I work and live in Nunavut. Ask me anything!

[MJK]

Originally Posted by fotze

The northern lights really look like that? You haven't fataed with the picture?

That was a 30 second exposure. It is over exposed a little but for the msot part that is what I saw. Very bright that night and I havent seen them that bright since. They move all over the place and dance all over the sky. This time of the year you can see them every night.

[jammies]

Originally Posted by MJK

It isn't a spider it is a small seal.

More like tiny... I guess it's better to have seals the size of spiders than spiders the size of seals.

Do you ever go out and try to get as far away from all other human beings as you possibly can, so you're like the only person within dozens of kilometres?

[MJK]

Originally Posted by fotze

Have you eaten blubber? Do you love saying blubber, cause I do?

I have eaten seal, beluga whale, muskox, and caribou. I like the fat on the caribou and muskox.

[MJK]

Originally Posted by jammies

More like tiny... I guess it's better to have seals the size of spiders than spiders the size of seals.

Do you ever go out and try to get as far away from all other human beings as you possibly can, so you're like the only person within dozens of kilometres?

Ya I can do that here. We have a dirt road that goes about 15KM's outside of town so I can drive to the end and hang out there. I can also take my 4x4 and drive whever I want. No trees means I can practically go wherever I want.

[GreenLantern]

Originally Posted by MJK

SO many people have asked me questions about living in the North. Some people might even be thinking of moving here someday.

Here is your chance to ask me anything you want about the North and, in particular, about Nunavut. I will try my best to answer yours questions.

Fire away!

What job is it that took you up North? Or was it a Lady?

[4X4]

I did a stint of seismic up in Tuk a few years ago. Was there around this time of year. I requested night shift so I could see the sky. The northern lights were amazing. Like, unbelievably amazing. One night I called a northern lights break and we all layed in the snow for about half an hour and stared at them. It was like lying at the base of niagra falls or something. They just danced around like moving curtains. Reds and greens. Some silver. Fricken awesome.

You must love the night sky up there on new moon. I remember a couple of nights up in Tuk where the sky was so clear and the moon was new, but there was so much starlight combined with the reflectiveness of the snow, we practically didn't even need our skull beams.

There was an ice road down the Mackenzie River from Inuvik to Tuk. The ice was about 10 or 15 feet thick. There were patches where there was no snow on the ice and you could see right through the ice. It was pretty awesome.

ps, five star thread.

[Flamesoholic]

My god those pictures are amazing! Thanks for posting those. I'd love to see more if you're so inclined
Is that your dog in the seal hunt picture?
From your perspective and what you see every season, do you feel that the threat of climate change is being accurately reported? How much faster is the sea ice breaking up? Are the polar bears struggling as much as we are told?
Why are your houses on stilts?


Thanks for making this thread, I've already had many questions I've always wanted to know about answered. I'm still in shock about the beer thing though.

[MJK]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern

What job is it that took you up North? Or was it a Lady?

Teaching. Then I met the lady.

[MJK]

Originally Posted by 4X4

I did a stint of seismic up in Tuk a few years ago. Was there around this time of year. I requested night shift so I could see the sky. The northern lights were amazing. Like, unbelievably amazing. One night I called a northern lights break and we all layed in the snow for about half an hour and stared at them. It was like lying at the base of niagra falls or something. They just danced around like moving curtains. Reds and greens. Some silver. Fricken awesome.

You must love the night sky up there on new moon. I remember a couple of nights up in Tuk where the sky was so clear and the moon was new, but there was so much starlight combined with the reflectiveness of the snow, we practically didn't even need our skull beams.

There was an ice road down the Mackenzie River from Inuvik to Tuk. The ice was about 10 or 15 feet thick. There were patches where there was no snow on the ice and you could see right through the ice. It was pretty awesome.

ps, five star thread.

Hey man the new principal here use to be the principal in Tuk. Hi name is Alan Pitcher. Did you ever meet him? He was there for a few years I believe.

[keenan87]

does ur name MJK stand for "Michael Jackson's kid"?

[4X4]

Originally Posted by MJK

Hey man the new principal here use to be the principal in Tuk. Hi name is Alan Pitcher. Did you ever meet him? He was there for a few years I believe.

