We Help More Than We Hurt

I believe in freedom of speech and I believe in personal opinion. 

Everywhere I turn, everything I read, and most media reports on television lately have shown the RCMP in a negative light - tasers, cell deaths, excessive force, etc. When did the RCMP become such an easy target? In 2005, four Mounties were gunned down on a farm near Mayerthorpe, AB and a short time later two individuals were arrested for aiding and abetting (being parties to the offence of 1st degree murder). I can remember the out cry and angry media reports all across this country - even the Fifth Estate did a ONE HOUR piece on how and why two people came to be charged with the murders of the four fallen members.  The program automatically took the side of the two that were charged and were quick to criticize the Force for fabricating evidence - something we do often apparently. The headlines that streamed across newspapers and Internet news sites suggested these two were innocent and that the RCMP framed them just so they could say there were charges laid. Not once did I see an article commending the RCMP for a job well done. And today, January 19th, 2009, these same two people plead guilty to manslaughter, an offence that could carry a jail sentence of up to 15 years. Were the police right all along? 

Why must people automatically attack the ones you call on to keep your children safe? I know my opinion may be somewhat biased, but I am still allowed to have one. I have had guns pointed at me, I have had knives pulled on me, and I have suffered black eyes and bruises. But for what? It's not really what most consider a dream job. The public strive on negative press - they eat it up - yet I bet not one of them would put my uniform on and deal with the things I've had to over the last five years. I didn't join the force to put people in jail; oddly enough, I joined so I could help people and if that entails putting people in jail then I've done my job. Some people prefer to sit behind their computers all day long and make suggestions on how things could have been handled differently, and to those people, I call you cowards. You are safe where you sit so I suggest you stay there and continue writing.

I can say that most people I know only think that I issue speeding tickets and arrest impaired drivers, and most people I know dislike the RCMP for that reason. If I had a penny for every time I heard that I should be catching "real criminals" instead of picking on drunk drivers I'd be a wealthy woman. I'm not going throw stats in your face but I know everyone reading this knows someone who has been touched by a family member who has been in an alcohol related accident, myself included. It is a crime to drink and drive and nothing will ever change that - perhaps it's time you just accept it and grow up.

So, to all the bloggers out there who have nothing better to do than constantly find ways to attack the RCMP - you can continue criticizing a Force that is forever there to help you but please, whenever you fear for the safety of you or a family member, pick up the phone and call because I will still be the first one there and I will show up willingly every time.

In Plane Sight

This past week saw a jet airliner crash into the Hudson River in New York after what some are saying, flew through a flock of birds which disabled both engines. Imagine that, a flock of birds being responsible for taking down what - 10,ooo pounds of metal. All 155 passengers and crew survived, not even one passenger was listed as suffering any serious injuries. The media are calling this incident the "Miracle on the Hudson", and for good reason. 

I, being one who admittedly cringes when I find out I have to board a plane to go somewhere, am for some odd reason, fascinated with plane crashes and the statistics on the likelyhood of a plane going down, and the odds of dying in a crash. Perhaps I read all this 'who-knows-how-reliable' information to ease my fears of taking to the skies but I enjoy it, more than flying itself. Prior to moving North - I had only been on a jet once - and that was way back in 1995. Since 2005 - I have been on 737s, ATP Turboprops, Dash 8s, Pilatus', and even a Challenger(a two-seater)  and each time I get to my seat, the same thoughts go through my head. I HATE FLYING and I'M GOING TO DIE! 

