I mentioned ages ago that Michelle and I had signed up to do the Relay for Life here in Inuvik. Well, the day of our return from our grand adventures down to Eagle Plains and back again, we met up with our team, threw on our relay shirts, joined in the opening ceremony and walked for the first couple hours. Teams were doing laps around the field for 12 hours to raise awareness and funds for cancer research. At least one person from each team had to be on the track at all times. It went from 7am to 7pm. Michelle and I walked for the first and last couple of hours, catching a bit of sleep in between. We had to work the next morning! It was a good event and allowed us to get to know a few more people in Inuvik. I think the town raised something like $64,000! With only 8 teams participating! Very cool.
The following week was the National Truth and Reconciliation event here in Inuvik. People from communities all over Canada, but mostly northern Canada, came for the event.
"The TRC was established as a result of the 2007 Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement. Its mandate is to inform all Canadians about what happened in the 130 year history of the schools, and guide and inspire a process of reconciliation and renewed relationships based on mutual understanding and respect."
"There is an emerging and compelling desire to put the events of the past behind us so that we can work towards a stronger and healthier future. The truth telling and reconciliation process as part of an overall holistic and comprehensive response to the Indian Residential School legacy is a sincere indication and acknowledgement of the injustices and harms experienced by Aboriginal people and the need for continued healing. This is a profound commitment to establishing new relationships embedded in mutual recognition and respect that will forge a brighter future. The truth of our common experiences will help set our spirits free and pave the way to reconciliation." (Truth and Reconciliation Commission website. For more information on the event... www.trc.ca )
There were events lined up all week, and the town was alive with people coming and going, the smells of muskox pie and goose soup, the sounds of musicians playing and people laughing and crying. I got to try said muskox pie, as well as fish cakes, reindeer soup, and muktuk (beluga meat...not my favourite). I made it out to a few event after work in the evenings. All I can say is that I was deeply moved by the emotions shared amongst all those involved. We learn about Residential Schools in our education, but being here with those suffering still, was a completely different experience. It was awful what Residential Schools did to aboriginal communities across Canada, but what was even more disturbing is how it has disrupted the love and trust within thousands of aboriginal families. Parents estranged from their children, anger, alcoholism...in one generation, abuse became a part of their lives, and it seems to have lived on in their lives since then. A disease that spreads down from generation to generation. Some were more affected than others, and I did here stories from those who benefited from Residential Schools too, but the amount of sorrow left behind seemed to dominate the atmosphere of the event. It was amazing to witness some of the healing process, but I still barely scratched the surface.
And now, the Great Northern Arts Festival looms ever closer. It's another huge event, with people travelling from all over the world to see, purchase, and learn from the artists of the north. There will be workshops on drum making, lamp making, beading, tufting, basket making, etc. I've volunteered to help out in the evenings after work, which should be fun! I'm looking forward to seeing some of the amazing artwork and maybe getting a few things myself!
Work has been busy, but the next few days are going to be ridiculous! Although our nests had a broad range of initiation events, they all seem to have hatched within three days of each other! Our big day is going to be tomorrow. Nestlings are tricky little things, and can only be banded when they are 7 days old. Before that, they are too small, after, they are too jumpy and may fledge early, which could be fatal. So... we have a long day ahead of us, after which we plan on heading to the Mad Trapper for drinks and dancing with our neighbours who are wrapping up their field season here in Inuvik this weekend.
And now there's only two more weeks up here! I can't believe how fast this field season has gone. But looking back at my pictures, I can see just how much we've done and how much has changed in such a short time! It's amazing.
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