nunavut

My photo picks of 2018

/ Jane George / Leave a comment

When I think of 2018, the images that stick in my mind the most were of birds and the sky, in all its amazing shades (but especially pink.) Here are 10 of my photos that still resonate the most with me—so enjoy!

The snow bunting

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Here’s a chilly little bunting from this past October in Cambridge Bay. I loved watched the buntings at the feeder. This one was taking a break in the sun.

Pink Cambridge Bay

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Walking around Cambridge Bay in October at sunset suddenly everything turns pink over Mt. Pelly.

Frost flowers

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This year’s crop of frost flowers in Cambridge Bay: They don’t last long, popping out of the ice only when freeze-up takes place quickly. There are certain places I always check for frost flowers and I wasn’t disappointed this year.

Kamiks

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I really wanted these kamiks for sale in Cambridge Bay but I didn’t have $450 (and I already have a similar, if not so beautiful pair.)

Snowy window

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This May in Iqaluit I felt like there were just too many snowy days. Here’s how it looked from inside.

Truck on an icy pad

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I had never noticed until this June that as the snow finally melts, under every parked vehicle that didn’t move all winter you see a layer of hard snow long which lasts after the snow everywhere else goes. Makes sense!

Clothes as art

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This display of traditional clothing in the foyer of the Nunavut legislature looked like fine arts gallery to me.

Awesome dance

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Wow what an evening at the Kitikmeot Inuit Association feast in October where Julia Ogina (right) performed with another dancer (left, but I didn’t get his name.) The dance can’t really be captured in a photo but you can find a video on my Twitter feed at @sikugirl: https://twitter.com/sikugirl/status/1053123054560133120

Pink lake

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This was my view from my lake home over to the island in Quebec in November when I got to see the pink freeze-up phenomenon all over again.

The woodpecker

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My frequent avian visitor in Quebec: a splashy pileated woodpecker.

Check out the other older posts on A date with siku girl as well!

Siku girl dines out… in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut

/ Jane George / 1 Comment

You might think when you’re in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, on Victoria Island, in a community whose population now stands at only about 1,900, that you wouldn’t have a big choice of dining possibilities, but you do.

In fact, your options do run from the typical fast food to bistro fare.

And, depending on your mood they’re all alright, but there’s something similar about them: no alcohol is served—and that’s despite the new cannabis laws that mean some clients are likely to be found smoking weed right outside.

As I stay further away from the Kuugaq Café from other restaurants in town, that’s where I tend to go more when I have time. That’s because the meal also comes along with a good walk. Inside the café, I find an open kitchen, along with a choice of seating options in the large room (wooden tables, bistro tables for two and sofas and chairs.)

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A menu of daily specials is on the blackboard. A typical lunch features Arctic char soup, muskox chilli, muskox burgers, roasted caribou panini, some pulled pork combos and a bowl with roasted cauliflower, squash, lime, avocado and quinoa.

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I opt for the muskox chilli which fills me up for the rest of the day.

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I also end up at the Kuugaq Café for a pre-Thanksgiving meal of turkey, ham, roasted vegetable and mashed potatoes. Wonderful.

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I love the muskox burger always.

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When someone wants to meet me, or I have an interview to schedule, we meet at the Kuugaq Café because it’s quiet, as well. It’s like an extension of my living room or office (if I had one in Cambridge Bay.) To me, anyway,  as well, the prices also seem reasonable compared to most restaurants in Iqaluit which often leave you feeling poor.

Launched in February 2017, the café, owned by Stuart Rostant and Amanda Doiron, is thriving. It’s closed Monday, but open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday and Weds., from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thurs. and Friday and weekends from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

I am never alone there, either: you always find a nice cross-section of the population, from young, pregnant mothers to RCMP officers to high school students and entire families, Inuit and non-Inuit.

Second on my eating list in Cambridge Bay would be the locally-owned Saxifrage which makes a big effort to have its food look appealing. It’s got an Edmonton sports-bar appeal, and if I wanted to watch sports or eat good food close to town, that’s where I’d head.

You can also get homestyle takeout from the Qillaq Lodge (think meatloaf, roasted potatoes, peas, salad and dessert) and fill-you-up fare from the Arctic Lodge or you can head to the Quick stop with its pizza, chips and burgers.