Mom was off in Inuvik (way at the top of the world) the last week of August for her annual strategic planning workshop. I got lucky and it was an amazing "indian summer" with the sun out every day and the colors starting to change.
As a side adventure I headed off to Tuktoyuktuk for an afternoon. It is usually a 20 minute flight out of Inuvik but it was a beautiful day and the pilot decided to give us the premiere tour and fly right up the Mackenzie River - it was amazing!!!!
The delta is awe inspiring.
Tuk is at the top edge of the northern main land mass and right on the artic ocean. It was established as a trading and hunting village based on it's location next to the mouth of the mackenzie river and it's protected harbour.
It is also Mile "0" (well one of three) for the transcanada trail!It is a small traditional community. With a population of approximately 1000 people, over 50% are unemployed. Living off the land is still a primary source for nourishment and sustainment and communal sharing is a core value. A number of us flew over and had a great tour for the afternoon from Roger Gruebens, a former CBC radio host and a member of a significant community family.
We dipped our feet in the artic ocean, experienced the local catholic church and how this has been adjusted to the local community, gained a greater understanding of the residential school experience and talked about the challenges of constructing and maintaining a community well above the artic circle.
(note the sealskin tapestry and the deer antler candleholders)
I am grateful to have had this experience, which was completed through the strength of Roger inviting us into his community and sharing it with us.
