Change

Saturday we were planning on heading to the flea market at the community hall but upon arriving the hall looked empty. Apparently a water pipe had burst cancelling the market. We headed over to the co-op as Dave needed to pick up some groceries and were greeted in the entrance by a "mini-market"- a few tables set up selling bannock, jell-o, and tickets on gift baskets. Some of our students were standing behind the tables and met us with big smiles. 

Reflecting on this, I thought about the adaptability of the North. I have seen it true for the teachers, the students, and the school community. Lessons can go for more or less time than planned, visitors can come in to speak to students with ten minutes notice, or the five students in your classroom are different than the five that were there yesterday. Change seems to be readily accepted here - you have to be able to adapt. There is an Inuit phrase, Ayurnamat, that sums this feeling up. It means there is no use fretting over things that can not be changed, coming from a long history of living on the land and respecting it rather than conquering it. 

Rebekah and I are a change in the community but we feel welcomed by the people in the streets, or at the two stores, who are interested in why we are in Pond. Adults will shoot smiles, and children ask for our names. Students who may or may not see us in the classroom have figured out our names and excitedly shout them out when they see us. 

A shot off the front steps at the Northern Grocery Store