Nain Bay

2012-01-31T13:16:00.004-04:00

Someone from Hamilton Ontario recently Googled mv Dutch Runner for sale.

2012-01-31T05:57:00.000-04:00

DD&D Torngats style. Some left over prime rib, onion green pepper gravy on bread for Fran. Hamburger, onion green pepper mushroom gravy with sour cream chive pasta for me.
DD&D is a one of the favorite shows on the food network.

Another tragedy in the making, this time a young boy is missing in Makkovik. No sign of the lad after he left his grandmothers house on ski doo for the 3 minute drive to his house.

2012-01-30T08:19:00.000-04:00

Sunday was less a steely gray day and more a brushed aluminum looking day. Low foggy looking clouds and a fine snow falling that melted as soon as it hit your cloths still it was nice for walking.

Another tragedy struck Saturday night. A young woman who went missing earlier in the evening was found perished in the community.

I do not know the circumstances that lead to this sad death, just that we knew the family [mom and dad] and that the young woman, who had a young child, always went out of her way to make a fuss of Siutik and let her nuzzle the baby whenever we passed on the streets.

2012-01-28T06:05:00.000-04:00

Its as quite as the grave out there now.

Not so bloody quite from about 1 to 3 am though.Dumb ass people driving around and around on ski doos. Not going anywhere just annoying people trying to sleep. According to Facebook lots of people upset with gas being stolen from machines, complaints about private property being damaged and the like.

Will anything be done about it? Not likely.

As you can see I took a large first bite out of my bagel, cream cheese, smoked char, green onion with beer chaser.

I have been following a growing problem of loitering and open drug dealing up in Iqaluit on tweeter for some time.
People hang around the entrance to two stores up there. Being so far away it was difficult to get a true handle on what was going on, but it seemed to me the people who had authority were just shrigging their shoulders and not dealing with it.

That seems to be changing as this story points out. If the homeless are the main culprits then shame on the authorities for letting it get this bad. If drug dealers are the main culprits then shame on the cops.

2012-01-27T10:06:00.000-04:00

I am on the cautiously optimistic side this morning. I don’t want to step into anyone’s private space but felt compelled to share this Facebook post shown below.

It was posted by a young woman here in Nain, many of her friends commented on the post, all in the positive.

Elder abuse is a problem that is not spoken about much, and it should be. I commend this woman and her friends for hopefully starting the process of getting it out into the open.

Perhaps the powers that be will pick up on this conversation and start leading.

Dont have much time for facebook lately, thats a good thing right...or am I missing out. Just came to log in to share about how I think elders abuse can get sickening sometimes, not fit. For example, how can a young abled man send out an elder in like minus 40 temperatures to go to the store to buy darn JUNK food. Its hard not to get upset when you see things like that happening. Enough of that negativity, on the brighter note....I will be available to give rides for the elderly here in Nain tomorrow morning. If you know a senior that needs a ride to the store, gas station, hospital or need water fetched...please dont hesitate to call [phone number deleted by Nain Bay] for a lift. Or if you need to run errands for an elder, give me a shout...nakummek.

For the decades I have been living here I, and others, have held out hope that the younger generations coming along will become involved in local and regional government and start the process of Inuit taking charge. Making the hard choices and looking after their people’s interest no matter their social or monetary status.

To date I have been disappointed.

Some things have been going on behind the official scene that is encouraging. Many younger folk are not waiting for approval from the puppet masters; they are starting to do things on their own initiative, the above being just one.

Several have joined the crises response team, on the encouragement of Fran not officialdom I might add. Others have joined the volunteer firefighters, other are talking on social media and phoning talk back shows.There is activity I have missed too, but I encourage all.

Let’s hope they don’t get put down as has happened in the past [this is the cautious part, been bitten in the arse too many times I guess].

2012-01-26T09:26:00.000-04:00

"CANADA - Terre d'aventure, des glaces de l'Arctique aux Iles de l'Atlantique" filmé en 2011

A documentary filmed in September 2011 with media aboard Le Boreal’s maiden voyage to Nunatsiavut (traveling the coastline and visiting Rigolet) has been developed for French audiences and will be aired:on French TV channel VOYAGES on January 26^th, January 29^th, February 2^nd and February 9^th.

2012-01-26T05:22:00.000-04:00

The communities trail groomer ~~snow plow~~ was doing the rounds yesterday afternoon for the first time this season. Not sure why this day was chosen, I would think it only coincidental that two members of the Cains Quest snowmobile race were in town for talks about the upcoming race.

I have not died but I am sure close to cheese heaven at the moment. A friend and long time researcher in the area is in town for a couple days.
He came barring chocolates and magazines for Fran and a big bag of assorted cheeses for me. Timely too as my last cheese shipment from the south was almost depleted.
Included were some exotic cheese, from Ireland two porter [Guinness] laced ones, a Brillo Vino flavored one, three aged cheddar's, parmigiarno riggiano and an Oka semi soft.

The warming trend is still with us, nice low to mid -teens with -20 chills.

Happy Australia day to me, or what is left of it down under and a very Happy Birthday to daughter Stephanie.

2012-01-25T14:51:00.000-04:00

Nunatsiaq News

24-year-old Noah Nochasak, left, of Nain, Labrador, and writer/photographer Jerry Kobalenko plan to set out next month on a 550-kilometre walking expedition from Nunatsiavut to Kangiqsualujjuaq, Nunavik. Both experienced Arctic travellers, the pair plans to do the hike over the period of a month, hauling about 225 pounds of gear with them. Read about their trip later this week at www.nunatsiaqonline.ca.

2012-01-25T05:47:00.002-04:00

Nice little warming trend; -11, -18 chill, light snow falling. Everybody happy about that for sure.
Good bit of fresh powder on ground, not sure if I will go out with the banjo or wait for the forecasted wind later in day to deal with it.

When I heard that some snowmobilers were overdue traveling from Hopedale to Natuashish on Sunday I thought something was odd.
Like who leaves on a trip in a ragging blizzard.

Well now we know why.

Talk about stupid and irresponsible, if they want to risk their own lives for some easy bucks go ahead, but for christ sake don't pout the lives of others at risk. These yobos should be made an example of by the law and the band members at Natuashish.

Later: If anyone has an E Reader then here are some photographic books that may interest you, the ones on Nain that is. Buddy had a link on Facebook.

I have been thinking on purchasing an e book for a bit, not sure what to buy, Kindle or ~~Nook~~ Kindle. It will come to me someday.

Well.ca and Canada Post.

2012-01-24T05:55:00.000-04:00

The last two orders I have made with Well.ca I had shipped to Goose Bay. This saves me the $30:00 minimum mailing charges for orders under $300:00.

Fortunately, I then get the package up to Nain free of charge. I do not want to continue doing this; I find it unfair to the good folks in GB what with putting them out picking the order up from the post office and then arranging to get it up to me.

I don’t mind paying for the shipping, but I still am of the opinion that Can Post is unreasonable with shipping rates into rural remote communities.

I have done cost comparisons before, here is the latest.

The two recent orders from Well.ca were of comparable $ value, around the 156 $ mark.. Both were comparable in size and weight to be shipped. The following was taken from the Can Post web site.

The most recent shipping dimensions were: 27.09x36.8x15.2 cm weight 3.33 KG.

Shipped from: N1E 6Y9 to A0P 1C0.

Base cost $13:44

Fuel surcharge $00:97

Tax $1.87

For total of: $16.28.

Seeing as Well.ca ships for free to everywhere other that rural and remote locations Well.ca absorbs this shipping cost.

If I had asked to send the package direct to my address I would have had to pay the $30:00 minimum ship charges.

According to Can Post the cost for the package from N1E 6Y9 to A0P 1L0 would have been:

Base cost $30:61

Fuel surcharge $2:22

Tax $4:27

For total cost of $37:10.

So according to those figures Well.ca still absorbs $7:27 shipping costs to Nain.

Now if I wanted to get the package shipped to Goose Bay with shipping paid by Well.ca, picked up at post office and re mailed to me [A0P 1C0 to A0P 1L0] the cost would be:

Base cost $19:27

Fuel surcharge $1:40

Tax $2:69

For total cost of $23:36.

I am still saving 6 $ and change doing it this way.

The orders are expedited quite fast and get to Goose Bay ground transport, hence the low fuel surcharge.

There has to be some way round these high air freight charges.

There are entities in place that could lower the cost of living within Nunatsiavut if there was a will.

In the absence of those entities taking an interest several local ladies have banned together to make a bulk order from Well.ca. These women have babies and young children. With the absence of many drug store items and the lack of verity many people shop on line for these things.

So by making an order over 300$ these ladies will save more on shipping as Well.ca charges just $20:00 for orders over $300:00.

Perhaps this is the way forward, people forming local consumer buying co ops, or clubs, call it what you will.

I have had discussions on this in the past but nothing eventuates, always other distractions or no one wants to take the lead.

2012-01-23T06:21:00.003-04:00

Wow, hard oh Sunday: Wind chills down to the low -30's until 2 pm when they took a drop into the -40 to -44 right through to this morning. The wind and chill warning has ended this morning so a balmy -30 chill or so for the day.

My throttle on the ski doo was frozen too, had to go down to the airstrip so thawed it out with the heat gun. Siutik was keen to be out but not in that wind, she did agree to go for a run [with me on ski doo], a quick role in the snow on return and the rest of the day indoors, smart dog.

Update: One wonders what constitutes wind and chill warnings at Enviro Canada. Warnings have been down several hours yet it is still 68 to 74 K from WNW with -41 wind chill..

K to 3 closed and planes are on hold.

Upertydate: Wind dropped right off by 9:30, see what wind chill will be @ 10.

10: OK to go out now, dropped to -34 chill, practically balmy.

2012-01-21T06:15:00.000-04:00

As mentioned on twitter, deadly eats going on there.

Ribs and drumsticks in the stove top smoker last evening.

Put a dry rub on the ribs and into the fridge for 24 hours. Injected marinade into the drumsticks and into the fridge for 3 hours.

Smoked [oak] the ribs for 1 hour, the drumsticks for 45 minutes.

Smothered ribs with BBQ sauce and into the oven for 45 minutes. Drumsticks for 1/2 an hour.

Served with a beef based rice and spinach.

As buddy said; deadly eats going on there.

2012-01-20T06:10:00.000-04:00

It is turning into a sea food week at the house, last night was poached char [Nain] snow crab [Makkovik] with mashed spud, peas and home made tarter sauce.

Today maybe pigs trotters.

Just kidding about the trotters of course. Those are Siutiks paws showing the abundence of hair insulating her paw pads. Her coat is lush also, not looking forward to the shedding.

Having said that I would not mind a feed of trotters, when younger it was a favorite, with myself and my father at least. You would buy the cooked trotters at any delicatessen and eat them cold, tasty snack for sure.

