Say Yes to the Dress

One of the big things to decide will be the dress. It’s not going to be a traditional gown. Several options have played though my mind. I want it to be a meaningful decision.

I love thrift stores and have seen a few options that would require some tailoring.  A gorgeous $16 beaded treasure for one but two strands of bedding have come loose.  Love looking at dresses online and trying to find just the right look.

I love steampunk and have looked at options there. A futuristic sci-fi look. I found a lovely ribbon skirt.  Still searching and the jury is still out but found this cool article today of celebrity weddings and non-traditional dresses. 

https://brightside.me/wonder-people/10-celebrity-brides-who-ditched-traditional-white-dresses-and-went-for-something-extraordinary-803501/?utm_source=tsp_pages&utm_medium=fb_organic&utm_campaign=fb_gr_brightside&fbclid=IwAR16FUfK9fFgLRTfTbJrgZkcbLPcZQi4N8uqKbDVYeoZBcwTh5B8z80771g

The Wedding Planner

 It’s been a long time.  Lived in Fort Simpson from 2012 to 2019.  Currently in Yellowknife and met Darcy.  Our first date was at Tim Hortons.  Talked for hours until they kicked us out.  They mopped the floors and lifted the chairs up on the tables.  We talked until they closed up shop.  I hadn’t transferred to Yellowknife yet but the job transfer came soon after.

Next steps are the wedding plans. Picked a place in Northern, Ontario for the family to hang out for a vacay and well why not? Seems like the best thing for a secluded wedding in COVID times.  Thinking August 2023. 

The first step is the ring.  Waiting for the custom order with a turtle and eagle Haida design. I am the turtle and he is the eagle.  The tree of life grows out of the back of the turtle and the eagle sits in the tree watching to guard and keep the peace.  

https://www.davidneelstudio.com/dn_a_images/products/04161-Eagle-White-Gold---Diamond-Ring-David-Neel.webp

How to Draw a Bunny

20 degrees and partly cloudy in Fort Simpson today.
Sunrise at 4:59 am and sunset at 11:22 pm. 

Here are some of the crafts I have made since I have come up North.  I did a workshop making rabbit mittens and worked on the flannel rag quilt with the girls in the prenatal program in Tsiigehtchic.  I made the necklace and earings at the Open Sky Festival in Fort Simpson on Canada Day weekend.

Are We There Yet?

16 degrees and overcast in Fort Simpson today.
Open Sky Festival and Canada Day this weekend!

Started a new job in Fort Simpson on June 13, 2012.  Pics of the drive from Tsiigehtchic are on my Flickr account.  I drove with my aunt from Tsiigehtchic to Edmonton and I continued on by myself from Edmonton to Fort Simpson.  There was a road closure that kept us locked in Whitehorse an extra night.  Someone in Whitehorse also stole my license plate.  A new license plate for NWT has come out and the older ones are being stolen as collector items.  They are only 40.00 on EBAY.  Really how annoying for someone to do be out there doing that. 

Charlie got to see the vet and is doing better with some pain medication.  It was difficult finding a place to rent with the dogs but I found an apartment in the house of a really great couple.  The Magic Bus is in a lovely new place.

 Drin Gwiinzii

You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown

8 degrees with a few clouds in Tsiigehtchic today.
Sunrise at 3:21 and Sunset at 2:41.

The land of the Midnight Sun! 

 

The ice has not yet moved down the river.  It seems that that is where I am going when the ice decides to melt it's way home.

 

I officially accepted a job offer in Fort Simpson, NT.  I leave June 09, 2012 for the long drive but it won't be near as long as the drive from Ontario.  My aunt is going to fly up and ride the journey with me.  Thanks!  Love you!

 

There have been a lot of happenings over ice break up here.  Carnival, feasts, games nights, sewing nights and BINGO.  I have not played BINGO in awhile.  Know your limit, play within it! 

 

I did get home on March to put my things in storage for another year in the NT.  It was difficult to get around without a car and there was a lot of work to do in such a short time.  I hope to be home in August and December to connect with the people I missed.  With the ability to drive to Edmonton perhaps the way home will not be as expensive.

 

I made rabbit fur mitts and a flannel rag quilt during weekly sewing nights.  Not sure if that will add the right ingredients to my professional resume but it was really fun to learn...:)

 

Charlie my Jack Russel Terrier is having a hard time physically as he ages.  It will be good to have better access to veterinary care.  The young and the old Charlie Brown. 

 

 

Drin Gwiinzii

 

 

 

Green Zone

-16 with a few clouds in Tsiigehtchic today.
Sunrise at 10:32 and Sunset at 17:45. 7 hours and 13 minutes of sunlight!

The sun is back!  The darkest days through the winter still had about 3 hours of sunlight. 

Although the sun did not officially rise and set there was still light for part of the day. 

