Two weeks ago I was getting concerned that I wasn't getting up to much around here. I was finding myself feeling rather useless (a little at work as I didn't feel I was getting much direction and also just getting involved in the community. I still don't really feel like I've worked much with the people here as all of my work is in the office, on a computer or reading government documents). My supervisor and I have had a few meetings since my frustrations began and I have a few meetings lined up for this week. I've been helping with some project management stuff including a proposal for a food security synthesis paper that will ideally inform government policies and programs related to food security, our meeting for that is tomorrow. Then Wednesday I will be following up with the learning objectives and key messages for the community health worker training related to the new (Inuit-focused) Nunavut Food Guide. The guide is coming out in September/October with an initial Community Health Representation (community health work) training and I will be helping organize the goals of the training based on the existing documents and identified goals/needs. So lately my work plate is becoming more full (and thankfully a bit more satisfying).
Keeping busy out of work however, as I'm learning, is really up to me. Since I asked around about what I can do around town my schedule has become rather full (sweet!).
This week (June 30-July 3rd) is the Alainait Arts Festival (http://www.alainait.ca/). Artists of all kinds will be coming from across the Arctic (the territory, NWT - Northwest Territories, and Greenland to perform and share their art with us here in Iqaluit. There is a lot going on in four days, with a concert every evening. On July 1st the city organized a parade that will drive around town and end at the festival's main site: the Big Top Tent. That's where I'll be volunteering.
Jennifer, my supervisor at work, is on the festival's exec committee and I've joined her in organizing kids crafts and activities for the tent. We've got some interesting crafts including sun goggles made out of felt, and this craft-turn-game called Iyaga. Iyaga is a traditional game that uses a hollow bone with a string attached to another stick-like bone. The purpose of the game is to flick the hollow bone (in this case toilet paper rolls) onto to skinny bone (in this case a pencil) (google iyaga or wait for pictures to come).
As for the sun goggles. These were made out of bone back in the day with tiny slits for your eyes to peak out. This would protect the Inuit's eyes from the bright sun that would reflect of the blinding white snow. The cool thing is that they actually help you see better (it's almost like wearing glasses that make you squint!). My co-worker Larissa and I at work have talked about how advanced this technology is considering how few resources people had living out on the tundra.
On Wednesday we have a kids corner volunteer meeting to cut out all the little pieces and prepare for the weekend. All this craft prep has me a bit excited as it totally brings me back to my girl guide and camp counselor days (love it!). I really hope a lot of kids show up! (although I hope not so many that we run out of supplies!)
I did a first aid shift at a pre-festival concert last week, although I ended up at the door doing ticket sales (good thing though not sure I'd like to be doing any real first aid to be honest... let's keep everyone safe and happy). The volunteer coordinator said I could volunteer in the evenings at the concerts too if I wanted to. I know that sounds a little ambitious to help out so much, but I'm figuring it's also a way to attend the concerts for free! (I can picture my ethics professor from second year discussing theories of volunteerism and if we really do things because we genuinely want to or because we get something out of it... either way they need people and I'll enjoy a night of sweet music!).
My friend Lindsay helps out at the Humane Society here and I started joining her on her shifts. They're severely understaffed (as much of the north is) and they need as many hands to help walk the pups, clean and write policies and such as possible. Right now they have about 6 dogs in the shelter with a couple being adopted this week and a few more coming up from the RCMP by-law (dogs that were found roaming around or were taken from careless owners). I've taken a liking to puppy named AshAsh (I swear I did not name her and if it were up to me her name would be Iya or Asha - only because she's started responding to when I've called her that). She's a beautiful (about) 6 month old german sheppard (I think?) cross with something. She's feisty and full of energy! I've been using the dog walking as a way to get moving/walking while I'm here, but also because I really enjoy the puppies' company.
I took AshAsh to Sylvia Grinell Park (pics of the park to come) on Saturday for two hours. Lindsay said she used to take the dogs home for a day, take them on long walks and sort of foster them. Since I can't have dogs in my apartment (building rules) I took this one to the park. She was really good despite having a gentle leader around her snout (ugly pink thing in the picture). I really (really) wish I could take her home with me (like really really badly). But I don't think know how much my schedule would allow me to properly care for her (God knows I have a hard time taking care of myself lol). Although if I wasn't planning on going abroad for my second placement in January I would seriously consider taking her home. She needs a lot of time, love and attention (and some serious training -- she gets so excited to see the volunteers that she pees her kennel and because she was abandonned so young she has a bit of feeding aggression i.e. she gets kind of wild when you have treats or when you give her food). I totally feel like a little kid in pet store all over again 'cuz I really want this puppy (in a premature puppy-love kind of way). With some training of the shelter staff (training me to know how to train dogs) I'm hopeful that I can help train this little one so that she can become adoption-ready for a good family who can look after her.
AshAsh being sweet
Aside from that, I started going to this gumboot group that meets, now, two times a week. Larissa met some sweet girls who get together and practice at one of the girl's houses and she invited me to join. I've been twice so far and will be going tomorrow during lunch. It's a lot of fun and really challenging. It's great 'cuz it definitely get my mind working but gets me moving too. For those of you who don't know what gumboot is here's a link with a bit of a background: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gumboot_dance (yay wiki for the most easily accessible information) and this wicked video for your viewing pleasure http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsKIKS6zUrs&feature=related and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5Nk-VdDuv8&feature=related . We definitely do not sound that good (nor do we have fancy instruments and musical voices) but we're working on it! We were talking about having a mini-workshop for kids at the festival or even something later on for the youth in town. How awesome would that be?! I'm really excited about this group 'cuz it's been a lot of fun and I'm starting to catch on! (though I could really use a lot more practice) Some days have a the beats stuck in my head. Hopefully as time goes on I'll get a better.
I should also mention that my supervisor pulled a stunt at a department meeting last week. Jennifer surprised us with the "butterfly" a wicked gumboot beat. She used to be a gumboot performer back in college! She can do all these cool rhythms and is quite impressive! Maybe I'll be learning more from her than just dietetic practice, haha. That's all for now!
I am requesting a pair of sun goggles. Make it two pairs. Thanks.
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