The storm yesterday was a fizzer for us as winter storms go. Lot of wind with chills down to -30, not that much snow, Makkovik seems to have coped the bulk of the snow and wind. Goose Bay lots of snow, again.
For Nain 4 wheel vehicles are still driving around, that is amazing considering the council has not graded or used the trail groomer on the roads since Christmas. Another one of those on going puzzles.

Now we are into the clear and cold again, well colder than yesterday with -36 chills.

2012-01-19T07:58:00.000-04:00

Nice looking fillet of cod eh? Looks like just out of the water, which it is, frozen water.Fried up nice after dipping in egg wash then flour/cornmeal then fried in combo of salt pork [for the flavor] and olive oil. .

Bit of a storm on the go, mainly south of Hopedale all sorts of closures, here we have wind and very light snow at moment. Must be something more expected as the school is closed K to 12.
The little guys sure but the bigger ones not so sure. We have had worse storms without closure, hard call to make I guess.

Which reminds me of this little anecdote. There was once a teacher here who had trouble with the school closing at all, no matter what the conditions. He claimed that the kids would go out and play anyway when the school closed. Some kids may have but not all.

When someone offered the it was a bit much to ask younger kids who lived furthermost from the school to walk into -30 to 50 blizzards the bloke replied, just tell them to walk backwards. True story.

Stop these capitalist oil crazies from destroying our world.

2012-01-18T10:25:00.000-04:00

2012-01-18T06:11:00.000-04:00

I'm feeling so healthy and revitalized and green party'ish after last nights meal.

I wanted something easy to prepare but not sure what. Asked Fran for some options, lo and behold quiche was recommended.

Some times these junk mail flyers come in handy, had one promoting cheese as a healthy alternative.

One recipe was for Gouda, green pea and sweet potato pie, or frittata baked in the oven or a crestless quiche. I substituted bacon for the peas and beside the Gouda added some Havarti.
Fran does not like hot shrimp so I added some of those tiger prawns to my half of the dish. Good prawns are great in omelets and rice dishes, but Fran insists on pushing them aside, even Siutik rejects prawns, my good fortune.
Served with a cabbage slaw with dried cranberries and walnuts along with tomatoes/olives drowned in olive oil.

The bottom two photographs were twittered to my by Mitchel White, he thought I'd like a look at them. They are of the first session of the NG assembly held in the new assembly building in Hopedale. Sent by android I tweaked then for contrast and clarity.

I had to ask the question, the one about the awful pink looking table. As I thought it is the speakers chair, and it seems someone forgot the golden rule of carpentry, measure twice and cut one. Not the first mistake in the construction of this building for sure, part of the roof section, shaped like an igloo also had 'fitting' issues. So I guess all these add up to the reason the official opening has been delayed.

Any way you can see the observation area above in one picture, the floor is impressive being of anorthosite tiles. I have seen photos of the entrance and stair way too, not sure what to make of it all, have to see it in person..

i

To date I have received three comments on yesterday posting. One is up in comments section, another agrees with my condemnation of the trip to the Galapagos Islands and was via e mail and the other shall remain anonymous too. It was supportive of my right to express my views and encourages the exchange of ideas, it was in support of the trip to Galapagos, which I strongly disagree with and I sent supportive evidence as to why that is.

2012-01-17T09:08:00.000-04:00

With the newest national park just up the coast from here, and Nain being the administration center for the park, I pay a passing interest on the goings on. I find this article interesting on the big picture of Parks Canada but it also has similarities of what has been going on regards the Torngat park.

Some say that the almost 450 grand for two consultation contracts is a bit much. That may be or maybe not.

What I would like to see is a breakdown of consultants fees associated with the establishment and operation of the Torngat park to date, as well as fees associated with developing tourism in Nunatsiavut in general.

For whatever is going on it does not seem to be developing tourism that well.

I briefly attended two tourism workshops the last few years, they were overloaded with consultants, some who did not have a clue about tourism in remote and northern locals. At one of these some Inuit from Quebec broached some ideas and criticism of the 'consultants' and their ideas, that did not go over very well indeed.

One infamous consultant had the bright idea of taking a group of Labrador Inuit and local tourism business people to the Galapagos Islands on a fact finding trip. Needles to say said consultant went along to guide the poor little Inuks in this misguided venture/boondoggle. I believe 250 grand was blown on that trip alone.

In the intervening years all sorts of 'consultants' and tourism operator types have come through here on the way to the park, along with untold numbers of 'VIP's' and the like.
The result to date is very few tourists heading to the park, and not that many more visiting the coastal communities.

All those nice positive videos of people in the park are a smoke screen from a tourism development point of view. The majority of folks up there to date are researchers or folks there on the government dime.

Speaking to several tourists who have made it into the park they speak of too many road blocks. These road blocks vary from the provinces tourist information people to the crowd that handle the bookings for the park itself.
Some were told when developing their trip that there was no bookings available for their time frame. Low n behold when said tourists made there way up north another way they discover plenty of empty tents within the base camp of the park. I wonder what the real reason was for being told there were no vacancies?

Mind you all who are fortunate to get up there are all blown away with the majestic rugged beauty of the place, as well as enamored with the local people who are there in menial rolls.

Now I have an inkling of the logistics and costing that it takes to get up here and onto the park, as well as acknowledging that the park is new and NG is almost new.

But so much is done in secrete without any public input or public exposure. It is after all ALL public funds that go into operating both the park and NG, so people have a right to know, alas the media don’t seem to take an interest, except to cover the goody goody two shoes everything is bright and rosy aspect of the park and NG.

It could be that moves are under foot to correct some of the stumbles of the past years. It could be that the people with the right skill sets are being recruited to give advice and direction, I think it is time for the yes sir no sir three bags full types are given the heave ho.

Also problematic are some who are portrayed as advocates for Inuit Culture and values but in truth do not give a rat’s arse for Inuit culture and values. They are more interested in their own ego boosting and having control and protecting their perceived turf.

The 7 % drop in park attendance mentioned in the article most likely does not include Torngat, what with it being early days. But much can be done to boost tourist interest and participation in this area.

One thing that could be considered is; come to terms with the fact that the base camp being used for both research and tourism is not working. At the moment research takes precedence, this leads to many issues vis a vis tourists not being happy with the control and operation at the base camp. Incidentally the high turnover of base camp managers has to be troubling as well.

People with knowledge of what is going on are essential at point of first contact with potential tourists. Things like, “I will have to check on that and get back to you”, makes people a little hesitant and wary.

As I say things may be in the works to improve things, but from past knowledge things move very slow within bureaucracies, especially within NG.

I imagine I will not make many friends and influence people in certain circle bringing these things up, which is OK as I know they are not my friends and I have no influence as it is.

But I feel strongly that putting these things out into the public domain can do more good than harm.

A recent example of this was the recent attempt by the council in Happy Valley Goose Bay to ram through a bogus development project for a construction camp close by residential area.

The proletariat became incensed and took on the councilors and the mayor who supported the decision resulting in them backtracking big time with egg all over their faces.

I wont go on; my point is the all this secrecy and control does no good for the democratic process, then again maybe that is the whole point in doing so.

So if anyone has an issue with what I have written, or any corrections to offer please do not hesitate to say so in any medium you wish, I have no turf to protect or ego to boost.

2012-01-16T06:27:00.001-04:00

That was a day to be indoors [yesterday], blowing snow, clear sky, wind chills from -36 to -32.
Even Siutik did not make a fuss to go out and play, she was content with the odd bathroom break and lay around or sit at the window watching the vortex blowing snow in circles outside the living room window.
She did get plenty of exercise Saturday with a couple of runs, a walk and some running around me in circles.

Similar weather for today and the rest of the week it seems.

I had a prime rib roast out for yesterdays evening meal, but then thought about maybe using the new stove top smoker to try it out.

I had already applied a dry rub and let it sit for about 3 hours.

After some Google searches I was apprehensive about smoking a larger piece of meat, most forums were saying that their smokers did not impart the smoke into the meat adequately. Some said theirs poached more than smoke.

Bugger it I said to self, give it a go anyway. I did borrow one bit of advice. After starting the smoking process on the stove top I then put it into a low oven [300] for two hours.

The result was meat well done, just as Fran likes, but it was tender and still moist. The smell of the smoke in the kitchen was apparent but not overwhelming and there was not a hint of actual smoke.

So all in all a good result. ashtongreen.com have several sizes of the smokers plus the special wood chips, no soaking and only use 1 to 2 tablespoons for each use. Looking forward to doing some fish, and of course ribs.

Going to have to drag myself out for some banjo practice today, will have to use the steel job instead of the plastic one, that blowing snow really packs in tight.

Bloody amazing video,

2012-01-15T11:25:00.000-04:00

not much of that going on out there in this weather though.

2012-01-15T06:28:00.000-04:00

A two day respite from the extreme cold was welcome, temps in the high minus teens with light snow falling for most part, really nice.
Now we are back to blowing snow and cold wind chills in the high minus 30's.

Partridge soup 2201,

2012-01-14T09:29:00.000-04:00

with dough-boys.
There are variances of how I cook partridge soup, or stew, this is the basics that I used yesterday.
Going by the pictures in order: First gut and clean the birds [if your lucky enough to have them given you already plucked]. Separate the heat, gizzard and liver and clean, clean the inside of bird thoroughly under running water.

I then soak the whole or dissected bird in water with about a teaspoon of white vinegar. This is not essential, just he way I do it and I have had no complaints.

I then sauteed the sections in some pork fat and olive oil until brown all over. Remove sections if neccesary and brown the rest.

Add some diced onions, you can add peppers and garlic at this time, but for this one I left those out.

Put all the birds back into pot and add water and or chicken stock or bullion cubes to cover.

Bring to a boil, then lower to simmer and leave for an hour minimum with the lid on.

Make up your dough-boys, bring the pot back up to boiling, add the boys and cover pot immediately and lower heat to simmer. Fran's mom taught me that.
I add the rice at this time as well, about 3/4 to a cup depending on how much liquid is in the pot.

Simmer for half an hour, serve and enjoy.

2012-01-13T16:50:00.000-04:00

Here is the CBC Lab Morning clip of the Omatik group, and an OKS brief on same subject.

2012-01-13T10:13:00.001-04:00

On one controversial topic I think I do have all my ducks in a row: That would be the provincial oil tank replacement program. Talk about convoluted and bad policy decisions as it pertains to Northern Labrador.

Personally I have not problem with having a safe and environmentallysecure oil tank. It was the long drawn out process and the somewhat arbitrary way government went about it. Plus the famous [due diligence] that the present premier used to go on about that was not evident as it pertains to Northern Labrador that miffed most people.

I could go on and on with the links, but you get the point I hope.

Initially no consideration was given to our remote location, cost of shipping, availability of qualified people to do the job or the insistence on qualified inspectors, non were available in Labrador in the early years of the program. Miraculously in the lead up to the last election these qualified people were discovered, though not without a hiccup.

The hiccup was that we were initially contacted by phone and by mail of the availability of the program and explaining that the government would help to defray some of the costs. Also that if we did not update or replace our oil tanks then they would be deemed illegal and it would be breaking the law to fill them.

