Patriotic Travellers in the Liberal Arts, Northwest Territories, Canada
Northern Humpty YEG-GA with D.F. at Steep's Tea House, Edmonton, Spring 2016
Introduction: About Northern Humpty YEG-GA, D.F. and L.A.
Norhern Humpty YEG-GA is derived from a chunk of selinite that the School of One Carver acquired from the retired rock merchant Asad on 118 Avenue Edmtonton. The rock was utilized to sculpt a small group of YEG-GA carvings as well as some "fish" given to dignitaries and individuals who clearly left their mark upon the memory of the Carver. Despite the softness of the selinite, it proves to be difficult to work with and it easily shatters or "scuffs". The Carver quickly learned that it was far more practical to embrace the "imperfections" of the selinite into the design and "natural history" of the micro-sculptures. Northern Humpty YEG-GA, which began its journeys with D.F. and L.A. in Spring, 2016, actually "took a tumble" and had to be "re-sculpted" just before departure from Rossdale, Edmonton, a misfortune which also explains the carving's name.
D.F. and L.A. are seasoned veterans of the Global Art Project. The Homeglen School of One will always be grateful for their generous support and thoughtful collaboration. Their commitment to the promotion of pedagogical excellence and advanced literacy, including cultural literacy, in the Northwest Territories and "home in Norman Wells" is only matched by their cosmpolitan approach to the acquisition of knowledge through travel, further confirmed by L.A.'s vignettes which document a Caribbean adventure in Summer, 2016. D.F. presents the first vignette in this e-travel space while L.A. follows with a legion of her own.
D.F. Account Received Summer, 2016: Canada Day, Norman Wells
Everyone Loves A Parade, Norman Wells Edition
11:45AM, 1 July, 2016. 19°C.
This year I was part of the Norman Wells Canada Day parade. The theme of our float was “Education is Power” representing Aurora College and the department of Education, Culture and Employment. The passengers included an adult educator dressed in a superhero ensemble; education was their superpower. There were two recent graduates of post-secondary education aboard holding their career plans and aspirations on a sign. We also had a young boy holding a sign stating: “When I grow up I will be a police [sic] or a ninja.” As we drove around town we tossed out candy to the crowds of children that gathered to see the parade. As they congregated around the piles of thrown candy, our future ninja-police officer sprayed his peers playfully with a water gun. Canada Day in Norman Wells is a great spectacle of our community’s ability to come together and celebrate. It starts early in the morning with a parade, the anthem and speeches. It runs through lunch with a huge town-wide barbecue and concludes with Canada Day themed trivia and games in the “Big Bar” (which is still named the “Big Bar” despite being the only bar in town after the “Small Bar” closed down years ago).
L.A. Accounts Conceived, Spring to Summer 2016: NWT and the Caribbean
Inuksuit
Norman Wells, Northwest Territories, 2:48PM, June 9, 2016. 14.4°C
The carvings Yorkino Fish Boat and Habenero Sail Marlin with Northern Humpty YEG-GA have located some company with a decorative Inuksuit. This mug sits in my office and reminds me of the places that we have seen the friendly Inuksuit. I reminisce about seeing Inuksuit in Palm Springs and Yellowknife. Where else will we see them? We will keep our eyes open for other Inuksuit on our travels.
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Wild Rose Jelly
Norman Wells, Northwest Territories, 6:16PM, June 14, 2016. 11.9°C
We spent one evening making wild rose jelly. Our instructor did the hard work of collecting the petals from the wild roses. From there, we measured, cooked and poured our concoction into jelly jars. Pictured here are the rose petals being prepared to be cooked, the straining of rose petals, and final product poured into jars. This was certainly a yummy treat to go along with our freshly made bannock.
Please see the links below for one recipe very similar to the one we used. I have also included link to a bannock recipe. I am kinda’ partial to fried bannock.
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National Aboriginal Day
Norman Wells, Northwest Territories, 12:02PM, June 21, 2016. 16.8°C
We spent the day at the Aboriginal Day celebrations. The celebration was sponsored by the Norman Wells Historical Centre and Norman Wells Land Corporation. There was a feast of caribou stew, fried fish and cake. Later in the afternoon there was a children’s fashion show of traditional clothing. A very pleasant way of spending Aboriginal Day.
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Inuksuit at the Norman Wells Historical Centre
Norman Wells, Northwest Territories, 1:15PM, June 21, 2016. 19.5°C
The Norman Wells Historical Centre has Inuksuit for sale today. They are not always available but today there is a small selection. What an iconic souvenir to help remember the North.
Canada Day Celebrations
10:39AM, 1 July, 2016. 18.5°C.
There are Canada Day celebrations almost everywhere in Canada and Norman Wells is no exception. Every year, the community looks forward to the Canada Day celebrations. We attended the pancake breakfast which was followed by the parade. The RCMP and the Volunteer Fire crew were dressed in their formal gear. Members on the floats threw candy to the spectators. A barbeque was held after the parade. While we were eating our lunch, the Citizen of the Year Awards were presented. Next came the national anthem and cutting of the cake. The day continued with an afternoon of family games and finally ended with a free swim at the pool. All and all a wonderful day. Happy Birthday Canada!
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For some insight into official prescriptions for Canada Day, please see, Canada Day
Inukshuk Landscape
Norman Wells, Northwest Territories, 1:32PM, 1 July 21, 2016. 23°C
Here is an Inukshuk as a lawn ornament. I wonder how many times have I walked this street and didn’t notice this Inukshuk, it looks like that it has been at this location for quite some time. Northern Humpty YEG-GA has reminded me that I should be more observant of my surroundings.
