Helenenorth

 Hello everyone What a crazy busy week we have had.  The most fun, of course, was the primary Excursion.  Grade 3 to six went by canoe, up river, to the best berry picking and seal hunting area.  Unfortunately, it was very windy, and very choppy on the water, so I didn't get a chance to try out new found rifle skills. But, I did pick quite a few berries--so now I have a lovely freezer filled with Arctic Char and berries. Getting in and out of the canoe was a real challenge, no place to tie up--just rocks and a rugged shore line.  Our driver actually carried me from the boat to the nearest big rock!!  The return was even harder.  Tide was changing.  First, we had to exit from a different place, straight down a very rocky path, and we had to walk in the water up to our knees.  The place was very rocky, and the wind was blowing.  Only one canoe could pick us up because of its flatter bottom.  Once we were out a ways, we had to move int...

 Hello This is my third attempt to get a blog out.  I have been having so much trouble with my internet--we have star-link, and I have been sharing it with friends down the road.  Sometime it works, sometime it doesn't.  I noticed that my new neighbour has a really strong signal so I asked him if I could share it.  He agreed--and he is getting it free from his work.  So, for now, I have it for free too.  If at some point in the future he has to pay for it, I will share the cost.  No more internet insecurity!  Hurray!! The weather has been horrid.  Snow, big winds of over 50 k per hour, sleet and rain have been with us all week, with temperatures dipping below zero!  Today, it is sunny, and the wind has gone down, so I will try to get out for a big walk tomorrow.  If the weather keeps good, the primary side of the school will go on an excursion up the Payne River, going west.  We will berry pick, fish and seal hunt.  I...

 Greetings all Can you believe that I have been here for two weeks--and the first week of school done!! Weather has been interesting--never really hot, but we sure have had some beautiful blue skies, with little or no wind, and the biggest mosquitoes I have ever seen!!  You have to keep your mouth closed!!  We also have had some snow, rain and sleet, so it is just the tease before that weather comes--usually the snow flies in October--so we have some nice weather to come. Berries are ripening, so everyone is out scouring the landscape, trying to pick as many as they can.  They are small black and red berries--not terribly tasty, but when you mix them with the whale blubber, they taste ok. Everyone is fishing.  Kangirsuk has the best Arctic Char fishing in the world.  NO commercial fishing here--just the locals--and it is fishing every day after school--the fish practically jump into the canoe!!  My neighbour keeps me well stocked. The students usually ...

 Greetings all Back to Kangirsuk, you say!!  Are you crazy?  Well, yes, I guess I am a little on the crazy side! I had the call, and I just could not ignore it.  It is fabulous being back, I must say.  Meeting former students, parents, community members and colleagues has been more fun then my Alaskan Cruise.  Seeing how the kids have grown, seeing what they have accomplished, and seeing how the community is beginning to prosper--a real wow experience. The usual frustrations of getting here-a 30 hour delay.  And then, the usual agony of moving into the living accommodation, cleaning, unpacking boxes and settling in.  The worst was, of course, getting the internet at home and at school, and re learning all the tech that I must use including smart board, printer stuff, and internet stuff.  But, that is all behind me.  My classroom is already, house is up to snuff, and I am ready for those four little darlings on Monday morning. I will also...