One of my favorite sites on the internet is www.planecrashinfo.com - I visit it regularly to keep up to date on all the plane crashes happening all over the world. I read about stats and have found that they differ considerably depending on who is doing the reporting. One researcher came up with the number "52.6 million to 1" are the chances of dying in a plane crash. While another one seemed content to settle with "1 in 10.46 million". I think I like the first number better!! Now, I know there are stats out there for just about every little thing possible, including what the chances are that a cat really can have 9 lives, but oddly enough, reading about planes and watching crashes on youtube.com calm my fears and make me pleasantly less petrified of flying. Some tips out there for surviving a plane crash include:

- try to sit in between both wings, supposedly that's where the plane is the strongest

- always wear your seat belt (they're there for a reason)

- don't drink alcoholic beverages on any flight

- know where your emergency exits are

- drive instead of flying

Nunavut had two miracles of their own take place two weeks apart, one before Christmas and one after. The first one occurred on December 9th, 2008 when two Swedish researchers were flying from the East coast to Iqaluit. Half way up they encountered some engine trouble and ultimately had to use the words no pilot ever want to use "Mayday". The plane went down south of Baffin Island over the Arctic Ocean. Search and Rescue crews were sent out immediately and searched all night but didn't find the plane or the two occupants. The following day, a ship was in the area and saw two objects in the far distance; both occupants had spent the night on an ice flow in frigid arctic temperatures just waiting to be found. Just imagine what those two guys went through - it get goose bumps when I think of how lucky they were. Both suffered frostbite to their hands and feet.

The other incident happened near Cambridge Bay and involved a Dornier aircraft that was coming back from Resolute Bay after picking up 12 crew workers. The plane was headed for Cambridge Bay but missed the run way and landed 1 1/2 kilometers away on the frozen tundra. How that plane never exploded on impact, no one will ever know. Instead it skitted to a halt and suffered significant damage to the front of the plane and to the right wing and propeller. Again, no one was injured. When local residents heard about what happened, they rushed out to the accident on snowmobiles and got all the passengers to safety. Again, no one was seriously injured. 

I will continue to fly despite my fear, otherwise I'd be stuck in Iqaluit for the rest of my life, and we all know that's not going to happen. Happy flying everyone. 

 

How Do You Explain -50?

In the past three years, I've experienced what cold is - but everyone's definition of "cold" is different - it obviously depends on where you live. Growing up in the barren Saskatchewan landscape, it wasn't uncommon to see the mercury dip below -25, actually it was more common than not during the winter months. Snow was usually on the ground for Halloween and most had to adjust their costumes to accommodate snow suits, tuques, mitts, etc. So, coming North hasn't been all that much of an adjustment, well with the exception of adjusting to temperatures hovering around the -50 mark, which usually last for three months. 

I can remember my first experience in such temperatures. It was January and the Rand's had a few people over for supper and drinks where everyone socialized around their wood fireplace. Later on the night, someone came up with the "brilliant" idea that it would be fun to go play a game of football. We all laughed and joked about going to throw around the pig skin but never really materialized until someone found a football. Eight of us suited up and headed out on to Coronation Drive and played a little touch football...in -64 degrees Celcuis. What were we thinking??? The game didn't last too long - as the football exploded when Mitch kicked it. We were all VERY thankful that the ball busted b/c I don't think many of us would have lasted much longer. Inside we went, some with frostbite, some with their eye lashes frozen together, and some with no feeling in their feet; we were outside for maybe five minutes. I don't have any pictures of the football game, only because cameras just don't work in those temperatures. But, what an experience!!!

The temperature is one thing people talk about everyday and is probably the most talked about topic. When there's an uncomfortable silence or when there's nothing else to talk about, there's always the weather to fall back on; it's ever changing and there's always something to say. I've been watching the falling temperatures in Saskatchewan this weekend and they finally issued a windchill warning for the province as it has reached -40, the coldest it's been since 1966 (so CTV news reports). I can honestly say that -40 with NO wind isn't that bad at all. It's the wind that makes all the difference. Because everyone is always so interested in the weather, I'm always asked the same questions when I return home to the prairies - what's the weather like up there? There's no denying the fact that it's cold but I've always had trouble explaining just how cold it is. I can throw out numbers like -40 or -67 (that's the coldest I've experienced) but until you experience it for yourself, you just have to believe me when I say that it cuts through your body like a million needles hitting your skin all at once; it's a sharp, sudden pain that if it finds any exposed skin can result in frostbite within seconds. I once accidentally took my glove off to open a door with a metal doorknob and I thought I had burnt the skin off of my hand. There was no permanent damage but it hurt so much - I learnt my lesson about taking gloves off to open doors.