Path to Joséphine, Fort de France
Martinique, Caribbean, 6:51PM, July 17, 2016. 27.5°C
The island of Martinique, an overseas region of France in the Caribbean, offers an unusual mix of French culture with a Caribbean flavour. It has a very rich tourist industry where many travelers visit the island, including my husband and I. We really enjoyed the weather, food, music, culture and the people.
We also learned how Joséphine de Beauharnais, later known as Joséphine Bonaparte, was born in Martinique. According to the locals, Joséphine advocated to keep slavery even though the institution was abolished. Her position certainly helps explain the reason that Joséphine is not held in high regard. Her statue, located close to the mosaic tiles pictured, was beheaded and her title was removed from the base of the statue.
Rum
Martinique, Caribbean, 1:49PM, July 20, 2016. 27°C
Many of the islands in the Caribbean are known for producing rum, a product of the fermentation of sugar cane. Pictured in the background are barrels from Habitation Clement, a producer of rum in Martinique. The empty barrels are placed in strategic tourist areas to entice tourist to visit the distilleries. I didn’t realize the variety of rums that are available. Here is what is available; grapefruit, white, spiced, coconut, pineapple, banana, mango, orange, starfruit, lime, dark, gold (aged), light, overproof, and premium.
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Caution
Martinique, Caribbean, 2:44PM, July 20, 2016. 28°C
Serious injuries and even deaths have occurred by getting hit in the head by a coconut. Being hit in the head by a coconut is a very rare (more people are attacked by sharks than injured by coconuts) yet a very serious occurrence. The number of deaths per year, 150, has become an urban myth. A solution that many hotels and governmental departments have resorted to is to remove the coconuts or even the trees from hotels and park grounds. The resort in Martinique used this sign to notify residents not to walk under coconut trees. Other resorts in the world, such as ones in Guadeloupe and Hawaii, also have notices to warn people not to walk under coconut trees. Even though the chances that I get hit in the head with a coconut is almost nil, I now check that I’m not under a coconut tree with ripe coconuts. I wouldn’t want to cut my holiday short because of an incident with a coconut.
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Rain Forest
Dominica, Caribbean, 2:31PM July 26, 2016. 32°C
The majority of the Caribbean islands are covered by a tropical rain forest and Dominica (not to be confused with the Dominican Republic) is one island where a majority of the land has remained as unaltered natural rain forest. Our accommodations in Dominica was nestled in the middle of the rain forest. There were several days of extreme downpour for a short period of time, half an hour to one hour, followed by blistering sun shine. The rain showers ensure that the lush environment continues to thrive. Tourist who wish to experience a natural rain forest and willing to trek some difficult trails are rewarded with some of the most spectacular sites.
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A Tasted of Home
Dominica, Caribbean, 11:27AM July 27, 2016. 29°C
For eight days of our holiday, we rented a house that was nestled in the rain forest in Dominica. We went to the grocery store to pick up some supplies to make meals in our temporary abode and perched upon the shelves was an iconic Canadian product, one that generations of Canadians know promises "oats in one minute". I had to purchase the package and I had a taste of home every morning while I was in Dominica.
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Hot Springs
Dominica, Caribbean, 3:05PM July 28, 2016. 32°C
Dominica is a volcanic island therefore there are several hot springs situated all around the island. While snorkeling, my husband swum by one of the underground hot springs which is appropriately named Champagne (see second link). Northern Humpty YEG-GA recognized the familiar smell of Sulphur beside one of the hot springs at Soufriere in Dominica.
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Miniature Vultures
Guadeloupe, Caribbean, 9:33AM August 4, 2016. 23°C
While I was having breakfast, several species of the small local birds were perched on the fence waiting for me to leave. When a table was vacated, they came swooping down and picked at what ever leftovers there were. They weren’t very discriminating; any leftovers would do. These miniature vultures gather on the fence at every breakfast, lunch and dinner hoping to feast before the goodies were cleared by the staff.
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The Golden Arches
Guadeloupe, Caribbean, 2:43AM August 10, 2016. 31°C
Since it was our last day in the Caribbean, we decided to spend the rest of the afternoon on the beach just enjoying the scenery and the atmosphere. Northern Humpty YEG-GA, my husband and I decided to have lunch on the beach in Guadeloupe. While eating, we observed typical beach activities -- such as toddlers playing in the sand, seadoos roaring by, people snorkeling, and pelicans doing acrobatics while fishing. Then, my eyes spied the Golden Arches. There were two “Happy Meals” on the tables on the beach. The next day, while driving to the airport, we saw billboards for the following franchises: Kentucky Fried Chicken, Burger King and the globally recognized golden arches of McDonalds. Another sign of Globalization, to be sure.
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Accounts Received Fall, 2016
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, September 15, 2016
Edmonton Alberta. August 22, 2016
Inuksuit Everywhere!
Northern Humpty YEG-GA has met many other Inuksuit since we began travels together last Spring. The Inukshuk in Edmonton, a soapstone carving from the Eastern Arctic, was encountered in in an office in the city’s Downtown on August 22, 2016. The Inuksuit found in Yellowknife on September 15, 2016, were created from recycled glass and sold at the souvenir shop at the airport. We’ve also seen Inuksuit for sale in stores in downtown Victoria. The Inukshuk is the prominent symbol of the flag of the newest territory, Nunavut. The Inukshuk is a wonderful symbol frequently associated with Canada and we will continue to search for them on our travels.
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Pride Parade
Norman Wells, Northwest Territories, 2:40PM, September 21, 2016. 13°C
This is the second year that the students at Mackenzie Mountain School have participated in the Pride Parade. A large dog joined the students on the parade around the town promoting tolerance and acceptance. It was wonderful to see a few community members joining the students in the parade.
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