I have completed a year up North.  My contract was not renewed and the community is in negotations with the governemnt about health and social services to the hamlet.

I was hired by the community to oversee the Brighter Futures programming but it is only part-time so I will be working as the Justice Coordinator as well.  Lots of new experiences.  I have completed my first week and a half at my new job and have barely settled in to my new office.

We just completed our first KidsFAST this week.  No we didn't starve the poor kids but we had a fun night that included a family meal.  FAST is short for, "Families and Schools Together."  It is a school based program that helps facilitate family growth and communication as well as better communication with teachers and community organizations.  It was a long two days of training and then our first real time run through was this past Thursday.  It went really well.  I did two cycles in Kitchener-Waterloo when I was at Laurier but I needed a refresher to figure things out again.

Check out the program at...http://www.familiesandschools.org/

I am planning to be home for the week of March 10, 2012.  I am sure it will be a very busy week.

Here are the pics from my trip out with the Canadian Rangers in November 2011:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jojogirl1973/sets/

Using an automatic weapon in target practice...wow!

I have a bright red Canadian Rangers Shirt and cap but I am waiting for my camo cargo pants.

More info on Canadian Rangers:  1st Canadian Ranger Patrol Group.  Looks like there is going to be two weeks of disaster drills with 200 Rangers coming to Tsiigehtchic this summer!!! 

Drin Gwiinzii

Pippi Longstocking

-1 degree with light snow in Tsiigehtchic today.
Sunrise at 9:43 and Sunset at 19:36.

Things have changed quickly.  There are 10 hours of sunlight now and I was just starting to get used to the midnight sun!

BINGO TALLY Conclusion - The stats are too dark and dismal - Luck has not been on my side!

I have to start looking at job postings now.  My contract is up November 30, 2011 or when the ice road opens if it delays past that point.  We are only a week or two away from the river freezing up.  There has been some major snow this week.  It may be here to stay.  The dogs had a good run in the fluffy snow on Monday.  Charlie and Shakespeare are doing fine.  I have made arrangements to get food for them from Whitehorse.  Charlie has to have Royal Canine food from the vet so it was good to figure out how to get it here.  I will be getting it this week.  Just in time for freeze up.

I have settled into the community well and have enjoyed my time here.  It was not as difficult as expected as far as accessing resources but I was not expecting to have to do everything on my own.  I have had to ask questions about everything and learn everything for myself.  You all know that I leave books of information for the people who follow in my footsteps.  I will leave another one of which I will be the sole author.  There are some things you should be told or shown.  Seriously!  The catch phrase I have learned by heart as the answer when you complain is..."welcome to the North."  It is not so very welcoming but it allows you in and eventually you survive long enough to fall in love with it's beauty.

I have learned some new language and syntax such as...

There is more of a Haa than an Eh at the end of sentences.  Are we going to play scrabble today?  If there is not a quick enough answer you will hear.  Haa and your name followed by an implied question mark?  You have to be quick.  "Killer quick."  Perhaps, "Killer" as an adjective is used as often as "like," in the South.

The weather in the winter is "killer cold" but the right clothes are all you need to be comfortable.

A camp out at a friend's house does not necessarily mean outdoors and may refer to the traditional sleep over.  Always clarify with your kids if they will need "killer warm" outdoor clothes or if they are going to sleep indoors.  "Playing out," is similar but more straightforward.  At least it implies that you are playing outside but it may mean you are going over to another friends house to play as well.  In short you can move your magnet to out on the board.  I will be out.  Where?  There are only so many places to look so it will not take you long to find me anyway!

A pair of mittens that belong to you may be referred to as (your name here)'s one.  The four wheeler is ___'s one.  The skidoo is ___'s one.  Whose one's that?  This blog is Jojogirl's one.

And finally...

A Delta Braid does not have anything to do with hair.  I am in the Beaufort-Delta region of NT.

  

Doing the Delta Braid

Lynn Lau Northern News Services
Inuvik (Nov 19/01)

They call it a Delta braid, even though it's not a braid at all. From far away, this special parka trim looks like any store-bought riffraff, but up close, you can see it's not.  Each Delta braid is unique, made up of hundreds of little squares of coloured cloth meticulously folded and sewn to form a ribbon of intricate designs.

The Delta braid distinguishes the parkas worn in this region from other parkas. And it all began with one woman.  At least that's what Maureen Elias has heard.  "My granny invented it, that's what they say," says the 60-year-old Inuvialuit woman, who has produced many of the parka and trims seen in the Delta.
 
Perhaps, Elias considers, the Delta braid was named for her granny's long locks, which she wore in plaits so long that she could wrap them round her baby pack and tie them at her waist.  Elias learned how to sew from watching her mother and especially her aunties, who wore beautiful parkas.
 
