Day 210- October 20- Rosina Kajuatsiak (and Vincent Bieber)

Rosina passed me in the Co-op today and I was completely taken with how cute Vincent, her son, was in the amautik with his little beaver hat on. Rosina was very gracious to me, despite really not wanting a picture, she agreed, bashfully! Rosina was in the senior English class when I started teaching. At the time, I didn't really teach them very often, a class of art here, a double of computer the other year, a period of Study Skills another year, but nothing very big or in depth. She graduated from Secondary 5 on her own in my third or fourth year. She is now using her skills and education to give back to the school, she is teaching in the K-1-2 sector and I have heard excellent things from her students about their class! It is very fun to see your former students being successful while remaining at home in George River.


Theme Song For today: The Heart Of The Matter by India.arie

Day 209- October 19- Jini Emudluk

Jini is one of my favourite people ever. She is friendly and I love her laugh. She stopped me in the hallway today after the Halloween activity (this is clearly a postdated entry) and she asked me to let her take a picture of my costume. (I was a skiddley wannabe rock star). I told her that I take photos to try and avoid the spotlight myself, so we made a deal, a photo trade of sorts and I got out with this beauty! Jini is like many of my colleagues- they make me look forward to going to work everyday just for those chats in the office or at the door as we put on our boots to go for lunch. Thanks for the picture Jini!


Theme Song for Today: The Quest by Bryn Christopher

Day 208- October 18- Jaiku A.

Jaiku took French and was in secondary for most of my years of teaching in GR. He is always a super kind, friendly sort of guy. He is also a talented hunter and musician. I've seen him play bass but have heard that he has dabbled in singing and guitar too I think. I haven't seen him around town in a while so it was a nice surprise to run into him while waiting for the Post Office to open up to pick up my package from mom and my newest Amazon order.


Theme Song for today: Ashes and Wine by A Fine Frenzy

Day 207- October 17- Raymond

LIttle Raymond is an awesome kid. He loves hockey and Nancy our Vice Principal, if I want to find him on a Friday afternoon, I just need to find where Nancy is. He is happy if he can just follow her around and be near her. I really don't know much about Raymond, his family or even his schooling, but he exudes positivity and happiness whenever I see him, so I hope that his life is filled such joy. A gentle soul, I look forward to witnessing his growth and development in the upcoming years. Enjoy the picture!


Theme Song for today: I and Love and You by The Avett Brothers

Day 206- October 16- Conlucy S.

Conlucy. What to say about Conlucy. I have spent more time in class with his siblings and more time with him in extra curricular activities. I first met him when he joined Tundra Trot and then started trying out for the Hiphop group. He was young back then, but would follow his cousin Erik to all the events that were happening that sounded interesting. He has a super sense of humour, loves figuring out how things work and a keen mind. He is a super well adjusted and positive influence on others most of the time. He is probably one of the biggest Montreal Canadien fans I know, I always see him with a Gomez or Cammalleri shirt on. I hope I get to teach him more in the next couple years. Thanks for the picture, Con!


Theme Song for today: Sky by Joshua Radin

Day 205- October 15- Stanley Sam A.

Stanley is one of my newest students. He's in Sec. 1 this year and I teach them 2 periods per week of Multimedia. I really like his style, he is very easy going, mature and hard working. He is silly but not foolish and I guess balanced would be the best way to describe him. He is an avid hockey player and has even represented Nunavik on a Selects hockey team, which he chosen to be the Captain of because of how much of a good head he had about leadership and the game. I snagged this shot while he was playing an intense game of fussball. Enjoy!


Theme Song for today: A Long December by Counting Crows

Day 204- October 14- Annie Kajuatsiak

Annie K. was one of the greatest additions to the school that we have had since my first year. Her hubby, Dan, started teaching the same year as me or maybe one year before, and has really worked miracles with some of the boys he has taught in his IPL class. They work on traditional skills, arts like carving and building, mechanics work, camping and land survival skills. We realized that we were lacking similar opportunities for girls at the school who were having trouble integrating into regular classes and were threatening- something different or we'll drop out. We knew as a staff that unless we found someone like Daniel we'd never have a successful program, Then Annie applied and has been doing an amazing job working with the girls IPL class. They are learning many traditional skills, are sewing their little hearts out and supporting the boys program with cooking and following them on hunting and camping trips. I love the sense of accomplishment, esteem and pride the girls have in their accomplishments and their class. Annie is a big part of that!! She has an incredible laugh and sense of humour. I really enjoy spending time with her. She is generous and I have often bunked in her tent at Short Lake when other tents have no space for me. She is one of the luckiest fisherwomen I have ever met, it's hilarious to see how lucky she is 5 feet away from others on the frozen lake. Thanks for the pic, Annie!!


