Traditional games pt.3: The airplane

Can you do this difficult stunt?

Lie face down, with arms outstretched and legs together. Then, get three friends to carry you forwards. (You are not allowed to touch the floor, so you need strong arms and shoulders.)

Ambulance in Tsiigehtchic

It's a 114km drive from Tsiigehtchic to Inuvik Regional Hospital, so I am guessing something serious was happening here.

Inuvik's welcome sign

If you've driven up the Dempster Highway, odds are you're happy to see this sign.

The R.C

Everyone in Tsiigehtchic calls the old Roman Catholic church "The R.C. Church."

This teacher went from Toronto (pop.4 million) to Tsiigehthic (pop.150)

Isn't Canada an amazingly diverse country? It's strange to think that Tsiigehtchic and Toronto are are both represented by the same parliament.

Respecting the elders

This display at Tsiigehtchic's Chief Paul Niditchie School is a really nice gesture. It recognizes all the elders in the community.

A view from Tsiigehtchic

Looks like this raven is also the town traffic cop.

I am assuming the red logo was the bullseye

Kind of a funny image: The CBC sign between Inuvik and Tsiigehtchic is riddled with bullet holes.

Dark skies in the morning

There are so many colours in the sky here. It's really fascinating to see it change. (These photos taken around 8:30am)

That's my stuff!

From Mangilaluk school in Tuktoyaktuk: This board illustrates the best quality of newspapers, which is "clip-a-bility!"

What's cooking, Lindsay?

Here's something about the north: It's harder to be vegetarian!
(Unless you like canned vegetables.)

Road hockey in Tuk

Traditional games pt.2: The "sledge jump"

Here's another game that's easy to set up: The Sledge Jump.

Take 20 chairs, tape ribbons between them, and then ask people to leap over. The rules are:

1.You cannot touch the ribbons
2.You cannot bounce twice, or stop midway.
3.Both feet must land together.
3.Once you reach the end, you have 5 seconds to turn around and keep going.

Contestants keep bouncing back and forth and the winner is the person who does the most jumps before making an error or stopping.

(Note: the real traditional game is not played with chairs, but caribou skin barriers, I believe.)

Views from Tuktoyaktuk, pt.3

As you can see, there are many unique buildings in Tuktoyaktuk. (Interesting rounded house, eh? Is that a silo or hangar construction?)

Tuktoyaktuk bingo radio

The CFTC radio station in Tuk reads bingo numbers over the air.
It's a very small place.

What lovely suits

Here are two members of the Tuktoyaktuk Drummers and Dancers, who perform traditional Inuvialuit dances at town hall meetings and other events.

The "drum parkas" are home made.

Drag race

Here's Loren from CBC driving alongside a dog sled in Aklavik. It was part of a "tracking shot" on video, which I hear turned out well.

Lamest pun ever: Shouldn't it be called "doggie lane"? (Ooh.)

Traditional games: Everyone should try this!

Traditional games are awesome, and more people should play them. I think they would be perfect for scout camps, gym classes, etc.

Here's an example called the "swing kick." The rules are simple: You tie a belt above your knees -- keeping your legs together -- and then try to kick a dangling target with both feet. The highest kicker wins, and it's difficult because you have to raise yourself on your arms in a really awkward way, because your backside can't touch the floor.

All you need is a belt! This is a really fun party game.

Hey, wait a minute...is that a polar bear skin?

Here are some interesting buildings in Tuktoyaktuk. Notice how pelts are being dried on the second one. Interestingly large and white pelts.

Could this be the shed of a polar bear hunter?

A new feature (click to enlarge)

It's the equinox

Good news! The March equinox means sunlight is now dominant in the NWT. It's bright early in the morning and the sun stays until 9pm or later.

Some people are already covering their windows, (as shown), in preparation for that 24-hour sunlight.

Interesting building from Tuktoyaktuk

Why all the angles? Is this stronger than a cylinder?

Canada's Northern coast

Here is a scene from Tuktoyaktuk, with the Beaufort Sea to the left.
It must be scenic in the summer, but I've never been. (On account of it being accessible only by plane when the ice roads thaw.)

Bonhomme d'Hiver

This little dangling craft was in the rental car. Can you see how it forms a benevolent-looking mustachioed man, of sorts? This guy is pretty cool.

It's actually quite beautiful, really..

If the NWT wants to boost tourism, we might consider changing some names.

Who wants to visit a place called Rat River?!

Block building, round snowflakes

An interesting geometric building from downtown.

Choose your vehicle

Tuktoyaktuk's roads are covered in snow, so people use snowmobiles for regular errands. It's not a recreational vehicle so much as a regular mode of transport.

People even ride them in the middle of the street, like cars.

