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

Sunday off in Iqaluit

An aging Komatik (sled) in front of a new building

I have met some very friendly people in Iqaluit!  While I was waiting in the airport for a ride to my hotel, standing with my mountain of luggage (1 suitcase, 6 large Rubbermaid totes, 1 backpack and a carryon!)  looking very much like the new person in town, a Newfy fellow came up to me with outstretched hand saying, “I see you’re from Victoria. Welcome to Iqaluit. You’re going to love it here. Good luck!”  (My initials and town are plastered on the totes…)

I wasn’t sure what to expect on a Sunday in Iqaluit.  Will the shops be closed? Will everyone be sleeping in?  I went out walking to find out and quickly discovered that most shops are open 7 days a week. Government offices and banks are closed, which isn’t a surprise, but the retail and food shops, and the museum are open. 

Healthy foods are subsidized through a program called “Nutrition North Canada” while non-healthy food is sold at full price.  The subsidy helps reduce the expensive cost of shipping.  Everything must be flown in, or shipped in during the very brief summer shipping season when the sea ice is melted.

I couldn’t resist walking along the beach of Frobisher Bay and dipping my hand into the water.  Yes, the water is very cold!  The mini icebergs are a bit of a hint. :)

The Internet is very slow here. I wish I could upload more photos…I will have to leave today with this photo of a local park. The parks here are sculpted with rock and stone, and this one is filled with a lovely collection of public art.

Iqaluit Arrival

After overnighting in Ottawa, I arrived in Iqaluit, the capital of Nunavut, late Saturday afternoon after enjoying a full service flight on Canadian North airline. I will be in Iqaluit for a week before moving on to Cape Dorset. Interestingly, the plane held 50% passengers and 50% cargo. I found my way to the Frobisher Inn hotel and dined on my first caribou burger with a pint. It was tasty--a bit like bison--very lean. I went for a walk as dusk was falling and took the photo above looking down on Frobisher Bay from my hotel on the hill. There are a few small icebergs in the bay blown in by the wind. There is a nip in the air and it feels like a cool December Victoria day.

The high school at dusk

Overlooking a church. As we are above the tree line, native plant life is very low-growing. The effect is quite breathtaking and one can see for miles...

Getting Ready...

I will be flying up to Iqaluit, Nunavut at the end of August to start my new teaching position at Nunavut Arctic College in Cape Dorset where I will be an instructor in the Nunavut Teacher Education Program. Cape Dorset (in Inuktitut it is  Kinngait ᑭᙵᐃᑦ which means "high mountains") can be found on a small island just off the southern tip of Baffin Island.  (If you are still looking, find Hudson's Bay and look northeasterly and you will find it.)

Ironically I have been running around Victoria during the hottest heat wave we have had in BC for years purchasing a wide array of winter gear for my time in Nunavut, but have amazingly found almost everything I need: a Canada Goose Expedition Arctic Series Parka, killer Baffin snow boots (rated to -70 degrees C), mitts, toques, woollen socks, and base layers...everything I need.  Thank you Capital Iron and Robinson's!  I remain in pursuit of the rather illusive balaclava, however, but I remain optimistic!

I have rented out my home to a nice couple and have had some of my belongings shipped to Cape Dorset already, as it will take some time for them to arrive.  Everything is flown in, as there are no roads in or out of Nunavut. The only access is by airplane and/or seasonal ships or barges.

The countdown begins. I can't wait.... :)