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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1984-05-23, Page 2MASONRY A kamiik, caribou skin with the hair on and to the outside on the leg section, and with the hair in on the foot area. On some of these kamiiks, a sole is added with the hair to the outside. If there is no sole, an additional moccasin, hair out, is placed over the foot. The pants, which ride low on the hip and come to just below the knees, are pulled on next and held in place with suspenders. A light down jacket, heavy sweater, or both according to the temperature, are put on next and the knee length parka pulled over the whole outfit. A toque, caribou mittens and face mask complete the ensemble, and you're ready for just about anything. Sur- prisingly, once dressed, the -outfit seems very light and mobility does not feel restricted to any great degree. The next step is a quick check of the qamutik (traditional sled) to see that the essentials are there and lashed down securely. Spare fuel for the snowmobile, Coleman stove and teapot, saw to cut snow blocks if you get caught out and have to build an igloo; a chunk of frozen caribou meat, rifle, spare rope, and three or four caribou skins (cushions for the rider on the qamutik and emergency sleeping robes if needed) are all checked off. A few spare parts for the snowmobile are added, and you're ready for a day trip. The Coleman stove and teapot are essen- tial for any outing, and any excuse to stop and make tea is seized withenthusiasm. Few people realize it, but the Aorctic is a true desert area, getting very little precipitation, and the air is extremely dry. Dehydration can occur very, easily, with drastic con- sequences, so it -is important to keep the body fluid level up. Tea, of course, is the main beverage, and consequently is con- sumed in very large quaptities. The biggest danger when travelling is frostbite on the face, due to the wind chill factor, but with a few precautions any trip Turn to page 3 APPLIANCE REPAIRS Large or small, we'll fix them all.... Our' repair experts will have your appliance in tip top shape fast. Call Us Today At PECK- APPLIANCES 'IN THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN VARNA'. VARNA 482-7103 ROBERT G. dO 0 D 4 4' 5 of 72 THE SQUARE GOLDSMITH SILVERSMITH JEWELLERY DESIGNER REPAIRS ALSO • CERAMICS • PORCELAINS • WEAVING • GLASS CANADIAN AWARD WINNING DESIGNER Godoleteh, Ontario 524-4509 PAG Mrs - G' RP WED ES A , 4A7/28, 1984 Recently Steve Cooke of Clinton visited Canada's great Northwest Territories. Steve flew into Resolute Bay to hunt muskox and experience life in the Arctic. The week . long excursion was described by Steve as, "a magnificent trip...a visit to the N.W.T. is something every Canadian should strive for at least once in their lifetime." (Steve Cooke photo) da vacation r March break in tradlllolaUy the time when 1 anadians make a mass exit to the Sallied States' sw them states, hut not for SteveCooke:oi Clinton. While vacationers headed south, Steve set his sites for the opposite end of the North American continent - Canada's Northwest Territories. .. Steve and five travelling companions from Germany, Florida and Texas, spent a week in Canada's great north to hunt muskox and see the Arctic way of life. .. The trip, organized by Canada North Outfitting from Waterdown, was described by Steve as a trip of a lifetime. Canada's Last Frontier By Steve Cooke Awesome! It's the only suitable word available to describe Canada's High Arctic. In summer, it's endless miles of rolling, hillocky,tundra with a profusion of bright wildfloers and crystal clear lakes and rivers. In winter, it's white, white, and more white. The Northwest Territories of Canada is a vast and expansive area stretching 3,200 kilometers (2,000 miles) east to west, and from the 60th parallel to the North Pole. The territories cover more than 3.3 million square kilometers and represent more than half of the total land mass of Canada. Its population is a cultural rnix of Inuit (Eskimos), Dene (Indian and Metes) and Canadians of European origin who have chosen to reside in the north. Most people live in towns, villages and hamlets, but recently outpost camps have been re- established by some Inuits interested in liv- ing to BMW traditional style, Out of.a total of 64 communities in the Nor thweat Territories, 42 of them are accessible ot�lly tar. aircl.aft.. As a result of isolation, dilatamtce,' and transportation costs, the coat of living is generally 301040 40 per cent higher than southern Canada. This important aspect of Arctic life is demonstrated at every turn, and is even evi- dent before you arrive there. Nordair ser- vices the Arctic with efficient flights originating in Montreal and Toronto to points north, with Frobisher Bay on Baffin Island being the major crossroads point. The flights up and back are comfortable and efficient (you even get a champagne breakfast if the timing is right) in a modern Boeing 737, but as soon as you board the air- craft you start