The cold weather is depressing - the coldest months in the Arctic being December to March - but you can't let the cold weather prevent you from enjoying the things you like. Last winter a few of us hopped on some snowmobiles and headed out to a cabin for the night. There was a blizzard in effect so the winds were howling, a cool -55 , but we thought we'd head out nonetheless. We made it there safely, having only to stop once to re-tie the gas cans to the qamatiq. We had a blast playing crib and board games all night and I'm glad I now know what snowmobiling in a blizzard feels like (I'm also amazed we made it there alive now that I know what it's like to snowmobile in a blizzard - but that's a whole different story).

So, to those in Saskatchewan, I feel your pain as you go through your temporary cold spell. Don't fret, however, as it appears a warm front is heading your way. In the meantime, I'll stay warm in my Canada Goose parka and my ever warm wolf mitts.

Good-bye to 2008!!

Happy New Year from Chesterfield Inlet

2008 has finally come to an end ---- or ---- it's already come to an end. Is it just me or does time go by even faster the older we get? So much has happened in the last 12 months; I went through personal triumphs and many disappointing hardships to last awhile, I hope. One thing that will forever stand out in my mind was being able to participate in the 2008 Kitikmeot Cup. It was a hockey tournament held in Kugluktuk in February where teams from all around Western Nunavut came to play. Let me also point out that it was a men's tournament! I was on team B and although not the strongest team there, many, many fans still came out and cheered us on; the rink was packed. During one of the games, I was on the ice and the whole crowd started cheering my name - Go Kristen Go!! It was the first time I ever got chills while playing hockey and I've been playing hockey since I was seven years old. I know to most people it doesn't sound like that big of a deal but I guess it just made me realize that the community had accepted me and had welcomed me, no matter what profession I was in. Many people came up to me afterwards telling me how proud they were of me. I don't want to sound narcissistic or self-absorbed but it meant a lot me. Perhaps I just missed the ice (it had been four years since I last played in an actual tournament).

Unfortunately the year couldn't be filled with hockey tournaments and cheering fans; as most of you know me and Scott separated and decided to go our own ways after leaving Kugluktuk. He to Edmonton, and me to Iqaluit. I can pretend that it wasn't hard on me and I can make jokes about the situation to divert serious conversations about the issue, but in reality, yes, it hurt. It hurt a lot. I'm not one to discuss things, especially issues going on in my personal life so trust me when I tell you that I'm okay with not talking about it, I actually prefer it that way. I hope 2009 won't bring any further conversations involving marriage, divorce, what went wrong, etc. It happened, it's over, it's time to move on, because I have.

As the year went on, more pain came. My beloved Grandma DeWulf passed away after suffering a stroke in early July. Fortunately I was able to rush home and say good-bye to her. I miss her dearly and there's not a day that goes by where she doesn't cross my mind at some point. I've already said enough about her in previous posts so I won't go on but loosing Grandma was my first experience with losing a family member and it's pain I had never really felt before - I am now better at remembering the little things and not taking any thing for granted because life is oh so precious.

After the passing of Grandma DeWulf, it was time to pack up and leave the little Hamlet of Kugluktuk which I had grown to love. The people, the nature, the water, and of course the artwork is something that I hold dear to me. I hope to one day return there - if only for a few days to say hi to all the many people I miss. I made life long friends while there and although some have also moved on I know we will all meet up again some day. Banff in March???