Over the years, she's made countless parkas and trims for her large family, and for the many people who see her work and want something of their own.  Elias has sent Delta braid to Alaska, the Yukon, Tsiigehtchic, Fort McPherson, Aklavik, Yellowknife and Tuktoyaktuk.
 
Back in the days when she was working for the local sewing centre, she even made nine parka covers for the British royal family. "Queen Elizabeth, her husband and her kids, I made parkie covers for. They were a nice light blue."  Elias sews so much, she wears out a machine every two years. Two Singers sit on the floor and one stays on her sewing table -- she alternates "when one of them goes funny." She's got even more machines under the house.
 
In every corner of the bedroom that doubles as her sewing room, she has crammed treasures that will one day become parts of parkas - beautiful floral muslin for the "Mother Hubbard" style parka, two tanned wolverine furs under the bed, bits of lace in boxes by her sewing table.
 
Ironically, Elias was named for a woman whose sewing was known to be slow and sloppy.  To make sure Elias wouldn't turn out like the woman who was her namesake, her grand-aunt called on some magic. Everyday, she would rub Elias's hands to make her sewing fast and neat.  Six decades later, ribbons of that magic can still be found on the hems of parkas just about everywhere in the Delta.

Drin Gwiinzii

Happiness is a Warm Blanket Charlie Brown

7 degrees and partly cloudy in Tsiigehtchic today.
Sunrise at 7:14 and Sunset at 22:31.

Starting to notice the return of darkness in the evenings but it is not fully dark.

BINGO TALLY - 23 Losses and 2 Wins!

School is back in session.  Summer was relaxing.  Did some camping, picking berries, had some dry fish and fish strips.  Did a little bit of canoeing and spent some time in Inuvik.  They have a really nice rec complex with a pool and ice rink.  It is nice to have the car.

Came across the idea of a medicine blanket and thought it was a really nice and healthy comfy practice we all do without even knowing it.  I haven't been able to get much information about a blanket ceremony but came across info on wedding ceremonies, an article about the US Marine Corps being Honoured with Native American Blanket Ceremony and a mdiwife'a really touching and meaningful blog post about how she uses blankets in her life and work.

Drin Gwiinzii 

Serendipity

23 degrees and partly cloudy in Tsiigehtchic today.
24 Hours of Sunshine - Is still here!
There is a sunrise and a sunset posted on The Weather Network but it is still not dark in the evenings.

BINGO TALLY -17 Losses and 2 Wins!

I have been reflecting lately on the history of the things we have that can tell such stories.  I am here with the 2001 Toyota Echo and the pups, Charlie and Shakespeare.  Who knew one day they would go beyond the arctic circle?

Who knew I would be playing Mario Party WII in Tsiigehtchic with the neighbourhood kids twice a week?  Who knew the care package from a friend would contain some food that was used to host a meal for the neighbours?  Who knew that the towel from the care package would greatly assist in removing the inch of dirt off the car from the Dempster (yes the highway is a dirt road)!

The potentially useless give away of a wallet for signing up with Suzy Shier's frequent buyer program has found a use as a convenient light weight travel item.  Who knew the beading loom I bought over 15 years ago would end up in the arctic circle and that I would be beading lots of fun pieces and making decorative pouches out of them from moose hide?

Who knew that my rubber boots would get a pound of Mackenzie River mud on them from treking along the beach in Tsiigehtchic?

That I would almost loose my sandals in a foot of mud unless I put on those rubber boots?

Quicksand (mud) is real and alive on the Mackenzie River beach!  You can go more than knee deep!

That the diary I started almost ten years ago would chronicle my time North of 60?

That items I had been storing to donate to charities in gift baskets would be used for Scrabble tournament prizes?  I won a nice travel pouch for personal items in the Scrabble Tournament.  It's really nice and has come in very handy.  The logo says Canadian North.  Seriously Northern.  Seeeeeriouly!  I hear people say seriously and honestly in a long drawn out fashion in discussions.  It's very easy to catch on to before you even realize that you have.

It strikes me sometimes when I go to use something and there in an interesting history of where I aquired it and where it has come.  You never know what is possible and where you will find yourself in life.  

Drin Gwiinzii   

Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

9 degrees and overcast in Tsiigehtchic today.
24 Hours of Sunshine - Is still here!

BINGO TALLY -16 Losses and 2 Wins!
Scrabble Tournament Score 1987 over 7 Games - 1st Place! - Average of 284 per game - not bad!  I play on Facebook if you want to challenge!

The Spring break up adventure has come to a close.  It was actually a really nice time.  I had the opportunity to get to know the people in the community better.

I have lots of pics uploaded of the spring break up and latest activities.

