This entry is written in response to one sent to me by my daughter in Vancouver http://www.dreamingovertheocean.blogspot.com
where she is running in apple and cherry blossoms and tulips.
Mean while in Alberta still frost on the windshield, 
bits of snow in tree hollows 
on the ravine walks 
and the only tulips are these yellow 
and red ones 
hidden on a protected west wall of the church courtyard where i did garden clean up last November.
when the city crew came out on the backed up basement sewer and used the camera on the line....dogs back but sewer still plugged on Sunday night....thought we needed to rip up the basement floor to get at blockage....1950s house....oh yeah...couldn't find the the main stack so had to go making holes in basement drywall to find it...
Dysis wouldn't stop talking to me and Nanuq kept jumping up...some of the reactions to my return after 11 weeks absence. some of the our of our encounters since....skiff of snow on the front porch 
and wrestling with each other, trips in the car 
back seat covered with a sheet for muddy paws as the creek 
in the ravine is a frequent attraction especially for Nanuq, but Dysis also finds her way across. 
.....and starting to surface and unpack since arrival last Friday.....No weather delays but did the " milk run" flights 
of Gjoa Haven, Cambridge Bay, Yellowknife, Hay River, Edmonton....lost the package of frozen char somewhere near Yellowknife 
......hit the return transition too quickly going straight into a weekend marriage prep workshop, and got my first full blown spring cold, 
in crash and sleep mode for a few days....but the temp difference is great! 
Actually doing some garden clean up....now back to regular routines, the fish finally found and had 2 steaks last night with wine
..lovely...my huskies glued to me in most activities.
These are some shots of the delightful times where one observes some of the mixing of ages, traditional vs. modern cultures, Inuit and non-Inuit. the foot prints here 
were a pre-school day at the clinic encouraging check ups and inoculations; a young mom 
with a smile packing shirt and toque; 5 year old accompanying his father 
who was selling green and black soap stone carving of a drum dancer: at the school 
elders demonstrating traditional string and bone games and 
trying on caribou clothing 
John 20 tells us “ Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb…” and the subsequent return of Simon Peter running and the other disciple who peered in to the tomb uncertain what to expect, finding the linen cloths wrapped up and Jesus’ body gone.
We know the rest of the account from the belief of the other disciple to the sorrow of Mary and appearance of Jesus in the garden.
This has been my first Easter in the arctic and much quieter and different than the normal celebrations of Holy Week which may include the “Outdoor walk of the way “ on Good Friday or services at my local parish.
On Saturday I got out on the skis, a beautiful sunny, clear day and a balmy minus 15oC….made it around to the far side of the hamlet to a large igloo that I have been wanting to explore for a while. 
Although I know it past weeks it has been manned, often seeing a ski doo outside, possibly several people gathering for tea, this afternoon it was looking quite abandoned, snow covered including the regular long entrance. Circling once I found a spot on the opposite side 
that had been broken open. Somewhat cautiously, took off the skis and went in side. Evidence of previous activities such as smoke encrusted walls, 
cooking and tea boiling, an ice window 
and blocked main entrance…. these remnants spoke of life and activity.
On my return ski I was surprised by a dog team that was out for a run with excited dogs full of energy. 
Perhaps not identical to those who approached the tomb with the stone removed but there were some parallels for Easter in the arctic.
As Christians at Easter we celebrate “ Lord of Life and Power, through the resurrection of your Son, you have overcome the old order of sin and death and made all things new in him.”
Around the hamlet being a 4 day weekend there were many getting out on the land, 
either camping or in hopes of caribou hunting; on the way walking to church ran into 3 children toting empty Easter baskets but going to see their grandparents, the two hour service at the Anglican Church 
had both the Eucharist, visitors from Taloyoak, in Inuktitut but sermon interpreted thankfully and many “ Happy Easter “ greetings following.
Dinner was quieter but delicious… 
My new roommate Ed had rice, chicken, and cod fish patties, 
all nicely seasoned….many of which reflect his Bajan roots. 
A later visit from Elsa who is teaching the Home care ladies for the new long term facility here….so tea and good conversation, and one of my plants toted to her home as I am getting ready to leave this week and not taking any green with me.
Puppy innoculations at the clinic garage.....the photos tell it all!
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Before the end of the month I will be back in Edmonton after about 10 weeks of regular shifts at the health center as an acting social work supervisor, covering 3 hamlets in the mid-Canadian arctic of Nunavut.
There may be the official job description which includes admin duties, child protection work, foster home liaison, working with other disciplines from mental health to home care, nursing, schools and RCMP but as I reflect I have worn many other hats and “unofficial” roles.
Included has been:
• Dental educator 
during “ drop the pop “ week when I spoke to the elementary classes 
on good eating habits and teeth brushing
• Travel agent in planning visits for parents their child in a group home in another community either in Nunavut or Alberta and travel delays due to weather
• Admirer and sometimes purchaser of local crafts from wall hangings 
to carvings
• Vets assistant in arranging for the air delivery of puppy shots and meds not available locally
• Admirers of children both those visiting the clinic 
and playing outside as these ones were this week. 
There was a hamlet day in celebration of Nunavut’s 10th anniversary 
and igloo building contest. 
• Photographer of the clinics computer room 
so the tech in Cambridge Bay could get some idea of parts needed 
Considering that CBC-RADIO-1 is one of the few media connections up here to the rest of Canada....
Our call to save the CBC from drastic budget cuts will be delivered to Parliament tomorrow - let's urgently tell friends and blow past our 100,000 signature goal!
Sign the petition!
In just 6 days, almost 100,000 of us have come together and signed the petition to Save the CBC and Radio Canada from deeply damaging budget cuts - one of the largest online petitions in Canadian history!
Tomorrow, MPs from each opposition party have agreed to jointly receive our petition and deliver it in Parliament to the government. While they do, planes will fly over Parliament Hill trailing giant banners that deliver our message and the number of signatures on the petition. We're already getting media calls, and on Saturday we'll be distributing thousands of Save the CBC buttons at the high profile Genie Awards.
Our message is getting out, but it's only as powerful as the number of people that sign it -- click below to sign if you haven't and let's forward this email to as many friends as possible - let's blow past our 100,000 goal by tomorrow!
http://www.avaaz.org/en/save_the_cbc/
The CBC is vital for Canadian art, culture and identity. These cuts have been forced on it for no good reason - the CBC has asked the government for sensible bridge financing - borrowing against their funding next year to spread the cuts out and make sure vital assets aren't damaged this year. The government has refused because, as we know from numerous past statements from Prime Minister Harper, they have an ideological agenda of opposition to a public broadcaster. They'd like to see the CBC privatized and sold off. With the CBC already forced to get half of its revenue from advertizing (compelling it to carry expensive American TV shows) that process is well underway. Even while the CBC survives in name, it's public character and mission are under attack.
With enough of a public outcry, we can reverse the government's decision. But even if we don't, a powerful statement is being made, to this government and future ones, that Canadians want the CBC and Radio Canada to survive as public service broadcasters. If enough of us act together now, they'll think twice the next time they look to undermine the CBC, and together we'll form a voice that can empower our national broadcasters to fully return to their precious public service mission.
With hope and determination,
Ricken, Lisa-Marie, Laryn and the Avaaz Canada team
PS - the best group providing information and opportunities to get more deeply involved in this issue is Friends of Canadian Broadcasting - you can see their website here:
http://www.friends.ca
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Bought an arctic char the other day when at the clinic and in dilemma as to how to store until the end of the work day???? 
Well simply thinking in a grocery bag hanging out the window!
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