In July '08 I moved to Iqaluit - the capital city of Nunavut. Since my arrival, it seems as though I've been living on an airplane. I've been down to Ottawa, across to Saskatchewan (and built a cabin), back up to Kugluktuk, over to Repulse Bay, Arviat, Whale Cove, and finally Chesterfield Inlet, twice. Whether it was part of an ongoing investigation or doing relief work - I've definitely seen more communities than I ever thought when I decided to make the big move across the territory. I don't regret my decision to move East, I have met some great people in Iqaluit. There are a select few that had I not met them, my experience in Iqaluit would definitely be less enjoyable. 

So, it is New Years' Eve and here I sit - in RCMP quarters in Chesterfield Inlet. I will most likely celebrate New Years in my PJ's all nice and warm, and comfy in bed. I wish you all the best in 2009.

Pain, Sweat, and Tears

I'm on my first IPA of the 2008-2009 fiscal year. An IPA is a 30 day holiday that RCMP members who work in the North receive - and we get two a year. On past IPA's I've travelled to Cuba, Jamaica, Las Vegas, etc. but this trip is not so much a holiday but an opportunity to work on my cabin. I purchased a lot at Thomson Lake Park (http://www.thomsonlake.com/) in December 2007 and am building an 1100 square foot cabin. I have hired DeWulf Construction to do the cement and the framing (and the plumbing and the electrical...). I, of course, am the foreman and make all the final decisions. Actually, my Dad is building my cabin as he is an amazing carpenter and overall handyman. He's doing everything, including running all over southern Saskatchewan picking out windows and picking up my lumber. While Dad figures out all the measurements, I am the one who is actually pounding the nails. I'm learning lots and I'm enjoying learning how to build a cabin - I may start to build cabins in my spare time...

We've been working on it for the past week and have made serious progress. I've been adding pictures to Facebook, but for all you out there who aren't members, I will post the pictures here too. Just follow the link below to take a look:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=129366&l=76f46&id=571280544


I'll keep adding pictures to that album until the house warming party so check back often. Hopefully it will be completely framed this week.

Why, oh why do I love the North?!?

I haven't seen the sun in 30 days; it started snowing on September 15th, and not just a little blanket of snow, I mean big, fluffy snow flakes; for the cost of milk I could buy a small car; I'm a million miles from my family, yet somehow, someway I still find myself enjoying living on the top of the world. I've thought a lot about why I extended my time here and I can never come up with an answer. Perhaps it's the 30 days without seeing the sun, or the early snowfalls, or maybe even the fact that I'm miles away from my family (relax mom, it's not because of the 30 days without the sun!!).

I can preach all I want about the benefits about being up here; I can talk to someone until I'm blue in the face telling them to explore Canada's Arctic before venturing over seas to see the Pyramids or the Eiffel Tower but the fact of the matter is, it's cheaper to go see the Pyramids or the Eiffel Tower. There is so much to offer North of 60 but the cost to get here is just too damn high. For a trip to Pond Inlet, probably one of the most beautiful places on earth, would cost you a mere $2700. A place where beluga whales, polar bears and walrus' dance along the shores is just not worth paying that much money to see, unfortunately. And had I not transferred up here with my job, sadly I would have never seen Nunavut as it wasn't somewhere I thought about traveling to. I wanted to go see the Pyramids - but unfortunately, there are no employment opportunities in the RCMP in Africa (or where ever the Pyramids are)!

The weather is also a huge factor in people's mind when deciding where to go for their holiday. No one wants to have to pack snow pants, a parka, and face masks - packing less is just easier and going hot is simply more convenient. Winter is September to December where the temperatures hover around -5 to -20. Winter is December to May where the temperatures hover around -20 to -60. Summer is May to August where the temperatures vary from -20 to +30 (on a good day). So, that only leaves four good traveling months to venture outside your comfort zone to really live like you were dying.