Whole lotta Nevadas

Tuktoyaktuk has about 1100 people, but it goes through a box of 5000 lottery tickets a week, said one cashier at the radio station.

Yes, that's 5000 per week.

They sell for $1 each.

The hunt continues (just kidding)

A scene from Tuktoyaktuk: I am not sure why this five-year-old was chasing a dog with a stick.
(Note: Nobody hit the dog, it just looks this way in the picture.)

Another view of the dome

Tough birds on the corner, pt.3

A scene from Aklavik: This dog tried to chase a group of ravens, but one didn't fly away. He stood there, defiantly, and the dog had no choice but to walk away humiliated.

Tough birds, those ravens.

Face of the north

Lots of fur

It's cold outside these days but I am prepared, thanks to muskrat, rabbit and coyote fur. (And, maybe I look a little serious too, but as I said, it's cold. :)

Taxidermied birds

Here are some weird stuffed birds, from the Aurora College research institute.

Check out those song titles

Former Premier of the NWT, Stephen Kakfwi, has transformed into a popular country singer and conservation activist in recent years.

Does anyone think Ontario's Ernie Eves or Mike Harris might do the same? :)

Merci beaucoup!

Hey, mom and dad, thanks for the sweater you sent in the mail!

Tuktoyaktuk hovercraft

Here's something cool: At a recent science fair, some Tuktoyaktuk kids built a working hovercraft from plywood, duct tape, and a shower curtain.

They took rides in the lobby, and power was supplied by a shop-vac engine. Hilarious and crafty.

Mixed media

I am not the only journalist around here!

Here are reporters from CBC and ICS.

Interesting link for photographers, or anyone

I know this is a little off-topic, but check out this amazing and free application:

http://homokaasu.org/rasterbator/

It creates a free poster from any photo, which you print out on your computer in separate pages. Any image works, because it uses a dot pattern technique similar to newsprint.

A good way to enjoy photos, northern or otherwise!

Good times at the Gwich'in Cup

Hockey pictures are interesting, but I like photos of hockey audiences.

Picasso kids

After-school activity: Give kids coloured water and paintbrushes, and let them be creative outdoors.

Random homes from around town

What is news? Anything people talk about!

Tough birds on the corner, pt.2

Ravens are smart, I tell you. Always thinking. Very interesting birds.

Check out Macleans + Canadian Geographic

This supplement ad was paid for by the NWT government, to be distributed across Canada in several magazines. It proclaims the north to be

1. A nice place to live
2. The next big thing
3. A great place to invest.

Since I agree with all three statements, I now present this list.

Ideas for businesses that *might* work in Inuvik.

1. Laundromat
2. One-screen movie theatre
3. 24/hour cigarette store (I am not kidding)
4. Pancake house (because we have restaurants, but something like Denny's would clean up)
5. Fresh fish counter (because people here eat a lot of fish, but you can't buy it fresh unless you know someone. So this would sell local varieties, only legally.)
6. Marks' Work Wearhouse style store, which would sell work shirts and jeans and wool socks, nothing fancy. (ie: all the clothing -- all of it -- at Northmart seems to have "Extreme BMX" written on it, or "American Chopper" or some nonsense.)
7. Pawn shop! (Because a lot of people are transient and don't want to ship everything when they leave. )

If you lie down with dogs, you get up with great footage

Here's Steph Weimar from Inuvialuit Communications Society getting some video at the Aklavik dog race March 11.

Personally, I would be too afraid of the dogs trampling me/eating me alive to go this close, and rely on the magic of the zoom lens.

Huuuuge mittens

If you're going to be driving a dogsled at -35 below for 13km, you have to dress up!

Mon pays ce n'est pas un pays, c'est l'hiver

Inuvik has a francophone association, which hosts monthly lunches and occasional stuff like movies and Cabane a Sucres. (Maple syrup tasting, in the woods)

Check out the ceinture flechee on the Inukshuk, and also the "Franco-Tenois" flag whcih represents francophones in the NWT.

Neat little gadget

As Dez drives a rental truck, the on-board thermometer says -35 celcius.

This picture is the new "baby with sunglasses"

Ever seen a three-year old girl drive a dog sled? Well now you have.

I don't like posting these, but it's got to be done.

I know this is controversial, but let me say this: I have seen two dog races, and both times dogs have been injured. What does this mean? Maybe it's a statistical fluke, but maybe it means dog racing is a rough sport where good-natured animals occasionally get their teeth knocked out.

The photos don't lie!

Yes, people still make tipis

This is a scene from Aklavik. Notice the boat!

The Blueberry Patch

This is the Aurora College housing in Inuvik, commonly called the Blueberry Patch.

It is student housing but many families live there. (And sorry about the picture quality, I took it through a car window.)

