The Dacha: Pond Inlet

Friday, January 12, 2018

Pond Inlet

Pond Inlet is a tiny place in the high Arctic that you will probably never visit.

And that's a pity.

The mostly-Inuit population of just over 1600 were as warm and welcoming as any I've encountered.

Let me take you there.

Imagine having this view out your back door...

Our expert zodiac aides must be cold....but they never complain.

Obligatory toes-in-the-water shot. I must compile the entire collection one day.

My first stop was the community center. The locals were gathered in demonstration of all things Inuit and Pond Inlet.

Now, you know me- I'm a fiber artist and stitcher- so anything with needle and thread gets me excited. I spent nearly an hour with the next few lovely ladies- learning about making kamiik by hand.

First, you take a seal (sounds like a recipe...) and you skin it.

Carefully removing the blubber from the skin- as much as possible.

It's no exaggeration to say that she was a expert with an ulu- watching her hands with the knife was poetry of efficiency and care.

And, yes, that is seal blubber. Yes, they eat it as a snack. No, I didn't.

Then you have to stretch your sealskin to dry. It becomes hard as cardboard.

Our next lovely lady demonstrated the old-fashioned way of softening the dried sealskin. The new-fangled way is just on the edge of the left side bottom of the photo- a piece of corrugated steel and matching wooden clapper. Not so hard on the teeth.

Once de-furred, the seal leather is quite durable, but fairly easily stitched. Here, she prepares the sole of the boot.

Tiny tiny pleats take in the excess around the toes of the boot.

For my stitching friends--look at the exquisite handwork!

Oh I fell in LOVE with this precious lady. She spoke only Inuktitut- but with hand signals and the help of an interpreter, I told her I was a stitcher and asked if she minded if I sat and watched her sew. Her face lit up and she showed me her plan for finishing the kamiik. Funny how, with just one little common interest, I was able to connect with her. We managed, with few words, to share our common love of needlework. Look at the embroidery on the boots she is wearing- which she made- you can see she is quite a proficient embroiderer. Her work was lovely.

This is Alex. Her card describes her as an "Adventurer, Artist and Over Thinker".

She is also a foodie, so we hit it off immediately. Talked a long streak about hot sauces, vegetables, and things generally unavailable to her in Pond Inlet.

Then off on a walk-about.. The firestation was at the ready for our visit...

This is Arctic Cotton. Technically a grass, the seedheads are gathered and used as padding and oil lamp wicks.

Of course, a trip to the Co-Op was mandatory.

Ahem. Yes, that sign reads $10.99 for a head of iceberg lettuce.

A little bit of everything. From bell peppers to oil cloth. Rifle bullets to CDs.

If you overnight on your own in Pond Inlet, here's where you will stay...

When I took this photo, I was looking at the street sign.

Then I noticed the little ski-tricycle on the roof.

There's a story there...

The school...

My mind is foggy, but I think this is the library.

Caught a glimpse of this Inuit calendar. (what can I say- color wheels always grab my attention).
Thought it fascinating....especially when I thought how I would apply the same concept to living here in the deep South...