The positive things that I can personally say I enjoy: Niyak, my eskimo husky I got in Kugluktuk; the midnight sun, there's nothing quite as peaceful and relaxing as sitting watching the non-existent sunset; the northern lights, a sight so beautiful that I wish I had a convertible so I could watch them all night long; Arctic Char, I don't like fish but char makes my mouth water just thinking about it; the Arctic Ocean, water so blue and crisp that it makes me want to dive in (don't dive in though, you'd die of coldness!); polar bears, such a magnificent creature - I can't leave Nunavut until I see one in person; the airports, I can land and 10 minutes later I'll be at home; the scenery, cliffs, mountains, tundra, sandy beaches, waterfalls, etc all in my backyard; the wildlife, seals, muskox, caribou, wolves, grizzly bears, etc - hopefully not in my backyard; the money, if you work for the government, they make it worth your while to work up here.

Yesterday, I had to qualify with my pistol. Something that still makes me nervous about till this day (those of you who know me, know why). There was a blizzard, it was -4 but with the

windchill it felt considerably colder, and I forgot my gloves and parka...! The following are pictures from the shoot. Yes, that's snow stuck to the targets.

Yep, that's me.

Stay warm.

Iqaluit, Nunavut

I am finally beginning to settle in. It's been a whole month and a half since I made the big move across this vast territory to the Capital of Nunavut, Frobisher Bay, now known as Iqaluit (Ekaloweet). Myself and Niyak ventured over here with just enough stuff to survive for a few weeks (ie/ clothes, one plate, one pot, and one frying pan). My first three trips to the Northmart (they're called Northmarts here, not Northern stores) cost me over $1500 to re-stock my house full of milk, orange juice, yogurt, beggin' strips, and chicken. My credit card hasn't seen that much action in a while.

I live on the Road to Nowhere (I think I'll rename the street "Road to Kristen's House") in an apartment on the second floor. Niyak has her very own balcony and she made it clear of that on our first day here with her first big poop (she hasn't done it since, thank god). I have an incredible view from the balcony and that is what the picture is of up top. It's not as nice as the ocean front view I had in Kugluktuk, but I'm beginning to think that I'll never have that kind of property again. I actually have to go back there next week for court. YAH! I'm so excited.

I went out for a walk tonight and the sun was setting over the Bay and a thought jumped into my brain, you just don't see sunsets like that in the south. I fell in love with the North a long time ago and it's still takes my breath away when I see a beautiful sunset or the aurora borealis dancing above. I walked home the other night at 10:30PM and the sky was alive. I stood out there for awhile just taking it in. It gets quite chilly at night so I wasn't out too long. I can't explain it. Anyone who has seen it knows what I'm talking about.

Iqaluit won't be too bad after all. I've met some great people so far and the job is going good. The simple fact that I can come home and not sit by the phone and wait for it to ring has reassured me that I made the right decision in coming here. I can actually wake up in the morning and go for a walk with my dog and not have to rush to get ready, I can just "be" without the stress of knowing I'll get called out. I'm doing work of what a 5-6 year constable would be doing, and I'm learning so much. This Division is so short staffed that it amazes me that the RCMP hasn't yet begun forcing people to come up here. I understand that every province is short staffed but Nunavut must be made a priority as its members are overworked and underpaid. Perhaps slowly, they are filling all these empty positions...

Last week, I bought myself a 1998 four door Suzuki Sidekick. It's a five speed, I've never owned a standard but it's not that different than the grain truck. I haven't stalled it yet so I'm happy. I also started playing hockey every Tuesday, can you believe it, hockey in August? I didn't know that was possible. In two weeks, I start coaching a girls team with another member. I love helping the kids out so I jumped at the opportunity to do this, time will tell if it is successful. 

I could probably write all night long but I have laundry to do. I apologize to everyone that I never call them. You must understand that I hate talking on the phone and would rather blast off an e-mail every once in awhile to make sure all is well. All is well here, I've danced in the aisles at the movie theatre, I've done jello shooters, and I've woken up with a hangover once or twice...life is good.