It's a different environment up here. People are more realistic in their approach to life and simply live it, instead of complaining about it.

At the same time, most of the highly motivated students I've seen are also those who have lived in the city and moved around a lot. They are more outspoken, carry themselves differently and are often more insightful. It's the fact that they experience a lot - and experience what may be different and new - that makes them more open-minded. I feel that living both worlds keep our expectations of ourselves and those around us healthy*.

So shut up and stop complaining.

*Maybe this is why camping is so refreshing to us city folk.

Hudson's Bay

Awesome day.

After school, dropped into the regional science fair. Students from all over the Cree School Board came. Saw one of the two science teachers, C., I was working with just a week ago. He came up with two Sec 3 students, who did a project on solar panels. Unfortunately, in Waswanipi there were no Sec 4s or Sec 5s that did projects from all over. There were some pretty amazing projects and I even got a presentation in French (and interacted a little bit in French). The fair was suppose to go from 4-6 pm but the judges didn't even finish until 7:30 pm!!!

After that walked over to the gym. I snapped this one because the light over the bay was beautiful. I will need to go by and sit in on a sunset sometime (damn wish I had a tripod). Too bad Dave is not here with me he would love it.

Here I am at the gym. It is on the Inuit side (so even Cree have to come here to use the gym) and I played in the volleyball tournament that the Youth Fusion team had set up. I was happy to play a little - most of the ones that came were Inuit. The sports here are intense. The gym is full of people and busy busy busy. These kids are AMAZING at sports because they work hard and train. I met lots of little kids and learned lots of clapping games. I gave out stickers to 10 different kids (originally I wanted to give to one but then they all swarmed me). There were some pretty cute kids that I just wanted to pick up and take home with me.

Walked back and got lost a little bit but it is so safe here. There are always people around, whether zipping in Ski-doos or just wandering through the street. And the lights .... the northern lights are going crazy tonight! Absolutely stunning. Green flickering all across the sky.

Photos don't do it justice, you just have to come up and see it. I think at least once, every Canadian should come up and be up in the north.

Whapmagoostui

Last night, we stayed in Chisasibi. In the morning, I did a drop-off/pick-up of equipment at the high school and then jetted to the airport for our flight at noon. Between the three of us women, we had 880 pounds of check-in luggage. Since we're only allowed 30 pounds check-in each, the excess ended up costing an additional $580. I swear, we had about 16 boxes and suitcases. Here I am getting on the Air Creebec plane. Yaaaay!!!

This sounds stupid but I am very VERY proud that I can say 'bonjour' and 'merci' with an accurate Quebecois accent that the stewardess thought I was Francophone. When she asked me what I wanted - northern Quebecois accent is thick and I don't know what she even said - plus I forgot how to say 'ginger ale' I had to switch back to English. It was nice to sit on the plane and not do ANYTHING for 35 minutes!!

Moving between place to place is hard work*. We've been on the road off and on 5 days now - having left Waswanipi on Saturday, to Rouyn, then to Waskaganish to drop off other staff and FINALLY in Whapmagoostui (wah-MASH-to), our final destination.



Here, A. is guarding our stuff at Whapmagooshui:

T., who is another staff, had arrived 2 days earlier. He took us to the school and we met some teachers, got ourselves sorted and had a mini meeting. At the end of the day, we got introduced to everyone at a teacher's meeting. Mostly the school is supportive but there is one person causing a big pain for us. I cannot publicly go into details about this.

After work, we walked to the Northern Supermarket on the Inuit side. Whapmagoostui is half Inuit and half Cree. They don't like each other as the Cree wanted to be part of the deal with Hydro Quebec. The Inuit voted against it. Whapmagoostui is the one Cree community that has, therefore, lost the opportunity to get funding (i.e. $) from Hydro Quebec. The other Cree communities ended up having schools built by Hydro Quebec and they are nice schools. This school board is probably one of the richest ones.

Anyway, there are lots of food choices at the Northern. There's even tofu! It's nearly $3 though. A. and I shared milk, eggs and a block of butter ($7.99). I think Reese's Peanut Butter Cups are $2.05 for three. Actually everything is not as horribly expensive as I had expected. We walked back and a dog followed us. T. said not to pet them because there is a rabies epidemic here right now and you can't tell which has rabies and which does not.

We didn't get back and unpack until 7 pm. I ate a giant bowl of pasta with some premade pesto and devoured my poor asparagus which I've been carting around since SATURDAY (from supermarket to car to hotel fridge bar to car to fridge to car to ... you get the idea). Man I took a plethora of food up - a suitcase full and a cardboard box. I even have daikon, beets, kai lan, tempeh, two bags of Daiya and a giant box of salad, two bottles of Kraft salad dressing. T. said that almond milk is popular here since it is portable and doesn't have to be fridged. I am so happy but I haven't been able to find it yet. For now I'm drinking milk with my expensive Quebecois granola. I don't like drinking milk but I got sick of eating yogurt with it. I can't wait to find almond milk again!! I hate milk!!!!

I'm not exhausted, just glad to be sitting. It's actually nice that it's a little bit of a workout to move stuff around (bruises suck though). Now I am sleeping at a research centre owned by University of Laval. I get my own room with 2 sets of bunk beds. This is only for 2 days as we wait for another bed to be moved to an actual house. Man we've been moving for 5 days - I don't want to move anymore!!! I have to repack all my food ...

Internet here is slow so I really can't upload very many photos. It took me 10 minutes to do 2!! Keeping a blog is also work. As I settle in more I can slowly catch up on phone calls. It's too hard moving so much right now for me to call anyone. I'm glad that at least I got to talk to my grandma for 45 minutes last week as I had not called her in 3 weeks.

OK drink some water, lotion all my dry skin and bed.


*As I was going to take a shower tonight, I noticed that I had accumulated a lot of bruises. There were a few on my knees and a few long bruises on my shoulder.