I flew home for my brother's wedding and drove back in a 2001 Toyota Echo.  All went well.  No break downs or flat tires.  Just tired and had to rest swoollen ankles!  It was a long journey but a fantastic ride.  Lots of wildlife including Dall Sheep and Bison.  There was a moose, deer and bear.  Foxes, rabbits and porcupine were also finding their way to the other side of the road.

We travelled to Edmonton non-stop then stopped in Grande Prairie, Liard River, Whitehorse and Dawson. We stopped for a dip in the Liard Hot Springs and saw the Dust to Dawson crowd in Dawson City.  They were a group of motorcyclists who travel there from all over the world for a yearly festival that incudes lots of fun and games. 

The trip from Dawson to Tsiigehtchic is 646 km but took 12 hours on the gravel roads.  The speed you can travel depends on the condition of the road and changes rapidly hour by hour.

The best scenery was at the Tombstone Mountains.  Wow!

Drin Gwiinzii 

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

7 degrees with a few clouds in Tsiigehtchic today.
24 Hours of Sunshine - Here it Comes!  

3 Hours and 10 more minutes than my last blog.  The river is clear...its clear...its clear!

BINGO TALLY -16 Losses and 2 Wins!
Scrabble Tournament Score 873 over three games - I play on Facebook if you want to challenge!

Week two of the ice break up is over.  It was not as difficult as I expected.  The ice break up was late this year and the water is now clear of ice.  The ferry will likely go in the water this week.  It will be three weeks of no road access when it is typically a 4-6 week wait.  People are now crossing the river by boat and using the cars they left on the other side of the river to get to Inuvik.

I have some pictures and video if the ice break up but I have to wait until the 1st of June to post them as I am pretty close to using my 15 GB download allowance per month.

We have been getting mail once a week by helicopter.  I hope that Canada Post does not go on strike!  The mail is so important here.  I got some pics of a helicopter landing this morning.  It was a passenger transport and not the mail service but it was pretty cool.

I have had a hard time sleeping despite blacking out the window in the bedroom.  You just have to get to bed at a reasonable time and not wait for your body to tell you you are tired. 

There was a bake sale this past Friday as there is no more bread in the store.  The event went well and they would like to do it again this Friday.  Fresh plain donuts are a local tradition and taste amazing.  One person made 64 donuts.  They were sold in 10 minutes time for $1.00 a piece.  Not a bad gig.  A loaf of fresh bread goes for $10.00.  That is pretty reasonable considering the cost of the ingredients.

Looking forward to going home and seeing family on June 15.  My brother's wedding is in North Bay on June 18.  I have not had a chance to go shopping for clothes but I will figure something out.  I am not sure if beaded moose hide is appropriate attire...

Drin Gwiinzii 

Indiana Jones and The Temple of Doom

8 degrees with a few clouds in Tsiigehtchic today.
Sunrise at 4:28 and Sunset at 1:18.

1 Hour and 44 more minutes than my last blog!  The ice is breaking...its breaking...its breaking!

BINGO TALLY -14 Losses and 2 Wins!
Scrabble Score 327 - I play on Facebook if you want to challenge!

I took a walk along the river today.  There was some water flow that created a huge pile up of ice on the road exiting the town.  Check out the pics.

Well I had a lot of Happy Birthday well wishers and enjoyed a cook out in a great spot over looking the Arctic Red River.  I got to try shooting a crossbow!

There is a lot of hunting for water fowl right now.  I could hear gun shots not too far off while I was hiking up Tsiigehtchic hill.

Drin Gwiinzii

Raiders of the Lost Ark

4 degrees with a few clouds in Tsiigehtchic today.
Sunrise at 4:28 and Sunset at 1:18.
50 more minutes than my last blog!  The road is closed...its closed...its closed!

BINGO TALLY -13 Losses and 2 Wins!
Scrabble Score 327 - I play on Facebook if you want to challenge!

(Hint Hint - I need some fun things to do with friends!)

Week 1 - Ice Break Up - Road Closed

The coping strategy is to have a lot of fun and activities over the next few weeks.

Scrabble, Yahtzee. Food and Craft events.  Of course if there is an organizer.

Big flashing green arrow in the sky pointing down at me.

It didn't need a traversable road to get there!

The planning begins and the posters go out Wednesday...I think it will be a lot of fun!

Reminds me of the black out in Southern Ontario when no one had anything to do but actually go outside and talk with their neighbours.  I see a lot of people talking in groups outside already.

Drin Gwiinzii

Searching for Bobby Fischer

-12 with light snow in Tsiigehtchic today.
Sunrise at 4:47 and Sunset at 0:47.
1 hour and 50 more minutes than my last blog!  The ice is melting...its melting...its melting!

BINGO TALLY -13 Losses and 2 Wins!
Started Scrabble tournament today.  My score so far is 327
The person with the highest accumulative score at the end of break up is the winner.

