Arctic Fox: Rabies Alert

The Nunatsiaq News Online (http://www.nunatsiaqonline.ca/) keeps me informed about Nunavut news and northern perspectives on issues.  It has been particularly interesting during the recent federal election.  Internet speeds are very slow in Nunavut.  So slow, in fact, that streaming is problematic; consequently, Nunavummiut were not able to view any of the online Federal election debates during the election. Now that's democracy in action :)

But here is the real story I wanted to share with you today.  Below is a photo of an Arctic Fox that appeared on the front page of the Nunatsiaq News this morning.  The caption reads: "A perennial favourite among northern photographers: the Arctic Fox.  This one, spotted at the Cambridge Bay dump Oct. 9, is shedding its summer brown fur and patchy tufts of winter white are beginning to show through.  Though there have been an increase in fox sightings lately in the western Nunavut's largest town, there has been no corresponding increase in reports of rabies.  But hamlet officials remain concerned.  Dog owners can get their animals vaccinated against rabies rhrough the hamlet bylaw office or through Diamonds in the Ruff.  Officials are also asking that children abide by a curfew for Halloween by ending their trick-or-treating by 8 p.m. (Photo by Denise Lebleu Images)"  Happy Hallowe'en!

Frost Flowers

I was just checking out the Nunavut online newspaper the NunatsiaqOnline and found this lovely photo of something I have never seen before: Frost Flowers.

According to the paper, "A field of tiny frost flowers grows on the thin ice in Cambridge Bay Oct. 13. For frost flowers to grow, you need a minimum temperature difference of 15 degrees C between the ice surface and the air. Under bright sun and little wind, temperatures in this western Nunavut town ranged between -12 C and -16 C on Oct. 13. (Photo by Jane George)."

Hockey Season is here!

It's Thanksgiving Monday and my wee turkey is in the oven. The sun is so bright today, and I have just gone out for a walk to the little lake next to my place.  There I found a group of kids playing hockey. Only one has a stick, but that hasn't stopped them from moving the puck around. I am missing my Canucks, but I hear they beat Calgary this week, so it sounds like they are off to a good start.

Between the GN building and the lake is a row of "sea cans," as they are called here, storing a variety of supplies. It is common to see sea containers as storage containers throughout the north whereever supply ships can reach.

This photo doesn't do it justice, but the snow here is so dry, it sparkles like diamonds.

The little brook that I walk by on my way to work is now freezing over. I will miss its gentle sound...

The perseverance award goes to this boy for riding his bike up this hill with a slippery, snowy surface!

Snow has arrived!

It is Thanksgiving weekend and the sun is out shining brightly on the fresh snow.  We have had snow off and on for a while now, but it seems like it is here to stay now.  Here are a few photos from my walk today. For those curious about food prices in the north, this week I bought a wee turkey from the Northern store for $30, a can of cranberries for $4.59,  a 5 pound bag of potatoes for $6.89, frozen peas for $4.59.  Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

 The satellite dishes which remind of the new Shaw Direct satellite dish I have sitting my living room.  I assembled it  this week, but am still unable to find anyone to install it for me!  I was hoping to have it up and running by election night. Shaw does not have anyone authorized in town to install, so I have to ask around for someone who might do it.

The walk down the hill to the downtown area and where I work.

A look back at my townhouse complex behind the blue GN building. The arena is to the left. The name for this mountain is also the name of my neighbourhood. Any guesses on the name?  Hint: It is named a piece of human anatomy :)

The sunrise taken from my front porch a few days ago.                                                      

The same sunrise a few minutes later..

Cape Dorset Plant Life

Today, it is snowing with a mix of rain and wind speeds are expected to be up to 90 km/hr! I have been warned to watch for flying debris as I walk home today after work.  I hope the wind is at my back, so it pushes me up the hill!  I shall keep my eyes peeled for flying boards or ATV's!  Last week while out on a walk, I photgraphed the variety of low-growing plants I found growing so close to the ground.  I don't remember the names of these plants, but my co-worker took me out on a short walk and told me which ones were edible.

The Dorset Island is very rocky with very little "soil," so the plants cling to the surface.

Wild low-growing blueberries grow here, but they did not produce a crop this summer to much disappointment.

The view looking towards "the valley" area of Cape Dorset on a beautiful sunny day.

Scenes from Cape Dorset

I work in a modern learning centre with four classroom, including a PC lab.  During the summer the windows are boarded up to protect the windows while the centre is not in use.

Community Learning Centre: Arctic College

The Centre is located right next to the high school.  Here is photo of the school taken a few days before it burned down. If you look to the right, you will see the low, blue building where I work.

Peter Pitseolak High School

I live in a 3-bed townhouse right at the edge of town on the top of a long hill.  This makes for a great walk to work, and a great workout on the way home! Houses here are built on stilts set into the permafrost.  What looks like a basement is actually a crawl space where the stilts and piping, etc are located.  

My place with its 14 steps up the front door.

My view out my back window is often of this fellow doing his carving.  Cape Dorset is known around the world for its fine carving and print work.  Something like 24% of the population makes its living as artists.

I can't end my post without a few more view shots! Here is a shot of the bay where the polar bear came into town.  You can see the blue and red  high school building in the centre right.  That is near the downtown area.

The bay at low tide. 

Here is a fishboat in the bay.

At Home in Cape Dorset

I have been in Cape Dorset for two weeks now, and during this time I have experienced the thrills of starting afresh in a new community, but also the lows of watching the only high school in town burn down.

My view as I walk to work each morning in Cape Dorset.

Everyone is so friendly, and I am enjoying the beautiful arctic char fish and fresh air.  Temperatures are getting cooler each morning. Today is was 2 degrees C when I walked to the college this morning.  There are some vehicles in town-4 wheel drive trucks for work use, mostly - but many people get around by ATV, or on foot.  Everything is walkable.

The sunsets are gorgeous.

Last weekend, the high school burned down, and it has been devastating to the community.  It was a beautiful school recently renovated.  I was at the graduation ceremony the night before the fire and was so impressed with the speeches, decorations and celebratory feeling of the event. It will be a challenge to replace given the difficulty in getting building supplies here.

The high school burning