I must be qualified to be a bank teller now. Welfare cheques came out yesterday so both yesterday and today have been insanely busy...lineups all day long to cash these cheques. I realize that there aren't a lot of employment opportunities up here but by 7:30 tonight I couldn't help but feel like 99% of the population is on welfare.
Of course it's a big night for Lotto Max too, so the lineup for Lottery was almost as long. With all the insanity of the day I completely forgot that I was going to buy a ticket too...oh well, I guess I'll keep on living humbly.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Pretty Pictures
If you know me you know I love art, so it's been a bit disappointing that I haven't seen much if it around here. I'm sure there is plenty out there, just nowhere that I can find it. I recently discovered that one of the guys who works at the store has a brother who is an up and coming artist in the Province. At my request he stopped by to show me some of his pieces.
I picked up a couple small paintings which will be a lovely reminder of my time here in Cross Lake. The one with the raven will remind me of the ones that regularly visit the garbage trailer behind the store. The one of the bear will make me think about Richard because he has a nice one of a Polar bear, done by the same artist, in his office.
The artist's name is Ricky Hamilton and he has pieces in Galleries in Winnipeg.
I picked up a couple small paintings which will be a lovely reminder of my time here in Cross Lake. The one with the raven will remind me of the ones that regularly visit the garbage trailer behind the store. The one of the bear will make me think about Richard because he has a nice one of a Polar bear, done by the same artist, in his office.
My most humbling experience to date
Since the time I arrived here I have been wanting to experience the culture in a very real and honest way. The Pow Wow was great but being in an arena took something away from it; making it more of a performance than a ritual.
Every so often we get to experience something that we will remember our entire lives. I recently got to have one of those amazing experiences.
Richard and I were invited to a traditional ceremony at the home of the Deputy Chief. Obviously since it was a Sacred Ceremony I can't go into any details except to say it was extremely powerful, somewhat unnerving and definitely educational. I am in total awe and extremely honoured.
This photo conjures up the feeling of tradition which is why I've added it but it has nothing to do with the ceremony itself. I obviously didn't take pictures.
Every so often we get to experience something that we will remember our entire lives. I recently got to have one of those amazing experiences.Richard and I were invited to a traditional ceremony at the home of the Deputy Chief. Obviously since it was a Sacred Ceremony I can't go into any details except to say it was extremely powerful, somewhat unnerving and definitely educational. I am in total awe and extremely honoured.
This photo conjures up the feeling of tradition which is why I've added it but it has nothing to do with the ceremony itself. I obviously didn't take pictures.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Sunrise in Cross Lake
I love the crisp and clear mornings up here. Whenever it's like that we seem to have beautiful sunrises. The morning I took these pictures I happened to have enough spare time to scoot back inside to grab my camera.
Even though I was quick the sky changed considerably. The sky was still pretty but it wasn't the brilliant pinky orange that it had been just moments before. The only downside is that the Eastern view isn't quite as picturesque as the Western one.
Even though I was quick the sky changed considerably. The sky was still pretty but it wasn't the brilliant pinky orange that it had been just moments before. The only downside is that the Eastern view isn't quite as picturesque as the Western one.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Bannock
I'm disappointed to say that I haven't seen or heard of many traditional dishes up here with the exception of Bannock. Bannock is a favorite among native people it seems. It's a type of bread that can be baked or fried. When baked it has the texture and a similar taste to tea biscuits...but heavier. Fried it is more like a heavy donut; tasty especially with some cinnamon sugar on top.
After tasting it a while back, I thought it would be fun to try make it myself. I did the baked version earlier but this is the fried one. It's not something I'll make often since it is not exactly low-cal but it's fun to do every so often. Tobie's wife was kind enough to give me the recipe and a few tips along the way. If you'd like to make it yourself I've posted the recipe on my "Recipe" page to the right.
After tasting it a while back, I thought it would be fun to try make it myself. I did the baked version earlier but this is the fried one. It's not something I'll make often since it is not exactly low-cal but it's fun to do every so often. Tobie's wife was kind enough to give me the recipe and a few tips along the way. If you'd like to make it yourself I've posted the recipe on my "Recipe" page to the right.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
The Crossing
Cross Lake is aptly named since it surrounds much of the town in a "cross" formation. As you can imagine it can be a long drive to get from one part of town to another. Like many other Northern communities the residents look forward to the time that the winter roads open up. They call them winter roads because there's no way you could use them any other time of year...mainly because you'd be under water.
I'm quite a chicken when it comes to ice; a complete nervous wreck walking on ice that's two feet thick so I can't even begin to imagine driving on it. It seems to me that the lake had just frozen over and a week later people were driving on it. CRAZY!
I actually had my camera out because I liked the late afternoon sun on the buildings at the ramp where the cars head out onto the lake but I figured you might get a kick out of the cars driving across.
I'm quite a chicken when it comes to ice; a complete nervous wreck walking on ice that's two feet thick so I can't even begin to imagine driving on it. It seems to me that the lake had just frozen over and a week later people were driving on it. CRAZY!
I actually had my camera out because I liked the late afternoon sun on the buildings at the ramp where the cars head out onto the lake but I figured you might get a kick out of the cars driving across.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
The North hasn't changed me that much...
My friends back home in Ontario will be happy to know that my wacky mind is still intact. We had this great Coke display at the store for about a week and I couldn't walk by it without wishing I had some rings to toss. I SO wanted to try to win a giant teddy bear!
Too bad it's gone now; I was trying to think up some motivational game for the staff...Alas, much like those coke bottles, I'll have to shelve that idea for awhile.
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