Makivik Magazine Issue 90

Burning Smiles
in the Frozen Land
By Marie Kirouac-Poirier
On Friday February 27 th , 2009, 18 young
Montrealers from Sophie-Barat High School
with their teacher, Éric Laforest along with
their guide, *Lyne St-Louis travelled to Inukjuak
with the goal of bringing closer the two cultures
and discovering the beauty of diversity.
Landing there at 1:30 PM, the temperature was
-51 C with the windshield factor.
When I close my eyes, I still see this infinite
white stretch of land, which intimidates
with its greatness. I still smell this cold and
dry air that burns your skin unexpectedly. A
comfortable yet dangerous cold. In this vast
Arctic region, I realized that nature is greater
than everything.
Three weeks before our planned
date, we still were not sure if we
were going to leave because of
the high cost of our adventure.
Suddenly, we are informed that Air
Inuit will make our dream come
true with an important reduction
on our seats.
The fast pace
at which this
trip was organized
gives me the
impression that it
never happened;
that it was only
a dream. Three
weeks before our
planned date, we
still were not sure if we were going to leave
because of the high cost of our adventure.
Suddenly, we are informed that Air Inuit will
make our dream come true with an important
reduction on our seats. Then, one after the
other, Inuit people and organizations offered
us their support to make this trip unforgettable.
A Kativik School Board house was lent to
lynne- st-louis
us for the week and some people of Inukjuak
started planning activities for us.
We found that a precious desire to share
their knowledge and culture is strongly alive
in the Inuit. On a freezing afternoon, four
patient and determined Inuit guides us ice
fishing. In sleighs pulled by skidoos, the 20 of
us were just breath taken by the arctic beauty
of the Hudson Bay. The following days we visited
women gathered for sewing, were invited
in the qarmak where women were making
kamiks, helped men that showed us to make
igloos which we had the privilege to sleep
in, and went on a tour of the Avataq Cultural
Institute’s local museum. Inuit students taught
us how to make bannock and play Inuit games
at the school. The childcare centre trusted us
to help out with children. So much attention
and time devoted for us.
When I close my eyes, I see warm smiles
and sparkling eyes filled with generosity. I still
hear giggles and surprised whispers blowing
softly like the wind on a crisp icy surface. This
dream, becoming reality, would have never
happened without all the support we received.
A very special “nakurmiik” to the people from
Inukjuak and to Air Inuit.
*Lyne St-Louis is a trainer for the members of
Nunavik’s Justice Committees.
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dawn forrest
Name: Randy Gordon
Date of birth: October 1 st , 1988
Place of birth: Kuujjuaq
Home Community: Kuujjuaq
Favorite people: My girlfriend Dawn Forrest
and my family
Favorite Food: Frozen arctic charr
Favorite Sport: Hockey
Occupation: Local hockey trainer
Future Goal: Director of the hockey program
Toughest challenge: My daily workout
Pet Peeve: Ignorant people
MAKIVIK mag a zine
95