The latest press release on the road conditions.  The crossing here is the Mackenzie River.

I have now learned to play Indian BINGO.  Those are not my words so I can use them.  It is quite interesting.  There is also a game here called Snurt that is very similar to Dutch Blitz.  They use 20 cards instead of 10 in their piles and they can start at one or 13 in the middle.  The piles count up or down depening on the start number but it is basically the same game.

Indian BINGO is a variation of the gift exchange we may have all done with our families and friends at one time.  The dice go around the circle of players.  If you roll doubles you get a wrapped gift from the centre.  The roles continue until all the gifts are gone from the centre.  You keep rolling even if you already have a gift and can collect more.  Once all the items from the middle are gone the packages are unwrapped one by one so you can figure out which one you want to steal.  THEN....the clock starts.  15 minutes!

They started with two sets of dice and put in a third at one point.  The game is simple.  Roll a double and take a gift from anyone.  Keep rolling and keep taking gifts when you get doubles.  What you have when the clock runs out is what you take home.   Well, I was up by five and down to 1 and up to three and left with none.  There were a few things that moved like hotcakes to everyone's pile and it was a blast!  The timers were having so much fun watching they let the clock roll an extra 15 minutes.  My knees hurt but it was fun!

After all that hard work...I ended up with a wooden cutting board.  There were a few ladies in the corner hiding their gifts underneath them but I didn't play too hard core.  The Mother's Day BBQ lunch beforehand was cooked on the fire outside and it was fantastic.

I am down to 100 white beads but the projects are still coming on the other colours that remain.  Trying out a red frog on the project still on the loom.  I have some busy ladies at Community Living Cambridge putting together a bead care package.  Social Committee Rocks!  I am dreaming about light and dark pinks, light yellow and mint green again!  Mahsi Cho (Thank You) Ladies!

Cast Away

-6 with a few clouds in Tsiigehtchic today.
Sunrise at 5:47 and Sunset at 23:57.
3 hours and 53 more minutes than my last blog!  The ice road is expected to break up in the next few weeks!

BINGO TALLY -12 Losses and 2 Wins!

I hope to get to Inuvik this week for supplies before the road closes.  I better get brushed up on my survival skills before we get stranded here over spring.

We had these plaques made to commemorate the elders and had a feast where they were presented with this gift.  It is an engraving in black granite of the two churches on the hill coming into town.  The old one is to the right and the new one has the wooden walkway.  The saying above the churches is in Gwich'in and translates as, "We will be Strong Minded Elders."

Well here is evidence of how I have been spending some of my time.  If you want to send me some beads and a bead loom pattern I will see what I can put together for you.  I can find a pattern online if you know what you want as well.  It has been fun to put these together.  I would like to put the turtle on a debit card wallet and have a string to hang it around my neck instead of carrying a purse around.

Drin Gwiinzii

State Fair

-16 and clear in Tsiigehtchic today.
Sunrise at 7:10 and Sunset at 22:41.
2 hours and 48 more minutes than my last blog!  The ice road is expected to break up by the end of April!

BINGO TALLY -11 Losses and 2 Wins!
There haven't been any games because the licenses are being renewed.
Apparently the party starts again this Friday.

Our Mackenzie River Jamboree is a great Jamboree.  Don't miss it.  Don't even be late!

A lot has happened.  I have put up some pictures of the Jamboree in Inuvik and Tsiigehtchic.  I loved all the great jackets, mittens and boots that everyone was wearing for the occasion.

Warning.  I did put up a pic of some of the mess in the Magic Bus!  I was surprised to receive some compensation from housing for my hard work.  I am very grateful (no pun intented).  I had to replace all the floor registers!

I won a jiving contest and egg spoon race at the local Mackenzie Jamboree.  The guys in the egg on your spoon race were all going too fast and lost their eggs.  One guy did a face plant and the girls were victorious!!!  $50.00 for each of my wins!  Definitely worth joining in the fun.  I will have to watch out that my jive doesn't make it to youtube apparently...:)

I did not do too well at the tea boiling competition.  You have to light a fire and get a pot of snow to melt and come to a full boil.  Apparently matches don't like to burn for more than a few seconds in the cold.  I was supposed to light the matchbook on fire and not just individual matches.

I cooked pancakes, eggs, bacon and sausages for breakfast on Saturday and Sunday at the Jamboree in Tsiigehtchic.  I was with three other kitchen staff and we had to really get organized the feed the hungry hordes.  I made sure to get my breakfast hot the second day instead of getting stuck with the the cold leftovers at the end.  A fun weekend!

I have had some difficult spots to work through lately.  Getting some particular programs in place has been a trying process.  When I did get what I wished for I didn't realize that I had wished for what I got.  Each session is bringing better results but has been emotionally taxing.

