Life in Inuvik, Northwest Territories

Here is some Gwich’in language stuff from Sir Alexander Mackenzie School in Inuvik.

Little signs like this help keep traditional language alive.

Things are really sprouting at the Inuvik Community Greenhouse these days.

Head on over to www.cbc.ca/northwind to hear some interviews with gardeners and see more pictures.

Here is something you often see in the arctic: babies being carried in back pouches.

Here are some stickers promoting Inuvialuit culture. They are distributed freely in town to promote the preservation of language.

This dog was enjoying the sun outside the Eagle Plains Hotel, around 1am.

This truck looks like a relic from WW2!

The best part of my Aboriginal Day (June 21) was playing drums with the Delta Good Time band late at night.

This style of “jigging music” is popular in the north: it has a quick beat like a galloping horse.

Be sure to note all the mosquitoes! There was a cloud of them descending on stage but people kept playing and dancing.

This video was taken around 1am, which really gives you an idea of the midnight sun.

(And yes, I am using electronic drums.)

Thanks to Ashli for filming and taking these pictures, and thanks to the band for letting me play!

(Here, some curious children are looking at the electronic drums and asking how they work. “Are you really playing the song?” One asked.)

Click here for a gallery of photos taken for CBC.ca, detailing Inuvik’s Aboriginal Day celebrations.

There was a traditional drum dance, fiddle tunes, a fish BBQ and many more activities, including a square dance under the midnight sun.

The internet presentation of photos on CBC is really beautiful, I love the interface.

You can also find my radio report (Approx. 6 minutes of sound and interviews) at www.cbc.ca/northwind

Some children were playing tag and getting away from “the monkey” on Aboriginal Day.

There is probably an interesting story behind this suit!

The E.Grubens’ transport logo is another classic: It brings to mind the US Postal service’s pledge about “neither rain nor sleet nor snow” stopping delivery.

“We’ll bring your products, even if we have to do it on foot in -40 degrees!”