to realize how important that air carrier umbilical lifeline is to the north. Rarely do the 737's carry more than three dozen passengers (makes for excellent ser- vice from the friendly stewardesses), and the rest of the plane is separated off to transportthose much needed supplies. Once there, contact with the friendly Inuit (Inuit is the term preferred by the local in- habitants and means "The People" in their language. Eskimo is an Indian name which translates as "eaters of raw meat" and is regarded as more of a derogatory term) makes you appreciate their philosophical approach to the harsh conditions. It's amaz- ing that man could adapt at all to the en- vironment, yet archeological records show that the Inuit have a history and culture which goes back over 4,000 years. Before the white man entered the picture, Cooke the Inuit were virtually free of com- muntcable diseases and lived on a highro- tent diet (mainly fish, seal and caribou) in perfect harmony with the land. Nature pro- vided themwith the only clothing (caribou skin with its hollow hair) which would allow them to survive the icy blasts of winter, high energy foods and seal oil for light and heat, 'lie white man brought disease, alcohol, amid carbohydrate based foods, which have contributed to a general decline in health and dental status. It is encouraging to see the move away from modern technology,. and a return to the more traditional lifestyles of their ancestors. A visit to the Northwest Territories is something every Canadian should strive for at least once in their lifetime. Organized tours are being conducted all the time, and general sightseeing trips can be coupled with favorite activities. Fishing trips for Arctic Char and Grayling can be arranged along with wildlife photographic trips. Caribou hunting takes place in the late sum- mer and Muskox hunting in the spring. Cross country ski trips, organized snowmobile excursions to the magnetic North Pole, backpacking trips, and even ge- nuine dog sled trips on traditional hunting and fishing trips with the Inuit themselves are possible. For information on trips to Canada's Northwest Territories, contact Canada North Outfitting, 254 Dundas St. E., Waterdown, Ontario, LOR 2H0. It takes a lit- tle bit of a pioneering attitude to make this magnificent trip, but once on your way, every second will be savoured, cherished, and remembered. Muskox - species from the ice age Travelling orLthe tundra can be dangerous "`fir By Steve Cooke Muskox are a carry over species from the ice age and actually seem to be out of place in the vast regions they inhabit. None the less, they are well adapted to survive in the harsh environment where they are found, and due to a strictly regulated harvest pro- gram are increasing in numbers throughout their original range. They have also been in- troduced to Iceland, Spitsbergen, Nunivak Island and the. Kargulen Islands of the An- tarctic. The name Muskox, placed on the beast by early explorers, is a complete misnomer. There is no musk, even though the bulls ex- ude a.strong odor when rutting, and they are more closely related to goats than to any other animal. In many ways the name Arc- tic Buffalo would be more appropriate since their horn formation and herd instincts more closely resemble the African Cape Buffalo. The best name by far for this exotic animal, however, is the Inuit name Om- ingmak which means "the'animal with skim like a beard". The Omingmak were heavily hunted by early explorers in the 19th century for their. meat as well as their hides, and by 1930, it 'was estimated that only about 500 animals remained on the mainland.. The hides, with their long guard hairs and soft silky under - fur, were prized for sleigh rugs, and it is estimated that between 1864 and 1916, over 15,000 skins were shipped from Northern Canada. In 1917 the muskox received full protection and the herd today is estimated to be in excess of 10,000 animals. A limited number of tags areissued each year to the IMO Inuit, based on extensive active research programs and the individual use of the tags is decided upon by the local Hunters Trap- pers Associations in the various com- munities. ornmunities. Most tags are retained for domestic use by the Inuit themselves, but through agreements reached in 1979, a few are sold each year for use by white sport hunters. These sport tags are proving to be very valuable economically to the isolated Inuit communities in the Arctic. As I said before, Muskox seem in- congruous in their Arctic Setting. Land mammals in the north are generally small bodied, so less area is exposed to the bitter cold and smaller quantities of food are re- quired to maintain the necessary energy Turn to page 3 • BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY OPTOMETRY R.W.'BELL OPTOMETRIST The Square, GODERICH 524-7661 JOHN LONGSTAFF OPTOMETRIST Seaforth 527-1240 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 9:00-5:30 Saturday 9:00-12:00 noon Closed Wednesdays BY APPOINTMENT Free parking on premises ELECTRIC VS EL��1rA`0 *ECONOMY *QUALITY *SERVICE "Big lobs or small, we guarantee them all" 482-7374 CLINTON OR CALL 1-114-263-9235 ASK FOR PAGER NO. 7 REPAIR Clinton Electric 0 White -Westinghouse si-izs t p u si rt t Appliances Sales and Service APPLIANCE REPAIRS ELECTRICAL MAINTENANCE 90 ALBERT ST. 4823646 APPLIANCE and REFRIGERATION REPAIR SERVICE Jim Broadfoot 482-7032 INSURANCE, GAISER-KNEALE INSURANCE BROKERS INC. Insurance -Real Estate Investments Isaac St., Clinton Phone Office 482.9747. Len Theodora 482-7994 Hal Hartley 482-3693 Bob Thomas 482.3096 Bill Counter 482-3U7 JOHN WISE INSURANCE BROKERS LTD. General Insurance Guaranteed Investments Clinton Office: 462-9644 Rai.: 482.7265 ABATTOIR SERVICE BENDER'S ABATTOIR Mill Street, Hansa!! 