Seeing that I needed a new oil tank any way I signed on to the program with the understanding that the cost would be $1,800:00 for the tank, parts, shipping, pre inspection, installation and post inspection.

Then just prior to the last election [is there a coincidence forming?] we received a phone call from the same civil servant as previous informing us of the good news that seeing as the lowest bid for the instillation and post inspections had come in under estimate we now only had to pay $1, 000:00, a saving of $800:00.

Subsequently I had a conversation with the then MHA [now ex MHA] and a big deal was made about the good fortune of us only having to pay $1,000:00 now.

Fast forward to after the last election.

Not having any contact personally from the government officials, and seeing as winter was fast approaching and no details of timing of installation had been forth coming I took the liberty of phoning the winning bid firm in Goose Bay.

I was shocked when told that that firm was no longer interested in the contract, after some questioning I was told the reasons were complicated and that the government was being unreasonable and the like.

In the next couple of days we hear via the media {no personal contact this time] that ooops, the low bid contractor was no longer available to do the work so another contractor was chosen [the next lowest bidder we were told] and that now we were up for an extra $800:00, the total amount of the original deal.

Needless to say the doo doo hit the fan big time.

Still no contact from government officials: So I fire off an e mail to the newly elected MHA for Menihek and newly appointed minister for Labrador and aboriginal affairs.

The responding e mail was full of bureaucratic stuff justifying the government’s incompetence with no apologies for misleading the public with the phone call promising the $1, 000:00 price tag. And most of all no apologies for not doing due diligence prior to selecting the original contractor, you see the minister/government said publicly that the original winning bid contractor did not have the qualifications to carry out the work.

So now I have the oil tank installed, it was done this past Tuesday. Still no contact from any government official, I’m not sure if any one else has had contact but I would doubt it.

There are some issues that still need to be talked about, mainly to hopefully avoid all the pit falls and incompetence’s of the last several years in developing this program. I know, it is fruitless some will say. But I am a great believer [though at times a non believer] that things can change and governments will do what is right and fair for constituents.

I think one thing that needs looking at is why local contractors or individuals could not have carried out the installation work. I am sure each community has those individuals, you just had to take the time to seek them out and with minimal training or instruction they would be more than capable of doing the work.

If a little younger and with a good back I could have done the work myself. I know for sure there are people here who could do the work and need the work.

This could have lowered the cost significantly. No travel costs, no hotel and meals to pay for the two individuals who came in from Goose Bay to do the work.

My guesstimet is that in the 6 grand region could have been saved for Nain alone. I guess the airline and hotel operators would be a little unhappy, but I am sure they would consider the greater good.

Even with government insistence on pre and post inspection local people could have been certified to do that work.

By the way NL government is not the only one with such a program.

I also think that the 200 or so gallon tank supplied is too big for this area. More and more people cannot afford to fill these tanks as the price of oil increases. Only very few can afford the $1,400:00 plus to fill these things. I know there are environmental 100 gallon tanks on the market, why not the choices?

Again the lack of consideration for the geographics and logistics of our location.

To top all that off we will now have a situation where some people [a minority in this town] will have legal oil tanks and the rest will not have legal oil tanks. What will the government do then one wonders?

For now that’s it from me and that’s it from him.

2012-01-13T05:55:00.002-04:00

I’m feeling like writing something controversial. There are a number of topics that meet that criterion; alas I feel I need to get more ducks lined up before committing to writing on them.

Yesterday was some darn cold on a consistent basis. The cold keep most people who intended to go off wooding stay home warm safe and sound.

But not all: A newly formed volunteer group called Omatik had committed to going and getting wood for seniors on the 12th..

There is also an audio interview with two of the volunteers recorded on the CBC Lab Morning show yesterday.

A fellow up interview would be more than interesting.

With the weather as it was I felt for sure this would be postponed.

No sir, five ski doo’s [not sure how many people] took off as planed and came back with wood.

The logs were then cut and junked up for delivery. My hat goes off to those who took part and an extra tip for going off on such an inhospitable day as yesterday. Wind chills were in the -45 to -33 ranges while they were gone. Most of the time it in the -40’s.

Weather is headed for a warming trend, and possibly some snow, for the weekend, then back into clear and cold next week.

Update on the Omatik group: CBC had an interview with one of the participants this morning, I will link it when up.
Seems only three ski doos went with five people on board. They started out with three komatiks but one gave out on the way out, so only two loads of wood was available which is better than a kick in the pants.

2012-01-12T06:29:00.000-04:00

Yeeew, down into the -40's today, -42 being the lowest so far. As time passes I find i have less tolerance for this weather, -20 with no wind is ideal, but this is the pits.

There was a time when we had three ski doos, one [550cc Ski doo] was work related, a 440cc ski doo and a Yamaha bravo.
One of my tasks was to go out in the mornings and start them up to warm up the engines. No easy task at times as all ski doos have there own temperaments.

One morning sticks in my memory, it was -60 wind chill, that is minus sixty. Within seconds of going out my face was frozen and by the time I got back inside it was almost frozen solid, hands were painfull to as the frost withdrew from them.
But I did get all three machines going.

Seems many are having trouble with stating and keeping their machines going in this weather. Particularly bothersome are the some of the four strike models, some have water coolants and engine block heaters. For our weather and for the logistics of getting machines serviced [computers and the like] the old 2 stroke engine with a minimal of gizmos is the way to go.

I hear that there is also a lot of chatter about the new caribou hunting restrictions. Some sensible chatter and some not all that clever. Why insist on you aboriginal rights when a certain species is at risk. One bothersome argument is: "if they have a three animal limit per household over in George River why cant we have three". If these people just took a moment to think about the possible whys then it would save some aggravation.

I found this ~~muscle~~ mussel over brain story interesting, the poor old navy cant seem to catch a break, except when a ship leaves for deployment overseas most of the stories seem to be in the negative. They sure do throw good many after bad in many instances.

2012-01-11T06:14:00.000-04:00

A brief respite from the intense cold yesterday, but back in the deep freeze again today -39 chill.

Hunting related stories seem to be the order of the week. A moose cull in western Newfoundland has finished for the time being.

Nunatsiavut Government issued a press release yesterday in answer to the declining George River caribou herd.

Nunatsiavut Government

George River Caribou Harvesting Recommendations

For Labrador Inuit Settlement Area

In light of all the current scientific information regarding of the status of the George River Caribou Herd and the traditional knowledge gathered from community consultations, the Nunatsiavut Government is encouraging Beneficiaries of the Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement and communities to use self-constraint and to monitor harvest levels. The Nunatsiavut Government also recommends:

· A caribou harvest of no more then 2 animals per household.

· A season closure date of March 20, 2012 for all zones except the George River zone.

· A season closure date of April 15, 2012 for the George River Caribou Zone.

Please note that the provincial laws of general application apply to all areas outside of the Labrador Inuit Settlement Area.

Please keep in mind that conservations measures taken today will ensure the resource for future generations.

For more information, please contact:

Renewable Resource Director: Rebecca Willcott at (709)-896-8582

Wildlife Manager: James Goudie at (709)-479-1043

This drastic cut back seems necessary but will impact many families severely once the caribou are handy. Going from the usual 6 to 12 caribou to 2 will be a hard pill to swallow, lets hope everybody adheres to the recommendations.

The contrast within Nunatsuavut and areas under provincial jurisdiction are not that great, outside NG licenses are required for a fee, enforcement is in place, one animal per license, no transfer of licenses for starters.

There is also a fear that illegal hunting of Labrador based animals by Quebec based hunters will continue this year. A legitimate concern and one that is politically motivated, lets hope the NL politicians handle it better this year if it happens.

No news yet on whether the Labrador Innu will conform with provincial regulations or set their own limits.

On a non hunting topic: a helpful hand is being extended to seniors and some folk not so fortunate to be dragged up in the mini economic boom.

Kudos to those involved in setting up this project, and to anyone who offers to help.

2012-01-10T07:42:00.002-04:00

Nice crisp January Labrador morning, in the mid to high minus teens.

In a fellow up to the recent Narwhal harvest there is this brief from CKOK. It would have been nice to hear how the person was chosen to keep the tusk, after all there were many out there helping.

Contrast that with this little ditty from down in Vermont. We have been down that way a couple of time, some purty part of the country with many wild and wooden places.
With the school authority insisting on shutting down information and any public debate it is hard to say who is right. But it does seem that hunting is part of the culture down there and it would seem that hunting would be an important part of 'life skills' training.

Carter has it all figured out,

2012-01-09T08:39:00.000-04:00

he has taken to 'disappearing' on occasion. When hunted down he is sitting in a closet or a cupboard with a little 'snack' in his hand.
Photo from cell phone and edited by me.

2012-01-09T05:50:00.000-04:00

Good oh January weather is with us,clear and bloody cold it is.
Blustery winds kept us indoors for the most part yesterday. I took a little stroll with Siutik down to the store for some smokes for Fran.
Siutik was her usual keen self getting out the door, after coming back into those gusty winds she was more than happy to be inside again.It was -39 chill at the time.
Being a Sunday and not much traffic about I let her run free, loves the fresh snow to bury her head and and frolic about in.

It is -26 mean and -39 chill again this morning and looking like similar right through to Saturday.

2012-01-08T09:37:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was cloudy with occasional light snow, nice temps in the minus mid teens.

Took the pictures of the raven in the morning, he sat on that pole for ages. Could be the one that was raised [one of two] by the next door neighbor, he sits on trees and poles looking at the house in expectation of some food.

Contrast that with today, clear and windy and cold, as you may be able to tell by the photo, would not want to be out on the ice.

Well we are finished with the festive season

2012-01-07T08:42:00.000-04:00

Yesterday and last night was Nulujuks so today the decorations come down.

Thought I’d take some last shots of outside the house, looked so nice with fresh snow on and around them. Most of houses round the town were lit up too.

Kept an eye out for northern lights, no luck, but it did cloud over early this morning.

Fran was in the mood for some comfort food [when is Fran not]. Aside for country food boiled pickled pork ribs is one of her favorites. Fran remembers these from when she was a kid.

In the picture it looks like a lot of meat for a small lady, but when the bones are discounted not a lot of meat is left.

2012-01-06T07:54:00.000-04:00

I have been feeling a little of the winter blahs last few days, that or my body takes longer to recover from banjo playing.

But news this morning has put a bounce back. I have been following a little battle of wills between the fine citizens of Happy Valley Goose Bay and their council and mayor.

The battle is was over a proposal to build a 300 or 450 [depending on who you ask] man temporary construction camp in an area of town that has residential and a school in close proximity.

One citizen opened up a Facebook page called 'Opposed to Kelland Drive 450 man camp'.

The page soon had 477 members, many very outspoken to the camp proposal and more so towards the council and mayor who voted 4 to 3 to allow amendments to the towns by laws.

