Times Have Changed

Winter came early in 1996 in the far north. So early that the Coast Guard ship Nahida was iced in on September 8th. This large ship was responsible for marking the open water channels in the western North West Passage. Every year before freeze up this ship would travel along the coast and retrieve the navigation aids and store them at various stations to be used again the following year.

That year in i996 freeze up came nearly 3 weeks early. That may not seem like much but when you have an open water season 8 to 10 weeks it is a great problem. The ship and crew just made it to the government dock in time to tie up. The crew were flown back to Fort Smith, the usual home port for this coast guard ship.

The captain had a problem with security and tons of supplies. I met with the captain and made a contract to provide security for the Nahida and with a plan for the supplies. Together we unloaded the frozen food and decided that I would give these great gifts to needy Inuit and the HTA. The hunters and trappers association would use these frozen foods in their winter hunting program. Steaks, pork chops, shrimp and a variety of other meats and fish would supplement the diets of many people. The perishable goods such as potatoes and other vegetables were given to the Elders to use as they saw fit.

Overall the wintering of the Nahida was a special gift that year as our little hamlet Ikaluktutiak had a hard year and many people used this found treasure welcome. One event that was a huge success was the fall feast celebration to mark the winter darkness season. With the new found gift I though that it would make everyone happy.On the day of the feast the cooks prepared the roast beef and all the trimmings. Traditional country food was also available. The beef was not touched by Inuit until all the country food was used. The white people enjoyed the feast but in talking to my friends who were Inuit they told me that traditional feast of caribou, muskoxen, char and seal were the very best.

The wintering of the Nahida provided much needed interest and the locals would go to the dock and look at the great ship and discuss every aspect of its need to be with them . I went aboard with a small team every week to make sure all was well. Today the Nahida could have a month longer to get out on the NWP and get home safely with time to spare. Times have changed.