The kids at school have asked me if i know that I have white hair so many times that I finally broke out a kit I purchased on Inuvik for $20.00 to dye it.  I can't remember the last time I did it myself.  Poor Southern salon girl!  It turned out well anyway.

I look forward to going to my brother David's wedding to his fiancee Megan in June.  Hopefully I will pave the way for the dogs to come back with me.  I will be in North Bay so unfortunately I will not be able to see everyone but it will be nice to get back for a short visit.

Lots of love.  Lost some steam there in keeping the blog up to date but hopefully things are back on the right track.  I only get 15 GB of data with my internet package.  It is $10.00 a GB after that and there are no larger packages.  Monopoly!  I have to watch my internet use anyway.

Luckily I am getting some movie care packages.!  Thanks...:)

Drin Gwinzii

A River Runs Through It

-8 and overcast in Tsiigehtchic today.
Sunrise at 8:45 and Sunset at 21:18.
40 more minutes than my last blog!  Will this nice weather stay or are there more freezing temperatures to come?

BINGO TALLY -11 Losses and 2 Wins!

I made meatloaf and mashed potatoes on Friday.  Everything went well.  I took Jello home the night before so it would be ready on time.  Berry flavour blue jello just to make dessert a little freaky.  Turned out great!

The meatloaf and mashed potatoes went well.  I went back to the house once for an extra pan.  Things disappear from the gym kitchen if they are left behind so there are no real pots and pans to use in the gym cooking area.  It requires a lot of thinking to get all the right pieces together to cook a meal.

I was surprised to see the number of people that drive in Tsiigehtchic.  Not surprised that people have licenses or cars but that they drive everywhere even if it their destiantion can be seen out their front window.  I walk back and forth with all my pots and pans to the school and people wave at me from their cars.  I usually can't wave back because I have my hands full.  I figure it makes me look tough and people will be worried about trying to get in the way of that crazy wellness worker who walks through town carrying all those heavy packages. 

I pulled an old dresser out of the Wellness Centre that was breaking into pieces.  I set it out on the curb by myself one morning.  Perhaps it will reinforce the message not to mess with the fiesty kid in the Magic Bus.  I also made a list of all the things I cleaned and took care of in the Magic Bus when I first arrived and gave it to the landord.  The faint of heart would have been hopitalized by now.

Bannock wasn't on the menu today but there was a young helper in the kitchen who really wanted to do some baking.  She measured out the flour and labouriously patted it down evenly into the pan while I was stiring the potatoes.  Yes, I didn't have a mixing bowl and we made the bannock in the same pan that we used to bake it in the oven.  I intervened in the flour feng shui and added the other ingredients into the mix.  My helper and I had all our hands in the dough and it was sticking to us more than it was being shaped into dough.  Bannock is a stickier dough than traditional bread recipes.  I pulled the extra dough off the little fingers of my helper to facilitate the process.  I mixed up the ingredients more thoroughly and held the big ball of dough in my hands while my helper took the time to wash the pan.  I had to enlist some extra help to stir the vegetables and potatoes while I was otherwise occupied.  We shaped the dough into separate balls and placed them in the pan about 15 minutes before supper needed to be ready and put it in the oven.  I developed a plan to have the bannock dropped off after it was ready and left with the meal. 

I had my meal ready on time and my ride arrived to pick everything up with expert timing.  Everythng was served on time and without incident.  Then someone asked if I had made some bannock.  I told him there might be some in the school gym if he was willing to go for a walk and pick it up.  No takers.  Probably a good thing because when the bannock arrived it looked suspiciously more brown that expected.  It was also crunchier than expected.  Oops!  We forgot to turn the temperature down from the one it was set to for the meatloaf!  There were some who ate the middle of the bun but most of the bannock was lost to the trash heap.  Better luck next time! 

The program is in process of ending until the application to continue the funding is completed and approved.  We'll see if they invite me back for another season.  The review on the meatloaf and potatoes definitely received a 10 strong stamp of approval.  The effort on the bannock did not go unoticed and good graces were given for another try.  Stay tuned for season 2 - more unconventional cooking with teapots and fingerprint patterns in the flour to die for!

I am looking forward to completing part of a special project this coming week.  I am getting a picture of the church on the hill engraved into granite with a printed Gwich'in saying that recognizes the contribution of the elders to the community.  We will be having a feast to show them community support and let them know who they can turn to if they find that they are being victimized by individuals in the community.  I am working on addressing the issue of elder abuse and have a follow up speaker who is going to come in from Yellowknife to discuss it with the community.   It is not uncommon for family members and bootleggers to take the debit card of various elderly individuals and get money for themselves.  There is a strong community connection that obligates parents to care for their children's needs even when they are being taken advantage of by their own friends and family. 