The mayor did quite a bit of media appearances lobbying in favor of the camp at that site, making a huge fool of himself while doing so.

Any way over 100 people crammed the council chambers last evening at a public meeting. The proponent sent in a letter withdrawing their proposal and the council is going to take more time and study ways to come up with a detailed development plan. One would of thought one would be in place already but there ya go.

This sort of thing reminds me of what went on in Nain back when nickle was first discovered in the area. Everybody and his dog wanted land to build all sorts of hypothetical businesses.

Of course non of them came to fruition, or were needed as it turned out. Same sort of thing on a larger scale is going on in HV-GB, and there are many more less than savory large companies eying the area, so the fine citizens will need to keep an eagle eye open.

The northern lights are supposed to be intensive the next few days. Pity for the snow and clouds last evening, something was going on up there as the light filtered through the clouds early morning.

The reason I am on alert is from a story on CBC radio about one of the tour operators out Yellowknife way who does intensive research on Aurora Borealis, he is predicting some good activity the next few days, he claims an 80% accuracy rate, so I am hoping that it translates over this way, if only clear sky.

2012-01-04T06:06:00.000-04:00

Nice day yesterday, light snow falling with light to moderate winds, very purty indeed.

Superimposed over the nice day are two recent meals. On the left a very juicy grilled chicken thigh with vegetables boiled in with salt beef, jigs dinner so to speak. On the right is something I have not had for some years, curried prawns, or shrimp. Back in the day curried prawns was my second favorite meal at Chinese restaurants. Second behind prawn cutlets.
Seeing as I am having fun trying dishes with the raw prawns being sold at BigLand I might have to try the cutlets, though a bit on the small side I think it worth a try.

The Narwhal meat and mattak did not go to waste, lots of people trying both, getting good reviews for the most part.
Coincidentally, an article in Macleans magazine this week brings up many interesting points about narwhal hunting.

Funny little flirtation, love the ending.

2012-01-03T17:59:00.000-04:00

2012-01-03T05:53:00.000-04:00

I guess the highlight for some this year is the appearance, then the demise, of a Narwhal in the area.

The whale was spotted over near Edwards Cove, the port site for the VB mine.
Seems the whale got itself lost and eventually isolated from the open water in a bubble or lead in the ice.
Subsequently hunters from here took a run over and organized the demise.
Harpoons and a small boat were used to kill the whale, lots of helpers were on hand to help haul it out, then strip the muktuk and cut up the meat.

There are a lot of photos of the event on Facebook, I took the liberty of borrowing one of them from Wilson Michelin to give an idea of the size.

It seems to be a juvenile with a very small tusk. To my knowledge narwhals are not that common around here, specially up in the bays, and specially after freeze up.

2012-01-01T05:40:00.000-04:00

Happy New Year All.

The old turned into the new under clear cold calm conditions. Fairly quite early, fireworks at midnight, did hear some vehicular and snow mobile action around 2 to 3 but nothing out of the norm for a Saturday night. .

Carter and his mom got out to Goose yesterday, a day late for his dads birthday, but dad was the first officer on the plane he left on, so all balances out.

You see a lot of adds on TV for surf and turf meals in restaurants down south. So I decided to try one my version.
We have these humungous t/bone steaks, way to much for one to eat, so we split one steak between us. I had grilled shrimp on a skewer with spuds and fried onions.

Then a jello trifle, my version again. Not bad though should have used strawberry jello perhaps. The red wine and vodka soaked cups cakes are the highlight.

2011-12-31T05:36:00.000-04:00

After the storm: Left is across the road, right south side our house and bottom after some banjo work.

I think if the winds had been from the west a lot more banjo work would have been required in the front of house. In years past the ski doo has been totally buried and snow drifts covered the living room window.

2011-12-30T12:28:00.000-04:00

A collage of across the road yesterday.

Calming down today and cleared off to mainly sunny, planes are on weather hold at lunch time.
Spent an hour or so digging out the ski doo, the komatik, 4 wheeler was not so bad, had some snow banks to dig through to get the machines onto the road. Big oh snow bank on the south side of the house, but have had worse.

2011-12-30T05:40:00.000-04:00

Despite the warming temperatures [it was up to -2 one stage] it was not the sort of day to venture out comfortably. Winds gusted up to 100 k at one stage with many sustained gusts in the low to high 90's.
I did creep out the back door to dig a path for Siutik to get to the bathroom, but that was it. I also keep watch on the front entrance, but because the winds were northerly there was no to little accumulation there.

So it was a good day to lay around, watch movies, check on twitter and Facebook etc.

Siutik has laying around down to a fine art as seen in the collage. The other is of Frans arrangement on top of the computer desk and the background is the south side of the house across the road with the wind whipping the snow into a large bank

Not sure what to call the dish below. BigLand had packets of raw peeled tiger shrimp, I had some Chinese noddles and some shrimp chips, what to do with them.
Ended up sauteing garlic and a little crystallized ginger, added chicken stock and white wine then the cooked shrimp, tossed in the cooked noodles and bobs ya uncle.

I enjoyed it anyway. At least it was a little more appetizing, and way more healthy than the stuff many people put down their gullets, get a load of this story.

Surfs up

2011-12-29T14:35:00.000-04:00

on south side, gusts from north to 80 plus. Taken at 2:15.

2011-12-29T09:00:00.000-04:00

Taken at 8:50 this morning, you can still make out the dirty sandy snow that was becoming part of the landscape, hope this wind subsides so we can get some accumulation on the roads, but I don't think that will happen. Gusting to 80 now.

2011-12-29T05:54:00.000-04:00

The threatened storm threatened all day yesterday, more dandruff falls from my head than the snow that fell.

last night was a different story with some snow accumulation. When I looked out around 3:30 there was a nice build up on and around the four wheeler. Looking out again 5:30 the north winds had taken care of that, one photo is without flash and the other with flash. She is gusting to 70 clicks at moment, see what the daylight brings.

2011-12-28T06:08:00.000-04:00

Carter has gone green, and taking to this walking thing with gusto while waiting to board in Goose Bay yesterday.
Good size group of family at the airstrip to meet him and his mom.

The lightest of lightest of snow falls yesterday, we have warnings issued for all the coast but me thinks we will miss most of it again, or if we do get a good dump it will be blown away.

2011-12-27T05:05:00.001-04:00

The day after the day before. Cold lamb with bubble and squeak with a Greek influence, feta and olives.
Cold goose leg and wing with BS for Fran.

There is some light snow in the forecast for today, hope this doe not delay the flight of Carter and his mom this morning, someone will be climbing up the wall if there is any delay.

Update: No one will be climbing the walls today, Carter made it in in his lime green snow suite with light snow falling.

Please dont play with the humans.

2011-12-26T10:27:00.000-04:00

Where the hell is the kids parents.

2011-12-26T06:00:00.000-04:00

The leg of lamb prior to putting in oven. Lamb had been marinating for 24 hours in red wine/lemon/olive oil, I had rubbed garlic and herbs on the lamb prior to putting in in plastic bag and adding the liquid.
Things were a bit hectic later so i did not have time to take pictures post cooking.
Stephanie brought a cooked goose with stuffing, a nice young tender juicy one. The lamb was nice and tender and juicy as well.

The original intent was just four of us for dinner, but Fran had a surprise for Stephanie, she invited Brian John, Jane and Terrence.
Terrence took over the show in his entertaining way. After the meal Enrique and Matthew came up. After Fran familiarized Andrew and BJ with the game 'jacks' the two boys became locked in a macho battle to see who was the master, lots of laughter and well meant teasing. Just proves you don't need all these electronic gadgets to enjoy one self, a nice day all round.

The weather was mild relatively speaking, partly cloudy and light winds, got up to -13 with -20 wind chills, nice change from the past days.

Looks like no snow of consequence for the next while, long as the wind does not blow, but some good snow falls would be more than welcome.

The usual joy, giving, reflection, receiving time of year that is Christmas.

2011-12-24T05:41:00.002-04:00

But there is always a little niggle in the back of the mind, one of caution or of expectation that some sad event is about to happen.

Invariably something does happen this time of year. Perhaps not effecting one directly but in a small isolated community you are affected more profoundly than if living in a large urban area, Fran being on the crises response team heightens that apprehension.

This year it hit closer to home. Edward Flowers, Carters maternal other great grandfather [atatsiak] suffered a stroke early Wednesday morning, the 21st.

Edward did not recover from the stroke passing away at home early afternoon Thursday the 22nd. Edward was 74.

Guest blogger Fran has this contribution:

Like our grand daughter Aimee, Brian and I feel blessed to have known Edward Flowers-not only know him but shared family with him.

I moved to Nain in 1980, not knowing how Edwards family or my family would be intertwined.

Edward was a walking wealth of Inuit Traditional Knowledge. I’m sure there are a lot of younger Inuit who called him their mentor-I’ve already heard many of them say that.

Edward cared about and was passionate about what Inuit should be concerned with. That our environment can sustain the food we depend on so much. That the land not be spoiled by mining activities.

Edward had intimate connections and respect for how the land, water animals birds depend on each other. I leaned that from him as I got to know him over a numbers of years. And he always had good oh Inuk food to share, and a great sense of humor.

Collage of action on the harbor yesterday afternoon.

2011-12-23T05:47:00.000-04:00

Some taken from the ball park as the sun was setting below the hills, others taken from shore in front of Northern after the sun sank below the hills.

We have our first -30's wind chill of the season, -34 actually, no wonder the house is slow to warm up.

We did a run around looking at the lights around 7 pm last night. Seems like many more houses with lights, and some people were still putting lights up, in the dark, with the wind hitting them broadside, durh.

Our run coincided with the team judging for the best decorated house competition, we kept running into them as we did our tour. You have to enter the competition so that is why they were moving faster than us.

There is one short dead end street that was particularly nice with every house with some sort of lights, and the first house on the street was quite elaborate with quite a bit of thought and work going into it. Seems they ran third.

We cut our tour short as my hands were freezing and Fran was missing her Days show.

2011-12-22T05:58:00.001-04:00

This ones for Rick. Rick is on a pre Christmas diet and his only joy in life is looking at pictures of yummy food.

This was my first attempt at a Tourtiere, lamb, salt pork ribs, turnip, parsnip, carrots and spices.
There are so many ways to make this Quebec delicacy it can become confusing. I took several cooking suggestions and blended them into my own concoction.
If truth be known it is really just a deep dish meat pie, and lets not forget we have a jihad out against Robin Hood products until they reintroduce the Flaky Pastry range.

We attended the annual Christmas concert at the school last evening, it was very well attended as usual.
One thing that stood out, the number of vehicles outside, in many past years it would be all ski doos. The lack of snow is becoming bothersome for many.

I get the feeling that a few people will be testing the ice [on ski doo] today or tomorrow, folks with experience and knowledge of ice.
Unlike last year the ice should have ample time to set nice and thicken and stabilize, there is no snow forecast for the next seven days and temps into the -20's are on the cards.