Theme Song for today: Butterfly by Jason Mraz

Day 203- October 13- Nickusie E.

Nickusie is a French student but has very good English skills as well. That is sort of the blessing of going through the French system from grade 3 on. If you can handle the challenge (as it is not easy), you usually gain enough exposure that you can finish your schooling with fluency in Inuktitut, French and even English. At least verbally speaking, they typically can function enough to be top consideration for local jobs. Nickusie is a lot of fun, she is kind and friendly. Thanks for the picture!


Theme Song for today: Let Go by Frou Frou

Day 202- October 12- Geela T.

Geela is a total sweetheart. I only get to teach her for three periods of Multimedia class this year, but I absolutely love her sensitive, gentle, kind spirit. She has been doing some very fun work on her "Me, Myself and I" slideshow project and I am very excited to see her final project. She is so quiet that is sometimes easy to overlook her in a crowd, but when you take the time to stop and listen she has something so profound and positive to contribute that it makes you appreciate the "still small voice" once again! I really like her and find that she challenges me to take it easy, slow down and take time to smell the roses!! A true beauty- inside and out!! In this picture, she is in Stephanie's class and was working on an Abominable Snowman costume for a halloween activity they were working on. Thanks for the photo, Geela!!





Theme Song for today: Maybe by Ingrid Michaelson

Day 201- October 11- Tabia A.

Tabia is one of the senior students in the girl's IPL class. She was formerly in the French sector but has very strong English skills!! I really like Tabia, she's strong, self-confident and works hard at what she wants to accomplish. She isn't the type to be pushed around and will stand up for herself, when some might cower in a corner. Tabia is doing some finishing touches on a parka that she designed and is making. She has learned a lot of great skills from Annie in their class and is growing into a wonderful and talented young woman. I hope she keeps making big goals and never gives up on them!! Thanks for the photo, Tab!





Theme Song of Today: Bright Lights by Matchbox 20

Day 200- October 10- Tom B.

Tom is Jesse's brother (from yesterday). He is a sweet little guy. He has a slightly mischievous side and it came out in this picture very nicely. Tom is a fun guy, very entertaining! He really enjoyed having a big crowd of kids over for the Thanksgiving meal.





Theme Song for today: Breakdown by Jack Johnson (Song about things we can be thankful for!)

Day 199- October 9- Jesse B.'s Painted Head

Okay, this is a bit of a stretch, but this was taken at the Thanksgiving meal at Carrie and Bill's place. They painted a new colour in their living room that was really vibrant and I thought it really made the silhouette painting just pop. The painting was an art project their son Jesse did with his teacher, Chris, last year. It was a nice gathering for a big feast. Graziella and Carrie planned it for all of us that don't have family up here. It was an enjoyable afternoon/evening! Lots of laughs had by all!



Theme Song for today: It's Over by Jesse McCartney

Day 198- October 8- Norman Snowball

Norman is a pillar of the community in George River. He is one of the very respected elders and is very involved in the council, is a lay minister in the local church and teaches boys' culture classes at school. He has a wonderful smile and sense of humour, but also has a lot of pride in the traditional ways and is a very active part of the community. I took this picture during recess as he enjoyed a chicken noodle soup from the canteen. Ciao everyone!





Theme Song for today: (If You're Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To by Weezer

Day 197- October 7- Minnie Snowball-Etok

Minnie is the mother of many of my current and former students! I currently teach three of her children, Salumie, Christy and Conlucy. I have taught another two over the years, Hilda and Sapina. They have all be extremely well adjusted and well supported children, which says a lot about the positive and loving environment that is created by her and her husband in their home. Minnie has one of the most infectious laughs that it makes me giggle in return. I love chatting and joking with her very much!! She has a great sense of humour! Thanks for the picture!!





