Thank you for visiting this really postdated entry. The last month of my internship was full of new connections, navigated surprises, half-formed theses, renegotiated plans, sweet adventures, and deep impressions. It felt like I couldn't write about it at the time, but now the distance makes it just as difficult. I am back in Edmonton, bustling through classes.
I don't think I have anything new to say. The north is still beautiful and home to wonderful people. We all have treaty obligations and should think about the land we are on and the people with us. Whether or not I ever return to the north, I know that my experiences will influence how I work and live. My summer taught me about respect, adaptability and independence, and also gave me an introduction to the conditions of life in northern communities.
Anyway, my summer.
At the beginning of August, Chateh had what are known as 'Habay Days'. Habay is one of the original settlements of the Dene Tha', and it was the first outpost of the fur traders and missionaries. The settlement was gradually abandoned in the sixties due to the yearly risk of flooding, and most of the remaining structures have been completely destroyed by fire or demolition. You can still find the foundations of some buildings at the site, and many people still remember the exact location of their family's home. It's a place that brings peace to people internally, and a fun chance to participate in traditional and non-traditional activities for a whole week. People set up camp, usually in family groups between the road and the Meander River.
In the daytime, there are children's games, picnicky-style contests and races, and fire feeding, which is a way off offering prayer. In the evening, there is drumming and tea dancing. As well as organized activities, a lot of people pick mint and berries. Mint is a big Dene cold cure, and I saw people staggering though the fields under child-sized bundles in preparation for winter.
At night, I loved watching the stars. I heard wind and laughter from the marathon card games around the fire. I loved being in a place where all my neighbours were out together, where I could feel like a country girl among the trucks parked around the tea dance ring.
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| drums waiting |
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| Guess who took part in the canoe race? |
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| The drummers stretching their drums over the fire. Heat helps make them more supple and loud. |
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| kite flying with some great kids |
After Habay family camp ended, my summer in Chateh wound down. My internship partner, Jessica, went back to Edmonton and I started saying some goodbyes. At that time also, a pair of linguists from the University's Indigenous languages institute stayed with me while they completed fieldwork. I had a lot of questions about their work and the role of language and culture in self-determination. They were very cool, and one of them had family in Chateh, which allowed me to meet some great people.
For my last day at work, I asked to have a going-away party for a longtime staff member of the health centre who was moving away. I hoped this would give me a chance to thank her and the other people I worked with while also sneakily throwing myself a party. We had a big feast and I was surprised by a cake that was presented to me! And a gift! What the heck! Many other people from the community came and I was grateful for the closure. I get so cathartic about goodbyes.
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| the health centre: community hub and my workplace |
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| feat. dino ring decor |
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| the road home |
My return to the city was happy and busy. At first, my senses were overwhelmed. It felt like everything had been compressed. I stared at the tight houses and cars and people and signs as though I had been away for decades. I am glad to be back to my familiar environment and old friends, but I am also grateful that I will carry this summer with me for the rest of my life. Only time will tell me what the carrying means, but I know that my experience was important. I hope I could share something good with you, too.
Mahsi cho, take care, farewell.
