Home at last!!!!

Home at last!

After 3 days of delay we finally made it home! After a restful night at the Nova Hotel we went to the airport to check our bags, then walked to town to look at some stores. We went to a soapstone shop that had thousands of carvings available, ranging in price from $30 - over $10 000. Those who purchased things generally bought at the lower end of the range.

Our flight left without incident, and the ride home was smooth. Upon arriving at the airport we had one last group hug, then went to the baggage claim area where we were met by family and friends to head home.

Despite the 3 day delay in getting home, all were thrilled with the trip. Great friendships have been formed, and the experience was better than could have ever been learned from a book. We now look forward to the arrival of the Qikiqtarjuaq gang on Tuesday. That is, if they can get a plane to land.

Innu games

Reading to the children.

we made it to Iqaluit!!!!

Hey all,

We made it to Iqaluit! The weather conditions worsened as the day progressed, and at 4:30 we gathered at the airport for the 4th time. We were told the flight left Iqaluit on time and made it's scheduled stop in Pang. A nervous 45 minutes later we heard the plane fly by, then silence for a long time but confirmation from the radio tower that they would try again. The snow was pretty haevy, and the fog was near ground level. We could not see the far end of the runway. Had it been Canadian North there is no way we would have gone anywhere, but true to their reputation, First Air landed. I have never been so happy to see a plane in my life. Even some of the locals were surprised. Yay!

Anyway, we are hunkered down in our hotel in Iqaluit. We just ordered some food in and will have dinner. We fly out of Iqaluit tomorrow at 12:45. First Air flight 861, arriving in Ottawa at 4:50 pm. We are all very eager to get there, but are feeling very relieved that we have gotten this far.



Mr. Bernards

Still here...

Hey everyone,

Well, we heard a plane flying overhead, but we did not see one land, so we are here for at least another night. We have a chance tomorrow morning, and if that plane lands we should still make it to Iqaluit in time for a 4:20 arrival in Ottawa on Thursday afternoon. Otherwise we will bump to a Friday departure, which I think means a Saturday afternoon arrival.

Mr. Bernards

Trapped in Qikiqtarjuaq!

The weather has proven to be our greatest obstacle on this trip, as our scheduled flight was canceled this morning. So after quite a few phone calls, plans made and changed, and a day of "hurry up and wait", it now seems that we have a plan.

We are booked on a flight that leaves at 4:30 Wednesday. We will stay overnight in Iqaluit, then take the 1:20 flight on Thursday to Ottawa, arriving at 16:20. If the 4:30 Wednesday flight does not happen, we have a 10:00 Thursday morning flight that can also get us to Iqaluit in time for the 1:20 flight to Ottawa. So that gives us 2 chances to get to Ottawa by Thursday afternoon. If neither plane arrives, we will have to see what options exist for Friday.

The Ottawa students are not at all disappointed about the longer stay, and our Qikiqtarjuaq hosts remain welcoming and generous. All are well, other than being a little stir crazy. The locals have been telling us many stories about being trapped for days and weeks without flights. That is not helping.


Mr Bernards

The flight out for today is cancelled

Due to the weather conditions in Nunavut. No worries however the kids are in good hands! The flight might be cleared for tomorrow, more news to follow...

Feast and celebration

With the return of the boys from camping, the whole group was now gathered for our last full day together. An assembly was organized for the school, featuring David Charette dancing in full regalia - the students and staff were all amazed at his fine talent.

We had the rest of the afternoon to finish making mitts and fishing spears while the "Traditional Feast" was being prepared. Miss Moyle certainly had the best mitts of our group to show for all the effort.

We gathered in the gym again where David danced once more and a traditional Kudlik lighting ceremony was held. The kudlik is a pot of oil lit for fuel, ligtt and warmth. Then the feast began. Very yummy: caribou, polar bear, seal, arctic char and muttuk. Yum. All was cooked - I guess they figured none of us would want any.

So all that remains is to find out if our airplane will come get us. The odds are about 50-50 right now, so we might just have at least another day of Qikiqtarjuag hospitality on our hands. We'll know for sure by noon tomorrow.

David performing.

Feast preparation.

The feast..

Boys turn to camp and sled

Camping:
It was the boys' turn to go camping, and all set out to the school's cabin, about a 10 minute snow mobile ride from the village. Once there we set up, a few brought tents but most planned to sleep in the cabin which was, in a word, rustic. It was not much more than plywood floors, walls and ceiling. Two small windows, two ventilation holes and a door. Good thing we brought warm clothes.

Stoves were lit to boil water for tea, hot chocolate and soup. The bannock was broken out, and we spent the time adjusting to the surroundings and waiting for the dog sled teams. They arrived soon enough, and two groups of about 4 people each set out with the teams. After an hour or so they returned and the remaining people had their turn. Dog sledding is a very peaceful way to get around. Instead of the roar of engines you hear the gentle swoosh of the runners and the occasional "Hup! Hup!" from the musher. He never once said "Mush!" The dogs quickly settle into a steady pace, and you can hop off the sled and jog beside for a few steps if you feel up to it. It's like being in a canoe, except colder, no paddles and the occasional smell of a dog passing wind.

After sledding a group went out to Bubble Lake again, and Eric got wet. Should have listened to those elders! It was only his feet, but he felt the cold for sure. Dinner was shepherd's pie and hot dogs, then a few of us climbed up the hill side to catch the view. Once again, we were surrounded by incredible landscape and a slowly thawing tundra. I even made my first inukshuk!

Today we have more time for crafts, then a traditional feast for our last evening meal. It's hard to believe we're almost done here. The forecast calls for light snow tomorrow, so whether or not we actually leave as scheduled is yet to be determined.

Michael