Theme Song for today: Only the Good Die young by Billy Joel

Day 196- October 6- Anita Annanack

Anita and I first really met when she was doing a bit of running with the Tundra Trot team, what feels like ages ago. Anita is a strong, independent, bright and very communicative. She is quick to express herself and is not shy in the least. I really enjoy Anita, she is full of life and energy. I taught her older brother Sandy Jake, who is now in his second year of CEGEP in Montreal. Thanks for the photo, Anita, you are a truly beautiful girl inside and out, be proud of yourself and keep working hard in school!




Theme Song for today: But It's Better if you Do by Panic! At the Disco

Day 195- October 5- Jobie I.

Jobie is a kid that is friendly and super hyper. He loves hockey and makes a point of ALWAYS saying, "Hi Gillian" when we meet in the hall or the Co-op. I love kids like that, who make you feel important. His parents work at the school, both are teachers in the K-1-2 sector. He's a great kid! Enjoy the picture, it was taken on today, the first day with snow that stayed on the ground for a few hours. Elijah Etok told me that it always happens on October 5th, he remembers since it is his birthday. I like how much brighter and fresher it makes the world feel with a little shiny white clean snow on the ground!





Theme Song for today: If It Kills Me by Jason Mraz

Day 194- October 4- Vicky Chevrier

Vicky was one of the other great additions last year that I missed on my year off. Due to the switch up of administrators, as Mark moved into the Principal's post and Nancy moved into a 50% VP post, that created an opening for Vicky to join the staff as a Student Counsellor. So far I am completely impressed with her enthusiasm, willingness to help the kids, eagerness to jump into other duties such as announcements, organizing health presentations, etc. I have known her since being in GR but am really happy that I can call her a colleague now! She is gem and a role model for all young Inuk girls! Thanks for the pic, Vicky, I wish you loads of happiness and success!!!




Theme Song for today: Hello Seattle by Owl City

Day 193- October 3- Josée Brisson

Josée is the wife of Luc, my Day #7 dude. Josée and I don't tend to chat very often as she is mainly francophone and I still have a lot of fear and anxiety about my French from a long story involving seeing my high school French teacher after my year in Germany. Unless I have a few wine, then we are best friends and suddenly I speak much better, ironically even if it is a Californian Shiraz!? Weird eh! Josée, however is super gracious, very friendly, modest, gentle and a lot of fun. We always enjoy Rockbanding or dancing or whatever. I can always count on her an Luc to show if I am inviting over a small crowd. Thanks SO much for the picture, Josée! I abruptly stopped her in the stairs on her way home and tried desperately to convince her for this picture, which I don't think she was fully willing to have!! She is a great sport and beautiful person!!




THeme Song for today: Dolly Dagger by Jimi Hendrix

Day 192- October 2- Donald Etok

Donald is a super sweet fellow. I used to call him "Seal Hair" since one of his classmates discovered he has beautifully soft, shiny hair like a sealskin a few years ago. I have actually never had the privilege of teaching him, but I have taught a few of his siblings and enjoyed them all! Yet another fantastic sample of the beautiful and friendly people in George River. If you haven't visited lately, or EVER, you really should come sometime soon! It's amazing! Thanks for the pictures D-man! Love the one of you and your friend, Heather!!

Theme Song for today: Thorazine Shuffle by Gov't Mule

Day 191- October 1- Sharon Morgan

Sharon was in my first and most scary class ever back in 2003. The dreaded Sec. 2 Social Studies class. Full of hormones, missing their teacher, Jane, from the year before, wild, old, and a pretty big class by northern standards, 18 students officially registered at the start of the year. I only taught them 4 times a week, but they struck fear in me. Some of the boys were 17 and 18 years old, and I was only 23 at the time. One had a budding mustache and one had a name that took me a month to remember how to say well- Qaajui. Everything about this class made me shake and feel nervous. :)

We made it through and I learned a lot from them about the north, about classroom management, about the teacher persona, about how to be fair, but firm, how to earn respect and how to give it. When I think back, I had the time of my life with those kids. I figured out ways that worked, I learned all the bad words in Inuktitut and how to solve the problem of students arriving in class without pencils. I think that they made me the teacher I am today and I am very grateful to that year... Sharon was one of the wonderful students that I still think back on fondly. She had strength, beauty and a willingness to stand up for herself and not to be pushed around, that I still admire today. She has since gone places and done some pretty incredible things because of that personal strength and drive. I'm proud to think I might have had a hand in that, even it might have only been a small part. Thanks for the picture, Sharon!!




Theme Song for today: Tell 'Em by Sleigh Bells