...and is continuing over the weekend so may spend a some times indoor. My office internet has been shut down for over a week so have been shuffling over to the health center. Am thankful for the children who come in the afternoon and want to walk the dog. Last night did not get home from the office until about 8 PM and had a splitting headache. A nap and a visit to a neighbour for tea later helped.

Here are some of the scenes this week I captured on my camera some very moody as this one or amazing light as this one taken at midnight.  The ice continues to move in and out of the bay and although nippy I like to sit on the shore and watch the activities. Dysis finds some muqtuq to chew or bury and some are preparing to get their boats on the water. These were taken on the morning walk.

I had two inquiries this week from others about working in mental health or social work and living in Nunavut and I thought I would share a few of my thoughts. Please also click on the top for Northern blogsites. Jaime in Rankin Inlet has a great side bar on FAQs about this. http://newnavut.blogspot.com/2007/05/nunavut-faqs.html

Here are some of my thoughts on my coverage here compared to Kugluktuk, a hamlet of about 1200 in the western Arctic, the Kitikmeot region. I spent four summers and Christmases there and miss many of the friendships developed. However, as they are now permanently staffed, the likelihood of doing any casual work is not very great. You can go back in my blog about 18 months ago and get some of my photos there.

One of the greatest differences is in language; Kugluktuk is at the mouth of the Coppermine River, just about parallel with the Arctic Circle and the descendants of the Copper Inuit.  Holman Island and Cambridge Bay also in this group. So the language dialect is Inuactuin. Simple phrases like thank-you…koana vs. Qanamiq or hik-hiks vs. sik-siks for the arctic ground squirrel.

Beautiful setting in Arctic Bay with large cliffs and great hiking areas and definitely more roads than Kugluktuk. Obviously colder and darker as well in winter. Construction of new homes and a new airport has some job opportunities. In Kugluktuk many are employed at the mines such as Diavik. Always housing shortages but have a fairly new but smaller house reserved for the social worker. No vehicle here for social services where as one in Kugluktuk. Costs more expensive and I would honestly think of food mail. Right now before sealift cans of Pepsi are $5. Generally a friendly and welcoming community if you get involved. Over 90% Inuit, many unilingual and pop. 600. Elementary school is totally in Inuktitut. Two churches..Anglican and Pentecostal. Some good programs for youth like cadets and summer day camp. Dog teams in the winter and some dogs treated well and others not.

Expensive to get in and out. A few weeks ago when I thought I might have to return to Edmonton because of some family concerns, priced out a return ticket and was $5000.

Work wise here you would have to be prepared to do alot on your own, and possibly probation as well. Direct supervision comes from Pond Inlet and regional office in Pangnirtung. The office here is separate from the health center, shared with the addictions worker Mary and regional mental health nurse Irene who also has 4 other communities, thus traveling.

The usual situations from spousal abuse to drugs and alcohol, fair bit of working with the school. As with other communities often working repeatedly with the same families. Was one suicide in the spring. Has community justice committee and counseling group associated with the church. Doesn't seem to be as high as crime rate as Kugluktuk, where the RCMP always busy. Let's say never bored but also some quieter days and more hectic ones. All I can say is that you have to love what you do as a social worker.