Sure, it was 8:45 in the morning…yes, it was 8:45 on a Monday morning…but I would have thought that at least two people would have showed up on time for the environmental class. As it was, five of them eventually trickled in, but it was very difficult to accomplish anything, since I had to explain the tasks to a student five times. This recycling project experience has been great for showing me the attitudes regarding education here, as well as the difficulties of being a teacher in this community. I have seen how enthusiastic the students can be when they are given responsibilities and opportunities to encourage changes in their communities. On the flip side, I have also seen how low a priority school is to them. To be honest, I think this is the one Northern issue that I will never fully be able to comprehend. I understand the reasons why the past has led to this current state, but I do not understand why this generation does not believe it can change.
Today marked the circulation of the second edition of the Cambridge Bay weekly newsletter. I, along with other community members, was taken aback by the the RCMP (Canadian police force) briefs included in this edition. Not surprisingly, all of the incidents, which included impaired driving, domestic assaults and drug possession, were all somehow related to excessive alcohol consumption. The shocking part of it all was that the ages of the victims and accused were included, as well as the streets on which they live. In a community this small, it will not take long to figure out who these people are. Perhaps this is a good thing, though; maybe people will adjust their actions accordingly.
Just in case you’re wondering after reading the above paragraph, Cambridge Bay is an extremely safe community. Random acts of violence simply do not occur here (sadly, incidents are usually between family members). Even stealing, though it occurs, seems to occur less frequently. For example, the students at the high school leave their muddy boots and athletic shoes at the door. They may borrow other people’s shoes for gym class, but they always put them back, and no one cares. This system still amazes me, but rather appreciate the fact that I can leave my shoes at the door and come back at the end of the day to discover them right where I left them.
Shoes
Speaking of shoes, I broke out my rainboots for the first time today because the puddles are threatening to take over the town! : ) I never thought I would say this, but I am a little sad to see the ice go.
Monster Puddle
After work, I went to the gym for the first time. Tucked in the corner of the hamlet offices, it is a one room facility with weights, two ellipticals and two stationary bikes. I was a little surprised there weren’t any treadmills, but more surprised that I was the only person there for most of my workout. Eventually, another girl about my age came in as well, and since she had an iPod, I shut off the radio in the corner which I had turned on to keep me company. I chose from the three available stations, which included talk radio, more talk radio, and a local station that plays old country and folk music, with a little ABBA and Seal sprinkled in. Let me tell you, working out to Bob Dylan and “Just a Closer Walk With Thee” is quite an experience! While I was working out, I thought of an idea: If you have some free time and enough money for shipping, I would love it if someone could send me an audio tape of their favorite workout music! The old boombox in the gym only plays tapes, and as much as I love working out to Bob Dylan, I would love your contribution more!
My mailing address is:
Abbey Bucher
Box 1209
Cambridge Bay, Nunavut XOBOCO
By the way, if you’d like to listen to a Northwestern Territories station online, you can go to nscnwt.com...This isn’t the same one I was listening to, but it is aboriginal programming!
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