After feasting your eyes on the picture above get out and go for a walk.

2011-12-21T08:38:00.000-04:00

We received this photo [edited by me] in one of the Christmas cards this year. The photo was taken around 1992.

Ros, who did some accounting for OK Society back in the day, is beside Fran in front of the mural in the TV studio in the building subsequently destroyed by fire.

The mural was painted by students and their arts teacher at the time Bill Wheaton. Bill was to my mind the best arts teacher JHMS has ever had for many reasons, but that’s another story.

On the chilly side out, -24 overnight at the house, -21 official. We spotted three people walking out on the ice yesterday, bit risky for most but if these conditions persist then there will be one big ice skating rink out there soon.

Have a Merry Christmas all.

2011-12-20T05:49:00.001-04:00

Fran did a nice job of the tree, and I added a nice picture of Carter and his mom, one day they will post a good one of all three, but dad is away a lot being a first officer with a local airline n all.

I have been waiting patiently for some official news of the language Strategy paper that was tabled at the NG assembly early last week. Still nothing official but OK had a news brief on the tabling yesterday.

For a government that was established ~~on the backs~~ under the auspices of Inuit and their language and culture NG sure pays little heed to language and culture.

Maybe if they could have wrangled the word Uranium in the tittle page, or short term jobs for long term pain maybe the PR wiz at NG would have news of this culturally significant tabling out on the inter tubes in minutes.

Temperatures are down, ~~or up~~ -21 at the house and -16 official, calmer winds have given the ice in the harbor time to set up, should see some crazy out on ski doo soon.
Those long string of little orange balls in the Enviro Can web site have changed to little orange balls with a dark puffy thing across the middle. No sign of sprinkley white thingies yet.

2011-12-19T05:41:00.000-04:00

Harbor finely set

2011-12-19T05:36:00.000-04:00

yesterday [for the most part]. Still some open leads but if the winds stay light the ice should be here to stay. The lonely seagull is enjoying the fruits of the bubble, that stays open all winter usually.

After all that wind walking was a joy yesterday, everybody commenting on how warm it was.
After checking the days temps later the wind chill had not been over -23, proving that it is all relative.

Santa hit town early afternoon yesterday.

2011-12-18T06:32:00.002-04:00

Some observations from Fran; no ho hoing, but that may be due to not many people out on the ramp. Also a skinny Santa, this may be due to the global economic downturn. Before departure from the ramp Santa did let out a few ho ho's.
My observations; it was bloody cold [-27 wind chill], most people were hunkered down in vehicles waiting for the parade to start. The large amount of vehicles compared to previous years, this may be due to the economic upturn for some in Nunatsiavut.
Air Labrador was the conveyance of choice and the gifts to be given out at the town hall were of the good graces of a service club in Goose Bay [whose name escapes me].

Being sunny and so bloody cold it was a good day for pizza. I think this feeling cold thing may be physical as well as physiological. Clear sunny windy days with little snow on the ground sort of puts the chills right through the body, it seems less of an effect when there is lots of packed snow, it acts as an insulation to the mind and the physical.

Back to the pizza: Multi grain dough of course. On the left we have broccoli, sauteed onions, peppers, ham, sliced fresh tomatoes lots of cottage cheese, feta cheese.
On the right, pepperoni, salami, olives, sauteed onions, sliced fresh tomatoes, peppers, avocado, feta, mozzarella and cheddar cheeses.
Not arf bad if I do say so myself.

So no matter if the cold thing is physiological or physical we better get used to it, nothing but big yellow balls and low temperatures for the next 7 days on the Enviro Canada web sight for Nain.

Santa update: Santa's elves and helpers were from the Rotary Club of HV-GB, a stop in Natuashish preceded the visit to Nain. About 800 gifts were distributed to the children.

2011-12-17T06:46:00.000-04:00

This n that:
Around 3:30 yesterday I thought I should take a photo or two of our my Christmas decorations outside before the wind came and blew what little fresh snow fell, and it did, the wind that is.

Not a big deal but it does add some cheer and color to the front of the house. Fran is in charge of the inside decorations, we are in a bit of a bind due to the fact I we don't want to stick pins in the new gyprock ceiling. I am sure things will work out OK.

I had a bit of an culinary heart stop at BigLand yesterday. Here on a bottom shelf of a cooler were a couple of bags with Feta Cheese hand printed on them. Crumbled fete cheese but non the less an extreme rarity up these ways.

It was not long before I was trying out the feta, damn good but needs to have some olive oil added to it if I am to keep it for any time, then not much chance of that.
Last evenings meal was left over night, the four
vegetable with left over fried rice croquettes came out unbelievable. The added touch was the feta on top.
Beer battered cod with some pork tenderloin made up the left over meal from on high.

Carnivore Fran complimented the croquettes, especially with feta topping, and mentioned that AJ missed out an a great dish, AJ being a veterinarian and all.

Oh the wind, it got up to 30 k by 5 and up to 89 k early this morning, not a lot of blowing snow as the warmer temps made it sort of sticky.

2011-12-16T05:39:00.002-04:00

You will be happy to hear [thanks to my early intervention] that Environment Canada has given us back our Friday.
So it looks like maybe we will get some snow Friday and maybe Saturday. But we wont get overly excited as it looks like wind will blow the snow off. Then it is back into the big chill next week.

Should this woman go to ~~jail~~ gaol or be anointed a saint. I am leaning towards the latter.

This blog post puts an interesting question out there. Not that has not been asked before, but it has always puzzled me why such high standards on reporting how government monies are spent are put on aboriginal groups and entities inside aboriginal communities, yet many non aboriginal agencies can run deficits and have monies flitted away and no [government] one really makes such a big deal out of it.

Now I do agree that being accountable is the best course, but the double standard has always troubled me.

Another tragedy has hit this town of many tragedies. A young man decided to end his life Wednesday in the toilet of the high school. He was only 14 or 15, cant think of words to describe how his family and friends must feel.
I do not want to write on these issues, but at the same time not talking and writing about them does more harm that good.

Councilors on the ground are dealing with family [if they request it] and a group of councilors from the school board arrived yesterday to work with the school children.

All well and good but when will all this reactionary process lead to pro action, after all there are lots of kids hurting out there, you can see it everyday just walking around the streets.

I have taken an except from a Facebook post, I hope that person who wrote it does not mind.

there is a very powerful spirit taking over our young people and taking them away from us. Suicide. We desperately need mental health services for our young people because right now they have nothing. It takes months to get to see a counsellor in Goose Bay. I think it should be mandatory for teachers in our communities to have suicide intervention training, they are the people who see the kids everyday and should realize

I post it just to give people a sense of what youth are thinking and saying in private. That post has 24 likes at the moment. There are many many more people speaking and witting on social media about this very serious issue, yet the powers that be continue their silence.

For some perspective: There are counseling services available [though underfunded and staffed] on the ground. There is also an urgent need for the Nunatsiavut Government to start being pro active and leading their people in finding ways of dealing with all the hurt going back generations. You cant live in denial for much longer, action must be taken now.

2011-12-15T08:22:00.001-04:00

Here is a link to what I feel is an uplifting little video put together by people from the small Yupiq Eskimo Village of Quinhagak, Alaska , it was a school computer project intended for the other Yupiq villages in the area. Much to the villagers' shock, over a half million people have viewed it.

Many thanks to TG from St. John's for sending it, I needed an uplift after that milquetoast bunch voted to lift the moratorium en mass. .

2011-12-15T05:30:00.000-04:00

Environment Canada has changed the way they report the weather on their on line updates.

Little did we know they were also taking one day a week from us.

Forecast Compose

Tonight

-7°C*
Thu

-4°C

Sat

-14°C
-4°C*
60%

Sun

-15°C
-19°C

Mon

-13°C
-17°C

Tue

-18°C
-20°C

Wed

-16°C
-18°C

2011-12-14T12:54:00.001-04:00

The uranium moratorium on Inuit lands of Nunatsiavut has been lifted.

Some of the early comments on Facebook are: LIKE LIKE LIKE LIKE LIKE LIKE LIKE LIKE!! :) We've been waiting for this for 5 years!! Finally will be able to support our families again!! :) Good news maybe i;ll get some work now.. :D By fuck'in time. can't live in the pass bring on the paycheque! Yup shoud not have been stopped in the first place,just some small minds that didnt see the big picture ,its 2011 not 1970,thats good news that its lifted.about time.

Not exactly the sharpest knives in the cutlery draw, nor the most informed.

Below is news release, some people must be pissing themselves in excitement, this has to be a record [time wise] in NG releasing a news release on any topic usually takes days or weeks for things to get out.

NEWS RELEASE

December 14, 2011

For Immediate Release

Nunatsiavut Assembly votes to lift uranium moratorium

The Nunatsiavut Assembly unanimously voted today to lift a moratorium on the working, production, mining and development of uranium on Labrador Inuit Lands.

“We imposed this moratorium in April of 2008 to give us sufficient time to ensure we make an informed decision,” says Nunatsiavut’s Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Glen Sheppard. “Since then we have established a lands administration system, developed environmental protection legislation and have made tremendous progress on a land use plan for the Labrador Inuit Settlement Area.”

The amendment to the Labrador Inuit Lands Act that imposed the moratorium required that a review of the decision be conducted after March 31, 2011. That review process, which began in September, has now been completed.

“As part of that review process we held public consultations throughout Nunatsiavut, Upper Lake Melville and St. John’s,” notes Minister Sheppard. “The general consensus from Beneficiaries and other stakeholders is that the moratorium should be lifted to allow any proposed development to proceed to environmental assessment.”

The Nunatsiavut Environmental Protection Act will come into force on or before March 9, 2012. The amendment to the Labrador Inuit Lands Act to lift the moratorium will not come into effect before the environmental protection legislation is in place, says the Minister.

Media Contact:

Bert Pomeroy

Director of Communications

(709) 896-8582

(709) 933-3750

2011-12-14T05:17:00.001-04:00

The harbor almost froze over yesterday. Light winds in the morning saw a nice ice sheen forming way out from shore.

By 3 pm when I took these photos the wind had come up and the ice had broken up with ripples of water between the thin ice pans.
There is a bit of a warming trend so freeze up may be put on hold.

The below letter is posted at request of a reader in St. John's. Not sure how many readers are Inuk and at a recognized institution, and 'enrolled in post-secondary studies' narrows in down again, but here ya go anyways.

My name is Danielle McAllister and I am contacting you from the Inuit Art Foundation with an exciting scholarship opportunity for your students. Established in 1995, the Virginia J. Watt award was developed to encourage Inuit to pursue studies in Inuit art and culture. To qualify for the award the applicant must be a Canadian Inuk who is currently enrolled in post-secondary studies at a recognized institution whose studies are pursuing Inuit art and/or cultural studies.

