It's not everyday that someone knocks on your door and tries to sell you a polar bear tooth. But that's exactly what happened to me today; and after two weeks of being up here it almost seemed normal, or should I say, I wasn't surprised. Yes, I'm in Canada, but it doesn't feel like it.
Gjoa Haven is very far north. I am up here working for three weeks helping to build an extended care center. Slowly the people of the north are adapting to "southern" culture through new developments such as these. But thankfully there are still strong currents of inuit culture and practices imbedded in their day to day lives. It is not uncommon for some of my colleagues to skip work because the weather is perfect for sealing or hunting, or to speak in their own language with one another. They are a day to day people, attune with the moment and their surroundings; they are smart, artistic, friendly and peaceable.