Nope. Didn't really meet any locals. Lived in a HUGE camp (Boss Camp). It was constructed mostly out of portables. Stacked and assembled like a jigsaw puzzle. Probably housed about 5 or 600 people. Crap, maybe more.

Funny story: I was in the phone room yapping to the woman when she asked me (girls are so cute) if I'd seen any eskimos (that chick was an immigrant that didn't know that we politically correct Canucks call them 'Inuit').
So she says something to the effect of "So, like, are there igloos and eskimos up there?". I kinda laughed and was about to tell her that they indeed have houses and they're normal people, just with heavier jackets. But before I could say that, I caught a glimpse of the three inuit walking past the phone room totally decked out in mukluks and furry jackets and pants and mitts. I guess you kinda had to be there, but I just about fell off my chair laughing.

[Bagor]

Originally Posted by MJK

I have eaten seal, beluga whale, muskox, and caribou. I like the fat on the caribou and muskox.

Have you seen any Narwhal?

[MJK]

Originally Posted by Flamesoholic

My god those pictures are amazing! Thanks for posting those. I'd love to see more if you're so inclined
Is that your dog in the seal hunt picture?
From your perspective and what you see every season, do you feel that the threat of climate change is being accurately reported? How much faster is the sea ice breaking up? Are the polar bears struggling as much as we are told?
Why are your houses on stilts?


Thanks for making this thread, I've already had many questions I've always wanted to know about answered. I'm still in shock about the beer thing though.

The houses are on stilts becuase most don't have sub floors. They need to be elevated becuase of the extreme cold.

More pics.



Fishing, so peaceful


Beluga Whale


Blizzard blew the door open and the snow drifted in


The next day after I shoveled. 5 day blizzard


Nothingness


Fall sunset


Geese


Getting ready to hit the water on Kayak


My buddy Barney and his son


The flow edge out on the bay


Sunset at 1:00AM

[MJK]

Originally Posted by 4X4

Nope. Didn't really meet any locals. Lived in a HUGE camp (Boss Camp). It was constructed mostly out of portables. Stacked and assembled like a jigsaw puzzle. Probably housed about 5 or 600 people. Crap, maybe more.

Funny story: I was in the phone room yapping to the woman when she asked me (girls are so cute) if I'd seen any eskimos (that chick was an immigrant that didn't know that we politically correct Canucks call them 'Inuit').
So she says something to the effect of "So, like, are there igloos and eskimos up there?". I kinda laughed and was about to tell her that they indeed have houses and they're normal people, just with heavier jackets. But before I could say that, I caught a glimpse of the three inuit walking past the phone room totally decked out in mukluks and furry jackets and pants and mitts. I guess you kinda had to be there, but I just about fell off my chair laughing.

To be politically correct, Inuit do not wear mukluks, first nations people do.

The Inuit wear Kamiks.

[MJK]

Originally Posted by Bagor

Have you seen any Narwhal?

Narwhals usually do not come down this far south. They are usually further north and many got stuck in Repulse Bay this year. Repulse is right on the Arctic circle.

[4X4]

Originally Posted by MJK

The next day after I shoveled. 5 day blizzard

I will never complain about winter ever again.

[MJK]

Originally Posted by fotze

They sure look a lot more like asian folks than native as we know them down here. Barney looks korean.

That's becuase Natives, as most people know them, are First Nations or "Indian" people.

The Inuit and first nations people have no relation at all but most people don't realize that.

The Inuit originally came from Siberia so that is why they look somewhat Asian.

[HPLovecraft]

Did you ever see the show North of 60? That's a great show. Was that about Natives or Inuit, I can't forget.

[MJK]

Originally Posted by HPLovecraft

Did you ever see the show North of 60? That's a great show. Was that about Natives or Inuit, I can't forget.

Never watched it but a quick search found this:

It is set in the fictional community of Lynx River, a primarily Native-run town depicted as being in the Dehcho Region, Northwest Territories. Most of the characters were Slavey.

So the show was not about the Inuit but rather the first nations people.

[Bagor]

Originally Posted by MJK

I just have to put in an order for it. I fill out a form and it goes to the alcohol committee. When it passes I get my booze in 3-5 days.

You say you need a permit for it. On what grounds can it be refused? What about spirits?

And does the whole town know who's just got the latest shipment of booze?

Does that house get a lot of visitors dropping in for a "friendly visit" shortly after the booze arrives?