Countdown to Easter Break

Trail in to the Lake

 The Spring Equinox has come and gone in the north. The people from India celebrated Holi. My class went ice skating. I thought Spring would come by now, but as you can see from the picture above, the temperatures have stayed well below zero.

So what do the First Nations people do during their never ending winter? As the days are getting longer and the temperatures slowly rise, it is time to get outside and prepare for the Spring Goose Hunt. There are snowmobiles pulling huge toboggans, four wheelers and people driving on the Winter roads for possibly the last time. Daylight savings time keeps up the sun up longer in the afternoons and people are more cheerful.

Hiking in to the lake along the snowmobile trail

Setting up the holes

Waiting for the snow to melt into water and the water to boil

Twice now our school has engaged in a school-wide ice fishing day. Once along the shore of James Bay, and yesterday on a small lake much closer to the school. In fact it was a fishing derby. And though no fish were captured, the students and staff had a wonderful time. The wind was strong and snow fell but these people are adaptable and it wasn't long until a campfire was built and hotdogs were roasted. We even used the fire to heat the snow for tea.

 While the teachers hung out keeping a close watch on the children, a game of soccer evolved, wood was gathered, a lighter was found and everyone enjoyed the heat and flames from the fire.

A nice shelter for breaking the wind- 

children gathered cedar boughs to sit upon

Gathering wood

Cooking hotdogs

 Because the water for hotdogs was taking too long to boil, it was decided to gather long sticks for cooking them on the open flame. The fire was right on the ice and melted about six inches down creating a lovely fire pit. The hotdogs were delicious right off the stick or placed on a bun with ketchup.

Eventually the water did boil on the wood fire and the children enjoyed a warm cup of tea with milk and sugar. The teachers stood by hoping for a warm drink and thinking about the hot baths we would take when we got home.

The hotdog rush was over, time to relax and chill

As the fire died down, our leader finally gets his hot dog!

It was a great day!

You may notice that my blogs have become less frequent. This is because the internet at the  teacherages is not too reliable. Hence, I have come in to work on a Saturday to use the school's internet and to communicate.

The lack of internet at home has been a small source of frustration; however, such is life in a northern town. You take the bad with the good, turn your frown upside down and carry on the best you can.

Hopefully it will never come to this!

Until next time,

Bee Rich

PS Only nine more class days until the Easter Break, which this year coincides with the Goose Hunt. I will be home in Maberly for almost ten days!