They Don't Have Those in Vancouver!

My work today culminated in a presentation to a 5th grade class about Inuksuit, after which they created their own using rocks, paint and glue. For those of you who are new to the blog, Inuksuit are the piles of stones that are so often used to represent Inuit. Inuksuit is the plural form of inuksuk (eastern Arctic spelling)/inukshuk (English spelling)/enokhok (western Arctic spelling, because they did not use the letter s). They were used for several purposes, including to mark a sacred site or a burial place, to give direction, to welcome or just to show that people had been there. They can be found all over the Canadian Arctic, and every time I go out on the land I see a new one!

Sinclair paints a rock for his inuksuk

Lisa, who also works at the Heritage Society, showed me thiscommercial to use in my slide show. Her mom is the lady that speaks in Inuktitut!

Contrary to popular belief, the piles of stones shaped like people are not inuksuit. They are inunnguat (plural of inunnguaq). Inunnguat can be seen on both the Nunavut flag and the 2010 Vancouver Olympics logo, though one adept 5th grader pointed out that they don't have those in Vancouver!! : )

The Nunavut flag

The 2010 Olympic logo

I have several pre-med friends who have been asking about the healthcare situation up here. I was surprised to learn that there is no permanent doctor, dentist or veterinarian in Cambridge Bay. Every few weeks, these people will visit the community for appointments. Though medical attention is occasionally available, it is not enough for this community of 1,500 people. I have seen only two kids with braces, though more need them. Many people in their 40s are missing half of their teeth! Also, if someone has a medical emergency, he or she must be taken by Medevac to Yellowknife. Pregnant women are taken a month before their due date to Yellowknife to wait until their babies are born, meaning their families are not present for the occasion. It strikes me as odd that one of the largest communities in the Canadian Arctic does not even have a permanent doctor!

SPECIAL SHOUTOUT to my BN buds in Cheraw and Marion! I just got a very encouraging letter from Ben DeMarco that reminded me of how much I love all of you! I hope all is well in the South!