Teachers Night In

As is customary on the week-ends, one of the teachers holds a pot-luck/dinner party. One such week-end we went to James' for supper. The following pictures give a glimpse into what our nightlife is like up here.

We were joined by Isabelle with her dog Aliana,

Sophie, a fellow secondary teacher,

and Igak, James' adorable puppy. In this photo she looks a bit like a Japanese toy.

Marilou, a primary teacher, was a joy to hang out with. However, being only on a part time contract, she has now returned south.

The Kangiqsujuaq hipsters.

James really loves that puppy!

Two hommies hanging out.

We knew the night was over when the girls decided to take a nap with the dogs.

miunguvunga Kangiqsujuaq!

Many children come over to bake with us and hang out. Here we have three very well behaved children with the names Putulik, Aupaluk and Leo.



On the right we have a child from my class (Neil) called Elaisa with her two younger brothers.


The golf course with the snow tipped mountains in the background. This is on September 16th. It is now October 11th and the ground is covered completely.


Glowing end to the day. I am still waiting to get a good picture of the northern lights. We have certainly seen some incredible ones!!


This building holds the community freezer where extra caribou meat etc.. would be held and is available to all. The other picture I took did not really turn out but there was another 40 caribou skins drying out on the roof.

We babysat these kids, Jamie and Madeline, one night. Their mother Marion is a fellow teacher who has called Kangiqsujuaq home for 10 years now. Madeline is in grade 2 and is fluent in spoken English and Inutttitut, and her mother plans on putting her in French in two years time. Already very perceptive and quick, skies the limit for her in a few years time. Jamie is quite the character and definately keeps you on your toes.


Madeline and Jamie showed up the following week-end to present us with, our payment for the babysitting, two snow geese. We shared the geese with several other teachers this Thanksgiving and it was delicious.

Some more views from the qarqaq

Qarqaq means hill in Inuktituk, and the views from these hills were amazing.


Here lies the bay with the Hudson strait in the distance.


As many people know, Inukshuks were created by the Inuit as directional markers and as result signify safety, hope and friendship.




The tundra in the area is full of flowers at this time of year. In addition small blueberries, blackberries and aapiks (yellow berries close to raspberries but seedier) dot the land and everyone here will spend time picking them. This photo gives one a good idea of the size of our village.

Teacher day out

Some of the teacher's from Arsaniq school (which refers to the northern lights) decided to get away from the kids for a few hours. From left to right, Isabelle, Sophie, James and Moi (Neil). Sayard obviously took the picture.


Tuk-Tuk. Inuktitut for caribou. This one seemed to have lost the nearly 1 million strong herd that roams Nunavik and is surely in the belly of some wolf by now.


Taking it in on a gorgeous day.


James.

The other side of the mountain

James, Mark and Papigatuk are boys in grade 6 and 7 that came over to our house for muffins one sunday and then I followed them up over the hill where they filled me in on the names of animals and plants in Inuktitut.


Inukshuk with the lake in the background. This lake is the main source of drinking water for the residents.


I was immediately struck by how quiet it was on the other side. You begin to realize the comfort we take in some form of noise around us at all times. Literally all my ears could pick up on this windless day was a falcon in her nest on the opposite side of the lake.


The boys tried hard to get me to jump in. Wimpy Qallunaat! (English southerner)


James and the waterfall.

Kangiqsujuaq

After the frenzy of Scotland, Sayard and I have begun a new experience in the northern reaches of our native land teaching English. Kangiqsujuaq is aptly named as it means large bay in the Inuit language of Inuktitut. It is nestled in a cove 10 kilometers from the Hudson Strait in the northern region of Quebec known as Nunavik. Every time we step outside we can't get over how amazing this place is.

Here is a glimpse of our village.

We live in the blue house on the left. Our apartment is on the bottom floor to the right. It is a nice place, with a spectacular view of the golf course and the surrounding mountains.

Neil enjoying a game of golf in our front yard.

Last Night

In honour of our going away, we headed out to Korovas for one last hurrah!

Sayard and Natalie getting in some last minute quality time together.

Neil and Chris doing much of the same, just less girly.

These sisters are sure going to miss each other!!!

The girls.

Here we are hitting the dance floor one last time. Knowing full well that, once up North, there will be no nights out dancing.

The wedding

On July 29th, 2006 Sayard's cousin Kevin got married.

Sayard was very lucky to have been included in the wedding party as a bridesmaid fro Christina.

The happy married couple.

The godparents with Leanne the flower girl.

On this very hot day we took a breather in the shade before the big party began.

The reception was held at Blair's apple orchard in Franklin Qc., which was very lovely.

Leanne's belated birthday gift

The lucky seven year old was driven all the way to Toronto for a trip to Canada's Wonderland!

Where she got to go on lots of roller-coasters.

Spend quality time with Sayard and Neil.

And best of all, meet Sponge Bob!!

While in the area we also decided to take a trip up to Bracebridge to visit our good friend Carrie. She was working over here for the summer, and we couldn't pass up the chance to see her before she flew back to Scotland.

After a busy, fun-filled weekend, Leanne was one tired, but happy, little girl.

Lazy days of summer

With only a month between our arrival back home, and our departure to the north, we tried to get as many lazy summer days in as possible.

Sayard's family headed to the ocean for a few days.

Where Sayard and Cindel enjoyed lounging on the beach.

We also headed to the Adirondacks with Jay and Shanon for some canoe camping.

The weather was so nice we hung out in the water all day.

Even if you hate camping, this was the weekend to die for.

The last stretch

Both Neil and I have finished our final placements, and we only have 2 weeks left until we officially become teachers.
Below is a picture of us standing in front of the entrance to Old Moray House. Now you have some sort of idea of where we have been 'schooling' this last year.



We are looking forward to coming home, but there is no doubt that we will miss this place.