For 2012, the award is valued at $2,000 and applications must be post-marked no later than February 1, 2012. Qualified applicants can apply either by email (iaf@inuitart.org) or by mailing their application to:
Inuit Art Foundation
2081 Merivale Road
Ottawa, ON
K2G 1G9

Many thanks,

Danielle

Danielle McAllister
Inuit Art Foundation
iaf@inuitart.org
(613) 224-8189 ext. 21

In other news; there is a Transcribing Workshop on the go in the NG building this week. A prof from U of T is the driving force behind this. Said prof has been a great advocate for the retention and leaning of Inuktitut in different Labrador dialects for some years.

Said prof has a blog "that no one reads" so here is a ling to the blog no one reads.

2011-12-13T08:50:00.000-04:00

I/we attended the Seniors Christmas lunch put on by the Nain Inuit Community Governments recreation Department yesterday.

The “lunch” was followed by a merchandise bingo. I had to leave before the bingo, no really, had to pick someone up at the airstrip.

This is not a criticism but more an observation. The “lunch’ was more on the lines of a brunch, boiled egg, ham, bologna, bacon, toast and pancake and juices and coffee or tea. I noticed, as others did, that many left quite a bit of food on their plates.

I first to my knowledge was that six members of the string and brass band [all the same people] from the school along with the music teacher provided Christmas music during the event, a nice refreshing touch.

The pickup at the airstrip; I said to said person “pity it is so cold for you” she being from TO.

“Oh it is colder in Goose Bay” was the reply. “I thought I better buy some snow pants and warmer boots while I was there”

After an 11/2 kilometer ride into the wind on the back of the 4 wheeler changed the view that it was colder in GB.

Its all relative in it.

The Nunatsiavut assembly is meeting in Hopedale this week, fly in day was yesterday. It will be the first meeting in the new Assembly building. Official opening will not be until next year.

One agenda item will be the tabling of ‘Asiujittailillugit UKausivut’ the strategy paper for retaining and improving the Inuit language.

Fran will be keeping an eagle eye on how this is received by the assembly and the speed that it progresses through the various stages by the legislators. Let’s hope it is faster than getting to where it is today.

2011-12-12T05:24:00.001-04:00

Carter cuddling right into Santa at his first ~~christens~~ Christmas party, looks like he tickled Santa's beard, not shy at all.

The wind keeps taking the pleasantness out of doing outdoorsy stuff. The temps are not that bad but the constant wind chills down to -29 nights and -17 days is a bummer.

2011-12-10T05:21:00.000-04:00

Not a lot of difference [snow wise] between this picture taken yesterday afternoon about 4:30 and the earlier one I posted taken about 7:30 in the morning.
Looks like less snow actually, and there is. Not sure how much fell but at a wild guess I'd say most of it blew off to places unknown with winds gusting to 89k.
Some did end up around the house, wind blown on the west side and shoveled on the other sides.

We will need the extra insulation as the forecast is for a week of yellow balls and lower temperatures with wind.

The first of the seniors Christmas parties was held Thursday. Fran attended, I did not. Fran brought home all the goodies from Santa, a bag each full of nice little stuff that comes in handy.

Thanks to the staff at the ~~nursing station~~ ~~health center~~ community clinic for putting on this annual event.
There are at least two more dinners next week so I hope to catch one of those.

How many cooks are int he kitchen now?

2011-12-09T13:59:00.000-04:00

This statement by The Woodward Group representative on the close of the shipping season is puzzling. Does that make three fingers in the pie.
The Government put too much water in the pastry, then CAI-Nunatsiavut over baked the pie and now we have the former operators of the service and owners of the Aston as head cook. WTF is going on?.

You will notice in the CAI-Nunatsiavut link that there was a name change after the awarding of the contract from CAI Marine Inc to the present name. Labrador Inuit Development Corp became involved. LIDC is the commercial arm of the Nunatsiavut Government.
A spokesperson from LIDC had a few things to say on the shipping debacle in the early days of summer.

Now it seems the kitchen is too hot for any one of the above players except the guys laughing all the way to the bank.

2011-12-09T08:12:00.000-04:00

Not a lot of snow to move out there, still windy though, -7 temp.

2011-12-09T05:36:00.001-04:00

With these minute by minute US style weather updates one gets a bit edgy. I think there is no need for this type of scrutiny of pending weather. Minute by minute updates on TV, same folks twittering, but then I don't live in a city, so am not sure if this over saturation serves any real purpose.

I know the warnings are taken notice of, lots of chatter on the streets yesterday, "will we or will we not get the storm as predicted".

Turns out we got the edge [so far]again. Light snow started mid morning, then it turned to cloudy threatening to do something that did not happen.
We missed the brunt as Goose Bay got hit good, not sure about Hopedale yet.

Some snow on ground this morning, what seems like moderate winds at the house are actually gusting NWN 89 k at the airstrip. Nice to be protected from north west winds.

After dawn update: Yep, its windy, not a big snow fall and what there was is heading for Greenland or Europe.
K to 3 closed in Nain, schools closed along the coast, HV-GB is all but shut down for the morning so people can dig out the 43 cm of snow that fell. Roddington on the Northern Peninsular had gusts of wind to 143 k.

2011-12-08T05:51:00.000-04:00

Some time back a mentioned that Robin Hood had discontinued it's very popular 'flaky pastry' line.
The companies replacement, from the new American owners of Robin Hood, Dr. Oetker [DO] pie crust just is not up to par.

So after making pasty from scratch and experimenting with the DO mix I have found a compromise that works OK, mainly in the making part. I make up DO with slightly more liquid than necessary. I then add, in my case wholewheat flour, to bring it back to the right firm consistency.

The result is passable, not as flaky nor as tasty as the old Robin Hood, but it is workable, unlike making OD as instructed on packet. Maybe some more experimentation?

At right is a strawberry apple with a touch of ginger pie.

I will be continuing on with my personal Jadid of not buying any Robin Hood products, except in last resort cases and DO.

Great day yesterday, sunny, when it made it over the hills, lighter winds that we have been having.

There is a winter storm watch in place, snow and high winds by Friday. If things go to the norm we will not get hit as hard as those further south of us.
We could sure do with the snow, the roads are hard as ice [ha ha] with rocks poking up, not sure why people use the ski doos in those conditions, if it was an emergency then OK, but to just joy ride and macho speeding is stupid, not to mention expensive when things wear out. .

2011-12-07T05:31:00.000-04:00

A friend at U of T sent this link and was wondering if many people in Nain know of it.

I know that many are familiar with Labrador Inuit through Moravian Eyes, but not sure about the link to music and some really great photographs.

You may have to tool around a bit with the links but it is wroth the effort IMO.

Shipping has wound down, MV Sir Robert Bond (Freight Only) - Finished for 2011 season.
And what a season it was, sitting in dry dock all summer and making one late desperate run up the coast to save the ministers arse.

The Ranger is heading for Lewisport indicating she is also finished for the season. Astron is on the way south too and no news it will make another run.

Overnight temps are getting down into the high teens, at the house at least, little higher official. The days start out nice and sunny with moderate winds, around mid day the winds increase in strength, at least the gusts do making for chilly walks heading south or west.

2011-12-05T19:28:00.002-04:00

OBT in comments asked what I thought of the situation in Attawapiskat and any comparisons with Nain, specifically transport./shipping.

Bit of a tall order if you ask me seeing that everything I know about Northern Ontario and first nations is garnered from media, left right and in between.

After a little research it appears that Nain is better off re air service and fares. Goose Bay to Nain is roughly 250 miles. Airfares are just over $800:00.

Timmins is about 300 miles from Attawapiskat, air fares are around$1,200:00 return.

What it costs to get to Timmins, and how I have no idea. I imagine they would be similar to fares to Goose Bay from the larger centers of the east.

Getting heavy goods and freight seems some what similar; we have a summer marine shipping option while Attawapiskat seems to have a winter ice road for getting those items in.

I would think our season would be longer than theirs but can be corrected.

I would hope that their shipping is carried out more efficiently than ours, which is very probable as they would not have the Newfoundland government managing theirs.

Conditions both socially and culturally in the two towns are hard to compare. On the face of it we are better off, though we do have homes that could compare in the state of disrepair, not many but some.

We do have homes that have no hydro connection, how many is not known. These homes would be without water for sure in the winter months; also the community government has been disconnecting water from homes that owe back taxes.

To encapsulate the goings on, it would seem that the fine folks in Attawapiskat are being given the run over by the Feds because they choose not to take the assimilation path, or at least offer up some resistance.

All that empty rhetoric from the PM about Attawapiskat not being accountable and not keeping records of monies gone into the community holds no water. It seems all the records are easy to obtain on the internet if one wants to look, which is something the governments in Nunatsiavut can’t claim.

It is obvious that the civil service has not being doing their duty in keeping tabs on monies flowing in, the same thing happened when the Davis Inlet issue took center stage some years back. Lack of bureaucratic accountability was then as now the main culprit.

So the lesson is, be milquetoast and keep getting the little scrapes of what a modern white society has to offer, or resist assimilation and keep getting the left over of any monies flowing and the worst living conditions in north America.

Interesting update: No sooner had I posted this than news reports stated about the chief of the Attawapiskat nation asked the third party manager to leave the community.
No milquetoast that lady.

Now, once OBT washes the peanut butter off of his dog [don't ask] maybe he will fill me in on what he meant in his comment.

Shipping update: Astron in this morning, much frozen goods being moved to stores. Hayne's store already selling new supplies, I reserved 3 lamb legs.

L'entrecôte, rôtir la pomme de terre et l'igname avec les brocolis.

2011-12-05T06:04:00.000-04:00

A simple Sunday dinner, I used the big ass fry pan to sear the meat before roasting, also to blacken the yams, we love that blackened taste, and the spuds were nice and crunchy on the outside.

Yesterday was a more pleasant one for being out and about, the wind dropped off or was non existent making for a nice walk, temps were higher too. .

We do need more snow though, not much in the short term forecast, temperatures do not look that low either.

2011-12-04T09:03:00.000-04:00

Twitpic - Share photos and videos on Twitter

2011-12-03T11:36:00.001-04:00

Twitpic - Share photos and videos on Twitter

Some dictatorial humor

2011-12-03T08:53:00.000-04:00

laugh your head off, or loose it.

2011-12-03T06:01:00.000-04:00

Moose burgers last evening. Toasted home made buns, tomato, lettuce, fried onions, mustard, beets, very nice.

Interesting story up Iqaluit way about a new vet. I wish her well. Check out the link to the painted van.

Be nice if we had the population [human] to warrant a vet here, we have enough roaming dogs plus the animals that are looked after to warrant a part time vet for sure.
Perhaps a roaming vet, on a boat [like they did for humans years ago], a boat loving roaming vet is what is needed.

What we have in Nain is the Inuit Community Govt. make-work program under way to construct dog traps. Not that they are not needed, especially weekends with all these weekend passes some people give their dogs.
We had traps before and they worked, thing is kids, and especially some owners, would go and let the dogs out after being trapped.

