One month later..

October 29, 2023

Hello

It has been another busy week. The place is starting to grow on me. I am so surprised at the warmth of the people here. One day last week, I went shopping at the coop. Someone asked if I would like to go, so I did, but I didn't have my bags with me--only the back pack, so some of the heavier items like the pumpkin, and some cans had to go into a box. As I was struggling to get all this stuff to the door, and then into the truck, a grade 8 boy, whom I have met on the play ground, came over and asked if I needed any help--of course, please. He picked everything up, and packed it to the truck.

At the staff meeting on Friday, I asked if any locals knew about the Inuit drumming. They all said it wasn't done here, just in Nunavut. I was a little disappointed. But, they did say a villager could come and teach us the throat singing--that will be neat.

This afternoon, after my walk, I went to the school to prep for next week. Our behaviour tech is a young Inuit lad who has just returned from college in Montreal. He is a local graduate. He is quite a big boy, but extremely soft spoken, shy. He already has been a big help with some issues with the children. He really is the gentle giant. He popped in and asked if I needed any help, and they he went over to the drums. I told him I was ok. Then I asked if he played the drum. Very, very quietly he said, yes. He picked up the drum and mallet and proceeded to do a song. I was overjoyed and asked if I could record it, but he said no. I asked if he could show me the correct technique to strike the drum, and he was ok with that, and ok with me taking pictures. I asked him about the protocol of playing the drum, and he said that there was none that he knew of.

I invited him to come to my guitar class so that he can teach them--and I am hopeful that we can do a total drum circle at the Christmas concert.

So, slowly, I am connecting with the community and the culture.

The temperature is around minus ten, and we have about 5 cm of snow. It is unlike any snow that I have seen before--it is the consistency of hail. Underneath is glare ice--I am so thankful the principal gave me the spikes to put on my shoes. It was never like this in Kangirsuk. And, there is no sanding of the roads here---so it is pretty dangerous with any motor vehicles.

Last weekend I was invited to music party. The man who teaches kayak building is also a lute player--totally self taught, and playing baroque music. It was a fun evening, and I got to play several jazz selections from my Hal Leonard collection.

Halloween this week, a strike day, report cards, parent teacher conferences ---you know the drill. But, we are making progress, and I am actually having fun!! The time is slipping away, and soon we will be enjoying our egg nog and turkey!!

bundle up! My ski jacket zipper broke, so a friend is letting me borrow this neat parka.