It's called the what?

As a Southerner, I was under the impression that 'Eskimo' was impolite, borderline racist and not used.

Yet, in Inuvik, we have an Eskimo hotel, and Beaver Tails are called Eskimo donuts. I guess both have been around so long it's become accepted, or quaint.

Wierd and rough-looking, but friendly

Another dog picture; this one was walking around Aklavik. Look at his crazy eyes!

View from the dog races, pt.1

Race dogs wait to be released from their truck-cages in Aklavik, March 11.

What's up with Blogger??

I have been unable to upload photos for the past four days. We'll see happens later this week!

Statue outside the Inuvik visitors' centre

Oh no --- I have become the kind of guy who takes a picture of a dissatisfactory piece of fruit, and then blogs about it.

Dear North Mart: Can I just once buy a banana that doesn't look like it was used in gladitorial combat??

Maybe I'm getting too picky, considering these probably come from South America.

Views from the Youth Centre, pt.2

A game of Monopoly in progress.

Lesson of the Youth Centre: If it can be climbed, it will be climbed.

This bucket catches leaks from a pipe. It's a charitable organization, after all.

A reminder to kids about language and sensitivity. Another sign warns against being drunk or high.

The aquarium has two bug-eyed fish; survivors of a garage sale, I believe.

"Can you take our picture?" is a common request.

This kid is reading a website called Gunmaster Onslaught. Who thought computers were educational, anyways?

It's the 1st BBQ of the YEAR!

If that isn't a sign of spring/summer, I don't know what is. (Pencils are mine, by the way, the legion's flyer was originally more subdued.)

Lack of blood donation

Here's one unfortunate aspect of life in Inuvik. Despite a full-size hospital with doctors and an operating room, there are no facilities to donate blood.

When some is needed, it's apparently shipped from down south, or presumably Yellowknife.

Unfortunately, explained a nurse, they would have to ship the blood out for screening and it's just not worth it.

"Just press the silver button!"

Whenever I stop by the Youth Centre, children will crowd around me and shout for:

a) A picture of them in the paper
b) The chance to take a picture using my camera

Here's one that a 8 year-old took of me, as I was explaining how the flash works.

Two pieces of "art"

There are two frames in the Drum office.
One is an animal painting and the other is an Ikea image.

A regular view of downtown

This is Inuvik's main street, and probably it's most developed.

The billboard on the upper left is a re-telling of the Mad Trapper story, complete with a map of the RCMP chase.

Skateboarding in the north

I found my longboard in a closet last week, and I think I'll repaint the underside as a hobby.
It's got me thinking about skateboarding in Inuvik.

Pros:
-24-hour sunlight
-There is a skatepark
-Some nice hills/roads
-Low traffic + pretty much no chance of getting a "loitering" ticket
-Small town, means everything is within skateboarding distance

Cons:
-Gravel everywhere in summer
-See above picture: (winter 8 months of year)
-No large parking lots/smooth places
-Some dirt roads and plenty of fine grit, which clogs bearings.

Still, I look forward to trying it again...

Boats on the ice road

These colourful boats are near the ice road. They really pop out in the landscape.

It's cold at the arena.

Ice fog at 9am

For the past few weeks, the sun has been out before 9am. This means it illuminates my walk to work, which is a nice change!

When it gets really cold, there is "ice fog," pictured here.

Long nights at the dispatch

It's 12:54am, and I have just returned from my last interview of the day, at the Inuvik cab dispatch office.

It might seem quiet, but the phone are ringing off the hook almost all night.

It's like Star Wars, only with animals

There's a lot of white animals on the NWT phone book.

It's a pretty skillful painting, too.

"Can you send me a photo by e-mail?"

Most of my work is done by telephone, since I cover seven communities in the Beaufort Delta.

Tuktoyaktuk, Aklavik, Tsiigehtchic and Fort McPherson are now accessible by car, but this will change once the ice roads thaw. (Then, it's back to McPherson and Tsiigehtchic only)

I might write about Sachs Harbour, Paulatuk and Ulukhaktok, but I've never actually been there.

It's an interesting setup for journalism, which combines stable office work (which I like) and a weekly road trip (which I also like).

Of course, I would love to go spend a month in those places and get to know them.

Atari presents: The Hercules C-130

Here's Lt-Col Drew Artus, Chief of Staff of Canada's Joint Task Force North, enjoying a game of Galaga at the local video-game arcade.

Wait no! That's the radar screen on a Hercules search and rescue aircraft!

What's the point of the Oscars?

Almost none of the films have reached Inuvik yet!

Summer leftovers, pt.6

Here's another scenic view from Tsiigehtchic, just so people don't think I've gone crazy after the last post. :)