1. St. Theresa Hospital 2. Sunset in North 3. Gerald & Matilda

I was invited on this trip to assist in the Annual Christmas Feast Calm Air hosts in a different community in the Kivalliq region every year. It was a great way to meet most of Calm Air's marketing team. We had fun preparing the feast and it was a huge success as almost the entire community of 350 attended. I stayed with Pete Garvey, the local R.C.M.P. Corporal, and his fiance', Gloria Hewitt. I didn't suffer from lack of sustenance for the week due to Gloria's skills in the kitchen.

Dec.8/Tues.
I departed Winnipeg with an additional piece of luggage, Pete Garvey’s polar bear skin.
In Churchill I discovered my hockey buddy, Brian Berry, was piloting the ATR all the way to Baker Lake.
After Arviat we landed in Rankin Inlet. We picked up Karen Yip when our plane passed through Baker Lake. As Calm Air's Nunavut Area Manager Karen would be coming to Chesterfield Inlet too.
Late afternoon we landed in Chesterfield Inlet. It was very dark with temps at: -34 C (-48C wind chill)
Pete Garvey picked me up with his Constable partner, Etienne. I and my bags were dropped off at the staff house.
After supper Pete and I tried to determine where and how we would put up Pete’s beautiful polar bear hide.
Later I met Launa, a nurse from N.F.L.D. (works at Naja Isabelle Care Home) who dropped in for a visit.

Dec. 9/Wed.
It was a pleasant day with the sun appearing before noon. It remained low on the horizon and disappeared by 3:00pm.
I put my heavy winter clothing on and made the short walk to see Roy Mullins at the C.I.D.C. building. I was informed the Hamlet had approved my proposal to purchase prints of the drawings I had done of local elders. It was great news, indeed.
I headed for the Co-op to see if Karen needed any assistance. I also met Shirley who runs the Co-op and Hotel with her husband, Dean.
Ben Putulik (local Calm Air agent) drove Karen and me to the Victor Sammurtok School. We began preparations for tomorrow's feast.
I met Glen Brocklebank for the first time. I had stayed in Glen and Ana's home on two occasions when first visiting the community.
Pete drove Karen and me back to the detachment office. I found Gloria on guard duty and had been since 3:00am.
In the afternoon Pete, Karen and I welcomed the Calm Air Marketing Team: Brock Weir, Tanya Dnistransky, Bridget Anderson, Tim Paul, John Friess. Soon we were back at school engaged in preparations. I helped get tables and chairs to the gym while photographing the proceedings.
After a terrific supper, Pete, Gloria and I ended up at the Hotel with the Calm Air team. It had been a fun, productive day.

4. Feast Preparations 5. Feast is On! 6. Prize Presentation

Dec.10/Thurs.
The sky was overcast and unfortunately would remain so for several days.
Pete, Etienne and I brought heavy chairs from the Hamlet to the school gym. Everyone else was working hard with food preparations which we soon wheeled to the gym.
By 11:45am everything was in place and the people, who now filled the gym, began forming a food line.
I enjoyed talking with many of the elders I had drawn plus I finally met the mayor, Harry Tootoo. I had drawn his mother, Jenny Tootoo, years earlier.
I spent the next 1 1/2 hours taking a great deal of photos with both my Canon and Pete’s Nikon.
Almost every one in the community was fed and still there was a lot left over.
At 1:00pm. gifts were given out by John Freiss. Alan, the principal, picked tickets out of a bowl held by Tanya. The grand prize of 2 Calm Air tickets was won by a very excited Denise Autut.
Afterwards, the Calm Air team had their well earned turkey supper. We cleaned up; they packed up and departed on the afternoon flight.
Pete ensured leftovers were given to elders or put towards the Christmas Hamper Program. For his efforts before and after the Feast, Pete was voted honorary Turkey Team Member!
That evening Michael Song, a friendly, dedicated, Korean social worker dropped by. We enjoyed animated conversation.
We discovered the outside temperature was -12C. while in Winnipeg they were experiencing wind chills in the minus 40's!! Talk about climate reversal.
I spent much of the night reviewing my numerous photos and determining which to submit to the Kivalliq News.

Dec. 11/Fri.
Just before noon I fought the strong winds to the Naja Care Home with some art cards. Kim Swan was surprised to see me as she thought everyone had left on the flight yesterday.
I spent a good part of the afternoon signing art cards for various individuals.
Checking my email I discovered I had been a co-winner in the People’s Choice Award in Wolfville, NS. This involved the Kingston National Portrait Contest I had entered in May. The artist from Montreal and I would be splitting the $1000.
Late afternoon Pete, Etienne and I arrived at the Northern store to collect mail and managed to spot Leo Mimialik.
That evening Pete, Gloria, Etienne, Carly (his fiance') and I watched the movie 'Four Christmases' at Father Gregory’s. Watching a movie projected on a large wall makes for a viewing experience.

7. The Calm Air Turkey Feast Winning Team of 2009!!

Dec. 12/Sat.
It was another overcast day and would remain that way.
Late morning at the Co-op Shirley introduced me to Matilda Omattok (65 in two days) who was born in the community.
Several hours later Pete and I headed back to photograph Matilda. The low light necessitated using Pete’s Nikon because of its flash capabliities.
That evening, to get in the Christmas spirit, Pete and I watched ‘Polar Express.’ I had never seen it and now know why it is highly regarded.

Dec.13/Sun.
After Gloria's energizing breakfast Pete and I made it back to the Co-op for a second photography session with Matilda. She was very cooperative which helped because the lighting was not great.
Made it back home just in time to sample Gloria's Christmas baking.
After having looked at our digital photographs I decided a last session with Matilda was warranted. That afternoon we were back and I suggested to Pete we try shooting inside. The background is not important to me as long as it doesn't interfere with the subject's tonal value. I spent the last 30 minutes listening to stories of her life. Matilda, unlike many Inuit, had done a significant amount of traveling outside Nunavut.
Needing exercise to counter my caloric intake I went for walk across town.
Launa arrived for supper. We had char that evening. Being from the prairies, I find it interesting hearing how people from the east coast enjoy eating fish and how fish often plays such a large part in their lives. Launa was no exception.

Dec.14/Mon.
The sun finally appeared! Although this meant colder temperatures, it was great to see.
I hustled outside for town photographs. My excitement stemmed from never having been to Chesterfield in winter.
I left Chesterfield Inlet on the early afternoon flight. The sun was already dipping down on the horizon when our plane lifted off.
We headed west towards Baker Lake. I noticed a real shortage of snow making snowmobile travel hazardous.
In Baker I spoke with Karen Yip regarding the success of the feast. We discussed how I might contact 108 year old Rachel from Igloolik. We came up with a plan but Rachel unfortunately passed away less than a week later.
Our plane left Baker in the dark with an increasingly powerful, cold wind.
We arrived in Winnipeg by late evening. It was nice to be home.
Thank you Pete and Gloria, for your Five Star hospitality, experiencing it this time during the winter months.
A big thanks to Calm Air for the invite to this year's Turkey Feast. It was a highlight meeting the marketing team in such a festive atmosphere.
Thanks so much to the people, particularly the elders, of Chesterfield Inlet.