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Back to Nunavut

By James Lapp posted 02-14-2012 05:07 PM

  


Last year I had the great fortune to travel to Iqaluit for the Edmonton Centre of Excellence and be involved in training of employees from a number of Nunavut Communities.  This year, we again make a trip to Nunavut for the second year of training.   This time we go to a place called Rankin Inlet, which is located on the west side of Hudson Bay somewhere way north of Winnipeg.   

Some of you may have heard of Rankin Inlet since it is the home of Jordan TooToo who plays hockey for the Nashville Predators.  

I have been to Rankin Inlet twice before, but only as a stop over on the way to, and the way home from Iqaluit.   I have yet to see anything of the town outside the airport terminal.  On the last stop there, the outside temperature was a balmy -40 C (only common temperature with fahrenheit) with a brisk wind.  The short 2 minute walk from the plane to the terminal was quite unpleasant.   

Once inside, the terminal was a buzz of activity.  It was like a community gathering where people came to visit with friends and family.   I was immediately taken by the colourful inuit clothing worn by many of the women and the northern travelers dressed in their Arctic Parkas, while I'm dressed in my southerner City Slicker outerwear.  I must have looked like a misfit, and certainly like the rookie northern traveler that I was.   '

The training program is again on landfill operation and dealing with hazardous waste.  Last year we had some sense of what to expect, but we learned much more about the issues and challenges that northern communities are face with, not only with managing their solid waste, but with other services like water and sewer.  We also learned a little bit about the Inuit culture and way of life.  I know that I am mesmerized by this unique culture and their gift to the world.  

We leave for Rankin Inlet next week.  We first fly to Yellowknive, NWT, then on to Rankin Inlet.  We'll be there for 7 days.   I'll try to update you on this adventure as the days go by, although based on last years experience, it will depend on how reliable the internet access is.   

I'm quite positive that although this is our second training trip to Nunavut (my third), I know that we'll continue to learn more about Northern Canada.   

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