The South

I'm spending my spring break down in Vancouver, and the timing has proved fortuitous -- a snowshoe injury has been acting up, with a nagging and initially minor infection on my leg developing into something more serious. Had this occured while I was in Nahanni I would probably have had to be evacuated to Yellowknife or Edmonton for treatment.

I was actually quite apprehensive about coming here. When I was down last summer I found it very hard to adjust to the noise and rush of the city, and I was worried that it would be the same this time. Thankfully that hasn't proved the case, I'm feeling fairly comfortable and it is a joy to see my friends and family. There remains much I dislike about being in the big city, but it's tolerable. It'd be even better if I didn't have to spend so much time with doctors!

Return to Fort Providence

Fort Providence really does has a different feel to Nahanni Butte. There are always people coming and going, and with the highway only a short drive away it feels considerably more connected to the outside world. The steady wind gives a distinct bite to the air, especially when it mixes with the clouds of ice fog that roll in from the stretches of open water on the Mackenzie River.

It's strange to think that it has already been six months since I was last here. Even if there is not much to the town itself, it is still a pleasure to wander the streets under the wide, bright skies.

MRYC 2011

This year the Mackenzie Regional Youth Conference was held in Fort Providence. Our students enjoyed themselves, although as usual the themes of empowerment and making the most of every day fell by the wayside when stacked against the opportunity to mingle with kids from other communities.

The conference organizers also organized some classes for the chaperones, as well. There was an outdoor survival course, a storytelling seminar, and an opportunity to earn a Community Sport Leader certification from the Coaching Association of Canada. I elected to do the CAC course, and even though I didn't really learn anything especially earth-shattering it was still good to hear the experiences of others working in youth sports.