There will be a survey done within Nunatsiavut on caribou management. Only households containing beneficiaries of the land claim agreement will be surveyed, not that there is anything wrong with that..
I always have a chuckle when someone whiter than me says "white people are excluded".

Thanks to someone in Brossard Quebec, who googled 'robert bond port of cartwright' for reminding me of this post back in 2008. The comments show that history repeats itself by the way shipping went this year.

Every year now it seems we say, "well it cant get any worse". Well it can and it does.

Confession time, the meat in the moose burgers was from Newfoundland and not local.

Well I think I have finely gone and done it

2011-12-02T05:26:00.001-04:00

and Created the la viande le mieux fichue de sol a couvert dans le plat de pâtisserie jamais, and that is without any realy good ingredients.

Yes'm, this dish had many good points that tingled the taste buds. Thin crunchy outer filo, firm juice infused inner filo, a cheesy layer, then a spinach layer on top of a potato layer all encompassing a great tasting herb infused ground beef and gravy bottom.

Even Fran was oohing and awing, and not a bone in sight, the ultimate compliment.

As Fran said, "pity we cant get cottage cheese up here", that would have topped it off to almost perfection [I substituted Havarti and Gouda]. I did not pay too much attention to the aesthetics of arranging the pastry on top, hence I was a little worried about burning the top layer.

After a careful eye ball on the oven all came out well if I do say so myself.

I have paid scant attention to the goings on in parliament and much of the media coverage of the deplorable state in the community of Attawapiskat. If there was not so much going on regionally to deal with I would have had more time to pay attention.

Through Twitter I came upon this article that scrapes all the bile and empty right wing rhetoric to one side and puts things in perspective.

The bond

2011-12-01T12:47:00.000-04:00

standing off Nain in the predawn early light. Then later at the dock.

Not much activity when we were down at the dock, you see all the stuff for Natuashish had to be moved before Nain stuff can come off. Bond was loaded for Natuashish first, but apparently winds forced the operators to divert to Nain first.

Of course there was no frozen goods on board the Bond, despite assertions to the contrary by the minister for transport that "all freight for Nain and Natuashish has been taken on the Bond.

You see if the minister had done any 'due divergence' his government is infamous for he would have learnt that refers with internal combustion engines for refrigeration can not be loaded on the Bond. Then he would have not made false claims that were, well false.

Lie I said before, you cant make this stuff up.

2011-12-01T05:59:00.001-04:00

It is Nunatsiavut Day, six years ago today Nunatsiavut was officially sanctioned. Folks who are lucky enough to be employed within the Nunatsiavut Government have a day off.
Any one notice any anomaly in that link above?

We had a nice little snow fall last evening, fresh coverage to brighten up the new day.

It is also a big day of sorts at the local [and only] hotel in town. Long serving manager Sarah Webb has/is retiring after ? years at the Atsanik Lodge.
Not sure how many years it has been, I do remember Sarah being there when I first visited back in 1978.

Those were the days I remember most fondly. Nain was a different place [as was most places]. The Atsanik was just a conglomeration of construction trailers and the bar was the most tiny of things, the bar itself was more like a personal bar in a home.
The lounge/ drinking area with its wired mess windows and darkened ambiance always reminded me of scenes in a western movie. No shoot outs at the Atsanik but lots of other interesting action.
Line up for TGIF beer days [beer was in short supply back then], some times right out the door and into the snow drifts. I miss those days.

Happy retirement Sarah.

Later: The Bond is here, anchored off, winds gusting to 65 wnw.

2011-11-30T06:04:00.000-04:00

Some home made culinary treats last evening. I corned some beef purchased locally. Left it in brine for 4 days, shorter than recommended, but infused brine into the meat, not recommended, but it hasted the process. The meat does not have that red look of commercially produced, then it does not have any saltpeter in it either.

I think next time just a little more salt.

BigLand had some filo pasty, I had never tried filo before so purchased some, made up a refined version of apple strudel using some mincemeat in with the apple and sugar.

The Astron docked early yesterday morning and had departed by 9:30

Now I know some people may think I exaggerate with all these goings on with shipping and the like up this way.
I kid you not folks, things just get weirder and stranger and more incompetent.

Reports from yesterdays offload were: Several container loads of perishable foods were frozen. Seems they were put in uninsulated containers.

The insulated containers had wait for it yep, they has snowmobiles in them.

You cant make this stuff up. For one the government cant be blamed for this. One has to ask if these things are done deliberately for surly to heaven no one could be that stunned or can they?

The big day

2011-11-29T11:54:00.000-04:00

finely arrived. Carter and mom and dad touched down, we had some time for a short visit while the plane was refueled.

After a little apprehension Carter reacted in his usual happy way. Cousins Enrique and Terrence were happy to see him also.

Carters rash had cleared up a bit while in Hopedale, could be the new cream or the fresh Hopedale air.

2011-11-29T05:50:00.000-04:00

Cooling down day by day, we missed the snow falls that towns south of here received yesterday. The downer for us was that Cater and his parents were unable to get out of Hopedale as planned, we were looking forward to a brief huge as they passed through Nain on way home.

Another two ~~caribou we wish~~ moose were taken these past days. Not far from town too, that leaves just three more animals left on the 6 animal quota for the next 11 months.

The towns Christmas tree was lit up on Sunday night. We did not go to the ceremony, but I know it must have happened as the lights were on yesterday.

I was hopping to report all positive news on marine shipping, alas the trials and tribulations with marine shipping do not abate. The Astron is due this morning from Goose Bay.

All the fright left in Lewisport destined to Nain and Natuashish is loaded aboard the Sir Robert Bond, alas she has not left the dock.

MV Sir Robert Bond (Freight Only)

Monday, Nov. 28th

Finished loading 5:30 pm. Currently on mechanical hold in Lewisporte. ETD to be advised.

Next ports of call: Nain, Natuashish

All that rush of empty rhetoric by the minister of transport is put in it's true perspective, stuff about the boat is ready and the Feds Dept of Transport was holding things up.

There seems to be another brouhaha brewing due to incompetence within the Provincial Government with the folks in Nunatsiavut the victims. I need to garner more information but it is all a-chatter on facebook and was mentioned on CKOK..

2011-11-27T09:48:00.001-04:00

Guess who received there Advent stocking first? Siutik was laying in front of the chair all morning, not her usual place this time of day.
Dogs are some smart, she knew there something there for her.

"Effective immediately", the MV Sir Robert Bond will bring freight to the communities of Nain and Natuashish.

Language is a little overblown, but good news anyway.

2011-11-27T06:10:00.000-04:00

Advent is here: Fran goes to quite a bit of trouble effort and gets a lot of joy out of finding stocking stuffer's. Nothing expensive, just small things that she thinks the recipients will appreciate.

Only four little feet trampled in last evening, plus there is Carters who will get his as he passes through on way home on Tuesday.

Advent is a nice little custom [I leave the religious side out of it] that the people stick to up here. Many have a tree specially for advent, then another for Christmas. 

A big deal and pride is taken in "hunting" for a nice tree.

We don't have a tree inside but have some lights on a tree outside.

Happy Advent everyone.

2011-11-26T09:32:00.000-04:00

Early morning stalkers are out.Discoloring the nice fresh snow no doubt.

2011-11-26T06:13:00.002-04:00

I have been giving the new Lodge cast iron pan a good work out. Made these great grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch. Using the press the results were more than pleasing, crunchy on the outside and soft and gooey inside.

Ribs were good too, and the chicken legs were chard outside and still moist inside. Good investment me thinks, mind you I will have to start doing weights again, bloody heavy lifting it sure. Good thing I did not get the 16 inch job.

Nice light snow last evening, and more overnight, no warming trend please.

On the shipping news front; no news is usually good news. Alas in our case no news of the Bond arriving at Lewisport is bad news.
Word is the Bond was still sitting in St. John.s as of last evening.

Twenty five days and counting since we last had freight from Lewisport. The Astron is in Goose Bay loading for who knows where and the Bond is awaiting federal inspection.
Sort of puts all that bullshit [guaranteed two week turn around] that spews out of the minster of transports mouth in perspective. No MSM types have taken him to task for that really.

Still do not know where she is headed;

Saturday, Nov. 26th

Astron:

Currently in Goose Bay -holding due to winds 40 knots. Estimating to leave Sunday, Nov. 27th

Latest is:

Saturday, Nov. 26th

Currently in Goose Bay -holding due to winds 40 knots. Estimating to leave Sunday, Nov. 27th.

Next ports of call: Rigolet, Nain, Natuashish, Hopedale, Postville and Makkovik

That will make it well over a month that any freight from Lewisport made it to Nain. Weather and ice permitting and leaving aside the Bond making it passed the inspection.

2011-11-25T11:38:00.000-04:00

Carter with his gift from mom and dad.

At first he did not want anything to do with opening the box, took more interest in a tv remote. The after dad opened it and took the toy out he still had no interest, even when the lights flashed, the engine roared and the propeller twirled.

Dad tried lifting him in but he still resisted. Finely he settled in and once he figured out that this was fun then smiles all round.

2011-11-25T08:15:00.000-04:00

Bit late for thanksgivings, but plenty of time before xmas to learn how to cook that f'ing bird.

Happy Birthday Carter.

2011-11-25T05:06:00.000-04:00

It was 365 days today that Carter made his entrance into the world.

We sent him some balloons in lieu of a card on Tuesday. He is with his mom and dad in Hopedale now until Tuesday. Many relatives to admire and spoil him from both side of family.

2011-11-24T14:02:00.001-04:00

Well if ya wana listen to a bloke who can talk the legs off a wood stove while saying absolutely sweet bugger all then have a listen to Minister [verbal diarrhea] Heddersonon on CBC Labrador Morning.

Dave Chaulk of CAI-Nunatsiavut comes on after Hedderson. He seems to make a little more sense out of the shipping debacle, but there are still many unknown unknowns.

What we do know from Henderson’s spiel is that no mention was made that the Bond had been inspected and turned down by Transport Canada, so back to work to try fixing the problems.

Hedderson makes out like it is all TC and today’s snow fall that is holding things up, to quote Hedderson old boss, “nuting could be furder from da trut”.

Ana nuver fing, both interviewees mention ad nauseum the term "freight will be delivered on time".

What the hell does this mean? Does it mean in there minds that freight that has been UNDELIVERED for one, two, three months gets delivered in the next week or so is all of a sudden ON TIME.

Finement quelques fromages différents.

2011-11-24T05:51:00.001-04:00

After waiting through the spring, into the summer and then the fall one of the stores has something other than the bland mild cheddar and sliced processed cheese.

This may not seem exciting to southern folks but for those in the north, well my taste buds are salivating.

BigLand had four different cheeses come in, the camembert and the blue were ordered but not shipped, perhaps next time.

I do not know how the prices stack up but what the heck. Add these to what I already ordered from Hickory Farms and the nice Quebec soft ripened one that was given me I am all cheesed up for the short term.

Another tasty morsel were the calamari I cooked up the other night.