The RCMP are stationed in Fort McPherson about 45 minutes South of Tsiigehtchic.  They patrol the area on a regular basis but need input from the community regarding issues of concern.  When the roads are blocked during the ice break up in the Spring and freeze up in the Winter there are no RCMP in the community.  There never have been.  There is a nurse that stays in town twice a year for the six weeks the roads are blocked.  A person can be removed for medical care by helicopter and there are people trained in first response medical care.

Tsiigehtchic is a dry community and alcohol is prohibited so bootleggers charge a lot of money for alcohol.  The community is realizing that the RCMP needs to know what is happening in order to intervene and more efforts are being put in place to get the right information to the police.  Bootleggers leave their stash on the side of the road and drive into town looking for police vehicles.  They go back for the alcohol when they see that the coast is clear.  It is easy to spot trails into the bush off the side of the road so many have figured out that you can throw bottles individually into the snow where they are relatively undetectable.

You may go hunting for some of this treasure and hit the jackpot on your own.  This happens in the spring as there are many lost bottles that were not successfully retrieved.  Not quite the same as the gold rush!

Drin Gwiinzii


  

G.I. Jane

-8 and clear in Tsiigehtchic today.
Sunrise at 8:45 and Sunset at 21:18.
56 more minutes than my last blog!  Time to break out the spring jacket!

BINGO TALLY - 9 Losses and 2 Wins!

This week's episode of Hell's Kitchen will be on Friday.  I switched my cooking day this week so my firing and the hiring of my culinary successor will be postponed until a later date.  Maybe I will stay in the game yet!  Host Gordon Ramsey will let you know if he is here by then!  I think he is too busy in California and the other sunshine states so I may make the cut and stay on as chief cook and bottle washer for another round. 

Well this past week I have been contemplating the idea of joining the Canadian Rangers.  There was a recruitment officer here last week and he will probably be back in the summer.  The people registered with the Canadian Rangers survey the land for access points to remote areas in the case of an emergency.  They map out dead radio areas and assist in search and rescue operations.  The brigade monitors a 300 km radius around the city.  That definitely does not cover Afghanistan so no worries.  But there is a rifle involved.  Seriously!

They use a #4 MK2(F) Lee Enfield Rifle.  I missed the land and parade drills but can join in the next time a recruitment officer is in town.  They are having a parade on Wednesday when they get back from their patrol.

It involves camouflage uniform pants, boots and we'll have to forgive them for the bright red shirts.  Not so covert.  I am not sure what colour the parka is as it is new I believe.

New on the adjustment front:

Wearing running shoes, capris and a hoodie outdoors is a sign of getting used to the North.  This doesn't happen in really cold weather but even at -25 it can be seen.  Today was a perfect day for it though.  Awesome temperature!  My amazing Canada Goose jacket was way too warm to wear.

I have been walking around with a shoe bag so that when I take off my boots indoors, I will have some shoes to wear.  This week my shoe bag stayed home and I walked around in my socks like everyone else.  Gasp!

You realize that animal fur really keeps you warm and has it's purpose in the North.  You might even get a pelt to put up on your wall.  It hasn't happened yet but just saying I drooled over a gorgeous fox hide today.

The store here is more expensive that in Inuvik and Fort McPherson.  When you can pay $6.22 to buy a large bag of chips and a pop you are starting to fit in.

And here is the big one.  This week I caught myself talking with an accent eh!  Hoooneeestly! 

Drin Gwiinzii

The Back-up Plan

-25 and clear in Tsiigehtchic today.
Sunrise at 9:15 and Sunset at 20:52.
32 more minutes than my last blog!  The moon is beautiful in the clear night sky.

BINGO TALLY - 8 Losses and 2 Wins!

Spring ahead!  All of you who have tuned in to my cooking adventures are wondering how today went in the kitchen.  Things went better than last week but there were definitely a few kinks to iron out in the process.

This weeks highlights include switching todays meal menu with next weeks meal as not all the items were available.  They are in process of being tracked down for next week.  Stay tuned!  Pork chops and mashed potatoes sound simple enough.

Today became beef rice casserole and beet salad.  Woohoo!  I also made another batch of bannock with help from the lovely gym custodian who was filing in for the regular cleaner today.  She rocked!  I was on an episode of Trading Places.  I guess I should have cleaned while she cooked though if that was the case.  I did tell her that she earned double pay today.

I was loaded up with my two pans and even a pot today.  I had my measuring cups and spoons as well.  No grater.  I hesitated at the last second and decided against it after glancing at the recipe.  I did add some token cheese to the top of the casserole but was not devastated by the missing cheese grater today.

I used my pot to brown the meat and added the extra ingredients.  I started the beet salad in one of the pans wondering what was going to happen with this one and if anyone would eat it.  It had beets, red onion, cucumber, boiled eggs and some spices.   There was a yogourt and sour cream mix to put on over top.  I have to say I ate beet salad today and it was definitely good.

