A "Day on the Land"......And in Chinatown?

In Iqaluit it is important for modern schools to acknowledge the Inuit way of life.  The goal isn't simply to set up a regular school and hope Inuit conform to a "qallunaat" (white people) lifestyle, but rather to prove that education doesn't need to come at the expense of losing one's culture. Toward this aim, every year, at least twice a year, Joamie Elementary School spends a "day on the land".  Going out "on the land" simply means heading out onto the tundra: to hunt, fish, play, gather, whatever. It means getting out of the rat race that is "big city living" here in Iqaluit. (Yes, I say "big city" with tongue planted firmly in cheek.) 

The call for volunteers to assist with escorting 300+ students onto "the land" came out a couple of weeks before the trip. Volunteers were needed to bring their own snowmobiles and qamutiiks (sleds pulled by snowmobiles or sled dogs) to meet the buses at a prearranged location.  (It isn't considered going out on the land if you can just drive a bus there.) 

Transported out "on the land" via qamutiik.

Buses left the school promptly at 9am, delivering children in shifts (older children went first as their tolerance for cold is much higher so they can last longer).  When the first load of children arrived, as many as would fit snuggled into qamutiiks to be driven along the frozen tundra to Mount Doom (which is, yes, a real place). The snowmobile drivers drove back and forth dropping off and loading up children, until all were safely in the middle of nowhere.

Overlooking the temporary tent city at the base of the mountain.

Once everyone had arrived they set up camp with various tents. The children played games, went sledding, ate caribou stew, etc. There was no formal "learning" that happened, this was a day to simply embrace the arctic wilderness.

Staff staying warm in a polar bear hide.

A "warm up" tent.

Base of Mount Doom.

Halfway through the day everyone warmed up with caribou stew and
fresh bannock.

Don't forget, those bumps on the hill are not trees or shrubs (which don't survive up here). All those
dark dots are people.

Kiddos warming up inside.

All the photos above were taken by various parents, teachers, and volunteers. I don't have any pics yet of Captain Jack, who said he enjoyed the day. His face has "tundra tan"--his cheeks and chin are a nice dark brown, but his forehead, which was covered by his hat, is still pale.  

Coraline and I, in complete contrast to a day in the frozen wilderness, had already headed off to Ottawa.  The big city (for real this time!) was a complete contrast to life in Iqaluit.  For one thing, it was warm. There was almost no snow left on the ground at all.  Also, the grass was green.  Green grass!  Its been so long!

Overlooking the parliament buildings in downtown Ottawa.

We spent three days shopping at the Rideau Centre, exploring Chinatown, and taking in "Stars on Ice".  Highlights of the trip included eating at McDonald's, eating at A&W, eating at the LoneStar restaurant (chicken chimichanga, baby!), eating room service while watching pay-per-view movies in our hotel room, and using up all the unlimited internet we could get our hands on.  I downloaded four TV seasons, and about six movies. 

A highlight of our trip for Coraline was walking around Chinatown.

And of course, watching Elvis Stojko, Tessa Virtue,
Scott Moir, and Patrick Chan.

We made it back just in time for Coraline's fiddle concert.  This was the last fiddle concert of the year. I'm not sure if I've explained this music group before, but here is how it works:  A dedicated group of volunteers run a fantastic program for local kids.  For $100, students are provided with instruments (violins or accordions) and an entire year's worth of lessons. They learn in groups (there is a beginner group, intermediate, and advanced), and perform several times throughout the year.  Every summer for a week there is a free (yes, completely free, including use of instruments) music camp for anyone who wants to sign up. (To see last summer's post when Coraline and Jack attended, click here.) In December the music society won Canada's Volunteer Award, which included a $5000 grant from the federal government. 

I'm not sure why fiddle and accordion have become absorbed into Inuit culture.  Rumour has it the instruments and style of music came over initially with European whalers, and the people here enjoyed it so much that it has become ubiquitous at Inuit gatherings.

In lieu of programs, two large signs were posted
listing the order of performances.

Coraline had been rehearsing for weeks, and
sounded great.

One of the great things we will be taking home with us from our trip is Coraline's newfound love of fiddle.  We have already lined up a fiddle instructor in Thunder Bay, and hope to have lessons underway in August.

Peace out, yo.

Well, that's it from our end of the world for now.  As most of the northern hemisphere is thawing out, we continue to have lots of snow and cold days.  Hockey and figure skating seasons have come to an end, but the cold outside hasn't, so the kids are starting cross-country ski lessons this weekend. 

Up next: Stayed tuned to hear more about "spring" in Nunavut!