The light beer batter made them crunchy outside with the distinct taste of squid inside.

Meanwhile life in Nunatsiavut speedily heads

2011-11-23T12:11:00.001-04:00

for the precipice of the middle 20th century.

Yesterday our MHA reported that he was informed that the mv Sir Robert Bond was “gearing up’ to take freight from Lewisport to Nain and Natuashish.

CBC asked CIA-Nunatsiavut if this was the case, CAI said that was the first they had heard of it.

The MHA is now saying that he is being told there ‘could be complications’ with that.

Meanwhile the Astron has made it into Makkovik, unloading containers and freight sitting around the dock in -16 to 20 degree wind chills.

Then this morning I called the company that was due to install the oil tanks on the coast under the oil tank replacement program of NL government.

A company representative said that they are no longer interested in the contract as ‘complications’ arose in dealings with government.

Lots more on the go but it is getting too ridicules for words.

Meanwhile our elected NG officials will be getting handsome pay increases, yet can’t find the wherewithal to even make a public statement as we head towards the abyss.

President, ministers, speaker, AngajukKaks will be getting 65,400. Plus 36,000 indemnity for President then decreases down to 7,500 as lowest indemnity.
Then there are travel and other perks.

Base Salary* Indemnity
President 65,400 36,000
First Minister 65,400 25,000
Ministers / Speaker 65,400 15,000
Deputy Speaker 65,400 7,500
Ordinary Members 65,400
AngajukKak 65,400
Chairs of Inuit Community Corporation 65,400

2011-11-23T05:26:00.001-04:00

More than the casual smokers one would think, but boy what a rousing drinking song.

2011-11-22T14:10:00.001-04:00

Word: The mv Sir Robert Bond is 'gearing up' then heading to Lewisport from St.John's. She is to load freight for Natuashish and Nain.

The forecast is for cooler temperatures, hope we don't end up with ice beer. Not that it is funny, far from it.

Should be interesting down the dock when she arrives, the Bond only carries freight in pallets, not in containers, not sure why. People receiving freight will want to get there stuff up out of the cold ASAP one would think.

Word: The Astron is hunkered in among some islands for shelter from the winds. The red is where she is at. Rigolet is inside to the left.
UPDATED TUESDAY, NOV. 22ND @ 3:15 PM Anchored at Run by Guess due to high winds (35-40 NW). Will update as soon as winds subside.

2011-11-21T08:03:00.003-04:00

Nice cooler weekend, in the –high single digits with wind chill in the high teens. Winter is well on the way.

To keep with the shipping issue: the CIA-Nunatsiavut shipping update is now showing the Astron not coming to Nain this trip. She is scheduled to go to Hopedale then do ports south of there.

It has been 20 days since any freight from Lewisport, by the time she gets loaded again and back who knows how many days will have passed. That would break the record for sure.

Added to the woes CBC is reporting that the Aston is now heading for Makkovik instead of Hopedale due to weather.

We are certainly fast reversing into days gone by.

From the "whose on third" shipping news.

MV ASTRON (Freight Only)

Monday, November 21st

Due to high winds, the Astron will not be going to Makkovik. Will divert to Rigolet. ETA 2:00 pm

Next ports of call: Rigolet

2011-11-20T10:15:00.000-04:00

The old body is feeling like a played 4 downs in the CFL playoffs.

Wednesday I took a fall on ice and bruised the left knee, so have been very cognizant of not wanting to fall on it again.

Saturday I was out getting the ski doo going, it was starving for some gas so made several trips in and out of the porch getting things.

On the third trip out I slipped on a small bit of ice on the middle step. Amazing how the mind processes when in stress. My left knee was heading for the ground first [[this is not good], my right shoulder dropped and my body followed, doing a side ways head over heal roll [even though my back is in bad shape] and onto my arse, then up on my feet.

So my back is aching, I pulled my right thigh mussel and the left knee is still tingling.

Planes came in in great numbers yesterday, lot of people to shift and freight to bring in. Nice day though with wind chills from -17 to –14.

Today is about the same, maybe the wind is lighter at moment.

The mv Astron is on route to Black Tickle today. Not sure its routing as the CIA-Nunatsiavut vessel update is not saying as yet.

It has been 18 days since the last freight arrived from Lewisport.

The store shelves are extremely poorly stocked, lots of people not happy, but it must be OK as no one in elected office [except the newly elected Liberal MHA] is saying boo.

Take a seat,

2011-11-18T05:40:00.000-04:00

Fran insists.

2011-11-18T05:05:00.001-04:00

I am told that this video will excite more woman into breast cancer testing. I can just take the word.

Well we ended up with a nice bit of snow from yesterdays storm. Some ski doos out and about and the scenery is very pleasant to the eye.

Yesterdays CKOK phone in was a little disappointing from a participation perspective, but technically it went off without a hitch, if you don't count the mike level issues, then those seem endemic in the industry.

Six people took the time to call in, which is sort of understandable given the complexity of the Uranium mining issue. I forced myself to call in, as did Fran speaking in Inuktitut.

Out of the six two were for lifting the moratorium on uranium mining and four were against lifting it. It would seem that those for lifting the moratorium are basing their decision solely on economics and those against solely for health concerns of people and environment.
Those opinions seem universal in the uranium mining and nuclear use debate.

Now when OK staff go in to work this morning will someone kindly switch the wrap around feed back to CBC North, Fran missed her Inuktitut programing last evening.

2011-11-17T05:20:00.001-04:00

CKOK radio will be having an open line show today on the possibility of the Nunatsiavut Government lifting a moratorium on Uranium mining on it's lands.

I sincerely hope there are some differing and Independent views put out there than what the "consultants" gave the public in recent NG community consultations.

OKâlaKatiget Society

A special Committee of the Nunatsiavut government recently completed their consultations on the moratorium currently in place on uranium mining and now we want to hear what you have to say. OKalaKatiget Radio is hosting an open line show to discuss the prospect of uranium development within Labrador Inuit Lands. On Thu...rsday, November 17, 2011, we want to hear from you. What are your thoughts on uranium mining? Would you like to see the green light given to uranium mining within LIL? What do you think the economic benefits of uranium mining? What do you think of the environmental impact of uranium mining? What are your thoughts on the Nunatsiavut government’s consultations? Give us a call at the OKalaKatiget Radio studio at 709-922-2955 on Thursday, November 17, 2011, between 1p.m. and 3.p.m. to share your thoughts with our audience.

The vessel updates on the CAI-Nunatsiavut web site continues to confuse [or is it just me]. These are the latest.for the Astron in the order they appeared.

Tuesday, November 15th

ETA Hopedale 2:00pm

Tuesday, November 15^th

ETA Hopedale 9:00 am

Wednesday, November 16th

ETA Hopedale 12:00 pm

Wednesday, November 16th

ETD Natuashish 6:30 pm

ETA Hopedale 11:00 pm

The first two I think I have a handle on, the Astron was on its way north, left Hopedale for Natuashish [though you could not tell by the updates] and have an ETA back in Hopedale on its way south.

The second two I just have no idea about. Good thing I have no freight waiting to be shipped, but I sure pity those that do.

Weather wise we have a snow fall warning issued. I have no trouble with that sure. Despite my taking cautions and wearing ice grippers I came a cropper in a slight icy mound yesterday. Left knee is tingly and ripped my pants in the knee area.

Cutting it fine: Buddy asked if I would take him and his dog to airstrip for their trip to St. John's leaving around 11. OK says I.
Little later buddy calls back and says, "plane leaving earlier seeing that some weather is heading this way".
Get down the strip before 10, plane lands not long after, bit of delay with getting the dog out, pilot is very agreeable, except when he says, "lets get a move on the front is coming across the harbor", and it was.
An hour later there is a mini blizzard out there.

2011-11-16T05:04:00.001-04:00

Carter cant wait for the snow and colder weather now. Right proud in his new Stonz winter booties his Great granm and granpa sent him, a pre-birthday gift seeing as he has them on now.

The first moose under the new moose hunt program was harvested just inside Nain yesterday. Quite a large bugger it was, it was the license that was for the community freezer, still five more licenses for private use.

It was a warm one yesterday, up to +6, about 10 degrees above the normals.

Much chatter about the state of the dock in Hopedale after the Astron arrived yesterday. Containers, mini homes and other freight all but block the access road to the docking area. Nain used to suffer from that until a larger lay down are was constructed.

From looking at the vessel update the Astron will be back in Hopedale today, hopefully to pick up any empty containers.
Maybe in another week or so other communities will start to receive their much delayed supplies.

2011-11-15T12:41:00.001-04:00

The dock in Hopedale as she is/was before the arrival of the Astron today at either 2 pm or 9 am according to the vessel update.
or those that don't know Hopedale, the vessel unloads arse on just in front of the little white shed to the left.

Upurty date from CKOK.

Borrowed photo.

Casual Carter,

2011-11-15T05:46:00.001-04:00

he da man.

Bellow is taken from Facebook page "Food Subsidy and Food Issues on the North Coast". It is from a local store owner.
If it is true then it will be well over the two week turn around into Nain, Makkovik, Postville and Rigolet that Government expects of the service providers.

"Just called Lewisporte to see what was on the Astron for the store and was told that the Astron was not coming to Nain. The boat is loaded for Black Tickle, Hopedale and Natuashish only. He said it was lots of freight there for Nain".

One wonders if any further funds will be held back, it would be hard to keep justifying these penalties seeing as it is the Governments total lack of due diligence and common sense that has caused this debacle in the first place.

I think the people of Nunatsiavut are very patient, maybe to the point of being overly patient. The store shelves are becoming bearer as time goes by, not filling up as they should this time of year, but less choices. Too many items to list, but just for example; choice of cheese has been the pits for months, I was told today at one store that the cheeses are coming from Lewisport, so more wait. The biscuit section, crackers in particular, is almost devoid of any choice, and has been for months.
Same with condiments, and on and on.

Plus at the risk of repeating myself [which I will], where are the Nunatsiavut government spokespeople during all this? On free boondoggle trips out side and bringing in bundles of cheap fresh food on the return trip no doubt.
Plus I would really like to know what role NG plaid in this shipping horror story.

Since writing the above I have learnt that the Astron has three mini homes on board for Hopedale, that takes up some deck space.
Also the dock at Hopedale is hopelessly blocked with empty containers, one can hardly maneuver a pick up let alone deliver three mini homes. Going to be some delay there for sure.

More upbeat; the shoring up of the ditching [with crushed rock] on the new road has started. There is a holding pond sort of thing being constructed at the moment, then rock will go down on the high side ditching.
The holding pond, at a low point, has rock then a layer of filter cloth then more rock, supposedly to catch any silt and dirt sent down in the spring run off.
I am a bit vague on the hydraulics of this when taking into account our weather and the snow falls, at the will moment wait and see how it plays out I guess.

Weather front news: Warm this morning, +3, all the snow we had has either melted overnight or turned to ice on the roads, pedestrians be careful out there, drivers be more careful.