As I was using my one pot for the casserole, I ran out of options for boiling the eggs.  There was the iron pot I used last week to mix the bannock but it was a little questionable as the bottom seems to be a little rough looking and it is huge pot for a few small little eggs.  I poured some hot water from the teapot into a mug and added a tea bag while I sat and took some time to consider the situation.  I have probably had more litres of tea in the last month than I have had in my entire life!  Damn my tea has gone cold while I have been writing.  I will have to warm it up and add some honey.  Yummy!

I brought mixing bowls from the Magic Bus to cook with this time and they played an important role in the success of this meal.  Mixing the bannock was easier and making the dressing for the salad was easier.  They were fantastic!  A very wise and excellent purchase for the journey to NWT.  I considered using one of the glass mixing bowls to boil the eggs in the microwave but I wasn't sure how long that would take or what temperature to use.  I looked down at the large metal teapot on the stove in front of me and got an idea.  Eureka!  Yes I did make boiled eggs in the teapot on the stove.  I hope the custodian keeps that one under her hat!    

Definitely a good morning spent cooking with the custodian.

On to the next test.  Eating the meal!  I got a ride in a truck that I could step into without putting my feet up over my head to get in.  Very nice.  The meal was warm and on time.  Wait until they hear they are being served beet salad.  Eek.  What will happen then?

I didn't say anything at first and then someone asked what was in the yogourt.  Um...um is there a little too much yogourt?  Stall...stall.  He said, "No I just didn't know you could put vegetables is yogourt, it tastes good."  Phew!  I told them the ingredieats and they kept eating.  Two requests for seconds this time.  Going up in the world.  Tea pot boiled eggs and all!

More wisdom:

I have learned that not all labels on toilet paper are true,  The 176 sheet roll of 2 ply lasted three days this time.  Rip off.  The computer messed up when it counted the tissues!

I have come to learn some of the following signs of acclimatization to the North: 

Eventually you stop pulling your pant legs over the tops of your boots when you put them on. 

Eventually you stop holding on to recyclable products in the hope of finding some way to reuse and reduce them.  You eventually just thrown them out and move on.  There is a bin for pop cans in the band office though.  They are dropped off at the scrap yard in Inuvik.  Yeah!  I have four cans so far.  I forgot to bring them over today.  At the going rate of $1.51 to purchase a can of pop, I don't think you even come close to breaking even.

You eventually find yourself walking around and enjoying the lovely weather at -20 and higher.  It is possble to comment on the warm weather and complain about being too hot in the middle of the arctic winter.  When that happens, take off a layer!

I am sure I will see more adaptational changes in my learned habits and behaviour to come...I will let you know!

Drin Gwiinzii

.

Kindergarden Cop

-22 and fair in Tsiigehtchic today.
Sunrise at 8:32 and Sunset at 19:37.
32 more minutes than my last blog!  The sun is shining directly through my window.

BINGO TALLY - 8 Losses and 2 Wins!

I had some questions about what I do from a few people.  I am the Community Wellness Worker.  I provide counselling and plan activities to promote good mental health and wellness in the community.  Being here is the opportunity I need to get experience in the field of counselling and to move on to the next level in my career.  Unfortunately, I can't talk about a lot of work related things in my blog.   

I did spend some time in the school today.  There are some new kids in town and the school population went from 25-30 overnight.  I would like to go into the school twice a week and get involved with some of the special needs kids as well as plan some health and wellness activities.  Anti-bullying, building self-esteem, drug and alcohol awareness...etc  I played dress up instead of reading a book as my charges wouldn't settle down long enough for me to turn a page.  I had a boy witch running through the library scaring people.  Elmo and cookie monster puppets took their frustrations out on each other.  Apparently they were not in the mood to play nicely.  I almost lost a kid in the tickle trunk after it was completely emptied out and well in the end at least they cooperated in cleaning the whole mess up.  I was thanked for spending my morning in the school.  Apparently the teachers enjoy having other people see for themselves what they go through every day.

Things I have learned:

Princess Smartypants is one hell of a girl!  by Babette Cole.  Ok I got to read one kids book today.

Adults can benefit from strings attached to their mittens so that they don't get lost

Your exposed hair turns white in the cold when you walk outside.

One single female uses a 176 sheet roll of 2 ply toilet paper in five days.
Interesting info to use when planning your next shopping trip.

Always run all of your water taps for a few minutes after the sewage tank has been pumped.

Your eyes will permanently water when you get old and your cheeks will be red forever if you skidoo without goggles on all the time.  Frost bite is not your friend.

Really big 12" deep dresser drawers are really cool

Jigging is a dance and a way to catch fish.  Imagine that!

Don't get smarty with me is a catch phrase in these here parts.

Drin Gwiinzii