The Russians Are Coming!

Today was a slow day at the Heritage Society. I worked on the recycling video while the rest of the crew cleaned out the storage room. Then, we did what we at the Heritage Society are so fond of doing...we mooched. It was the last day of school for the students today, so the faculty held a barbecue, and of course, we attended.

Dana is 15 and Anne is her teacher, which explains the "look" : )

Today was also the day that report cards got handed out. It was an experience that was a bit of a culture shock for me; here is one of the conversations that I overheard.

"I think Ms. Smith just wanted to pass me because she didn't want me to come back to her class for a third time. I had a 30 at the mid-term, but now I have a 55."

Could you imagine if someone had that kind of grade back home? They would probably be a student with disciplinary issues, a learning disability or considered a "slacker." However, the girl who had this conversation is one of the brightest in her grade!

On the way home, I saw the fattest seagull I have ever seen in my life. Seriously, they're monstrous! I looked off in the distance, saw the DEW Line station, and realized that I have yet to further discuss the DEW Line!

The Cambridge Bay DEW Line Station

DEW (Distant Early Warning) Line stations were built about every 50 miles across the Arctic in the 1950s just in case the Russians decided to fly over the North Pole to attack. The Cambridge Bay site is unique because it was built close to an existing community. Though the presence of more people probably boosted the local economy, it also had negative impacts. American and southern Canadian soldiers brought TVs, microwaveable dinners and the rest of their "southern" ways of life to the area, ruining the unspoiled beauty of Inuit culture. Some people here conjecture that the DEW Line's establishment caused a lot of Cambridge Bay's modern social problems.

Today, the DEW Line is still manned by both American and Canadian soldiers. Although no one can be sure what they actually do there (it's top secret!), it is well-known that the cafeteria there is the most amazing food you will find in Cambridge Bay. I am hoping that I will be able to try out their famous Sunday brunch before I leave. : )

Here are some more good sites about DEW Line stations:

1. Wikipedia article
2. I don't know who Larry Wilson is, but he's got a lot of information about DEW Lines
3. This is a great article about attempts to clean up a DEW Line site.