Blizzarding in Moosonee

Hey everyone!
Well, I haven't updated for awhile so here's whats been happening in Moosonee.
A couple of weeks ago, a bunch of us from Payukanayo were booted out into the cold and snow to see if we could survive long enough and well enough to earn our certification. The training included how to build a fire, what trees to look for, how to find dry wood and how to build a windbreak. This was a two day workshop.
Day One. We sat on our butts drinking coffee and rehashing old survival stories of the past.
Day Two. The real test. We were dropped off at the side of the road about 2 miles from town in the bush and told to do survivor-like things. The good news is that we did very well. And by saying we did very well I mean we ate very well. There were hotdogs (with no ketchup. This is survival after all) steaks, moose ribs, bannock on a stick (With raisins!!!) and goose roasted on a stick.
So that brings me to the bad part which is our survival course turned out to be more of a potluck in the snow where we kind of just hung out for the rest of the day. But it was fun. We did manage to build a windbreak.
There was also a film festival recently that was very entertaining. Unforetunately we got stood up by Adam Beach (Really!)
Baking in the Katima-house is always a chore because A) the stove was the first one ever invented and B) The house was abandoned 6 years before we moved in. So icedentally the bottom element is cold and the top barely works. I was better off cooking in the snow.
So most of our bread comes out literally burnt at the top and raw in the middle. But our PL stands firm. We must bake our own bread. She would rather see us all croak from Samonella then die a premature death due to preservatives. (Just kidding Julia. You're awesome!)
Its been blizzarding like crazy around here. I went over to Moose Factory to meet with the Eco-Lodge manager regarding the banquet and was stranded there for an hour and a half because of the blowing snow. On the bright side the manager must of felt sorry for me. He brought me a sample plate of bison ravioli (SO GOOD!!!) and a coffee, all free.
The snow falls are averaging about 30cm each. It will storm for two days, then it will melt a little and snow some more. But sledding is fun.
Finally there is a local radio station that the Katimaviks run on thier blocks off. I went last Tuesday and it was a blast! All they listen to out here is country and cultural tunes so our music is huge for them. That is assuming that they acually listen!
Well, i should close for now. I miss Saskatchewan (And Saskatoon) so much! I miss the flatness. I miss listening to Jeff Rogstad do the weather. I miss people talking in english. I miss brown sugar you don't have to chip a piece off of with your spoon. An I miss milk in jugs not bags. And I miss all the people in Saskatoon. (And the one in Thailand> Hey Amanda!)

Now some actual details!

I have arrived safely in Moosonee but not without some difficulties. I was nervous about flying but I got over that quickly. Flying itself is a snap. It's getting on the damn plane to begin with thats the hard part! I won't go into details but I will say that it involves 10 pounds overwieght luggage, 12 t-shirts, 1 vest, 2 sweatshirts, a pair of manacure scissors,one set of lost luggage keys and a drug testing dog.

Other then that it was uneventful. Moosonee itself is a very beautiful town with aprox 3500 people. Then if you walk across the river to Moose Factory (they are so creative with names here) there is a better store then the one in Moosonee and 3500 more people (mostly Cree)

Other then unpacking which is a slow ongoing process we went to a Pow wow last week which was followed by a pot luck feast! The main attractions of that feast was the bannock, the moose stew (made with genuine moose) and roast beaver.
I had every intention of trying all the foods that were there. The bannock I have had before and it was delicious. The moose stew can only be descibed appropriately as 'gamey' not that I have exp[earience with wild food. It just seems like the most appropriate word. As for the beaver, I lost my desire to try it when the person in from of me was served the head which was pulled out of the pan by it's teeth.

The dancing was quite cool though. I don't know if you have ever been to one of these engagements but the costumes are so intricate and colourful. Simply covered in bells and chimes. My personal favorite was the ring-dancers. Its amazing how they can shape so many hoops into such a variety of shapes! I can't even make one twirl around my hips properly!

After being spoiled all December by B.C's 'winter' I am finally being reminded of what it really is with -35 with windchill tempatures. There is also a ton of snow here! Well, that is the same as in Saskatchewan but there the wind blows it all away while here we actually have to shovel!

I will be starting my job at Paygatano which is a foster family services program. My work will include planning a banquet for all the local foster parents.

In Moosonee Ontario, the official middle of nowhere!

Well, not really of course. But there are no roads that come up here so it is pretty isolated. You either have to take the train up here or fly. There is tons of snow up here and yesterday there was a blizzard. Also, fpr those that haven't heard, Ottawa had its first offical earthquake in a long time. 4.5 on the richter scale!
Lets see. I have been here a week as of today. I will be working at Paygatano which is a foster family community. Lots of organizing events and footwork. Sounds like a blast and I can hardly wait to get started!
The house we live in is smaller then the one is Salmon Arm but in Quebec we will all be squeezed in an apartment so this is great. Last Sunday we attended a Pow Wow. It was really amazing watching all the different costumes, hearing the music and watching them dance.My favorite was the ring-dancing because it is so amazing how they make the rings flow to the beat.
The skies out here are pretty amazing at night, although not as cool as the good ole Prairies. On a cold night you can see the stars sizzling like fireflies in the sky.
Moose Factory is a 45 minute walk over the river (Yes on the water, well the ice) We have two main stores The Northern in Moosone and Gigi's in Moose Factory. Thats it!
Well, now that I have given you a small glimpse of my new home I will give you a small tip that I learned from the katima-kitchens.
If it walks out of the fridge and out the door....let it go!

Peace out you all!
Mel