262-3130 -I Home Grown Beef and Pork Wholesale, Retail and Custom Slaughtering. Kill day Tuesday. NO CHARGE FOR BEEF SLAUGHTERING IN MAY. Market weight hogs. Complete flat rate,'35.00 Book in advance Tuesday, May 1st to Thursday May 31st Our own chubs. Bologna, Wieners, Polish d Summer Sausage, Joined Pork and Processed Homs d Picnics. Our Motto is - "The Golden Rule" HILL'S PAINTING •Interior or Exterior *Residential Service •Reasonable Rates 56524511 CAM HOLLAND MASONRY • Brick • Block • Angelstane FREE ESTIMATES 527-1906 STELARC METAL 1 PRODUCTS I *Iron Railings *Trailers & Hitches *General Fabricating *Portable Welding Equipment Phone 482-901 0 ACCOUNTANT LAND JEFFERY CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS KARL C. LENTZ P.O. BOX 305 BLYTH, ONT. NOM1H0 (519) 523-9589 JOHN W. JEFFERY P.O. BOX 909 MOUNT FOREST, ONT. NOG 2L0 (519) 323-4114 PHOTOGRAPHY Fitzgerald `Studios • photography custom framing fine art prints 400 James Street Clinton 482-3890 GLASS/ALUMINUM See us for your building projects •Glass and mirror •Energy-efficient replacement windows •Window & screen repair •Plexiglass •Door service and repairs •Complete range of aluminum siding and building products Clinton G) 31 L`a1J mN^ror, and aluminum pqr o l sots 54 Princess 3t. West, CLINTON 4823322 • 1114LlHANSCAL. BAILEYS P.O. BOX 29 MILL STREET, HENSALL, ONT. NOM 1X0 HEATING * AIR CONDITIONING * SHEET METAL SALES * SERVICE * SATIFISFACTION BILL BAILEY 262-2020 Specialists in Pulse Combustion Healing Dressing for the Acrtic cold means layers and layers of clothing. Shirts, trousers, socks and underwear made from wool, along with caribou skin boots, parka, pants and mitts make up the typical Arctic attire. One participant on the recent N.W.T. excursion found the -20 .Celeius' temperatures a complete contrast to the 32 degree Celcuis heat he encountered on a previous African safari. (Steve Cooke photo) By Steve Cooke Travel on the tundra is not something which should ever be taken lightly. In that harsh and unforgiving country, a mistake, a slip up or a little thoughtlessness, which would just be an inconvenience in the south, can mean death in the Arctic. Two of our guides, who set out for our Muskox hunting camp 180 miles south of Resolute Bay on snowmobiles, got caught up in an ice fog. Unable to pick up any landmarks and, not sure of where they were, they made a snow camp and waited out three days of cold, wind and fog until the weather lifted. When they finally got on the move again, it turned out that they were only two miles from our warm and comfortable huts. A light twin engine aircraft ran into unex- pected headwinds while we were there and ran out of fuel. There was only one thing to do; a wheels up, belly in landing on the ice. The Emergency Locating Transmitter went into action when the plane was down, and every available aircraft in the area was up searching for the lost plane. Seven hours later it was found, and the crew and. passenger airlifted out to Resolute Bay: The plane itself was salvaged the following day by doing on the spot repairs, lifting the air- craft up so they could put the wheels down, and shovelling out a runway by hand on the ice. These occasions are rare, but they do happen. When we headed out to hunt Muskox, caribou skin clothing was the dress of the day. Conventional clothing, no matter how good a rating it gets, just isn't quite good enough to do the job. The only thing that comes close is the specialized gear developed by the armed forces for Arctic warfare, and even that isn't as good. The method of dressing was time consum- ing, but once completed you were complete- ly insulated from the Arctic cold. Wool underwear, a heavy wool shirt, wool pants and two pairs of good wool socks formed the inner layer. If you are allergicto wool, forget the Arctic in winter, because it is essential. The kamiiks (boots) came next. These items come in a variety of forms, ac- cording to the individual maker, but they are all basically the same. A long -wool duf- fle sock, which comes over the knee, goes on first, and then another wool duffle moc- casin. Over this goes the main shell of the Va401,--ceft Oft Srn�te' 5/ecil4 jAQUAFRESH TOOTHPASTE $ 1 9 100 mi. ONLY SCOPE MOUTHWASH $ 35 9 750 ml. plus 250 ml. FREE ONLY EFFERDENT DENTURE CLEANING TABLETS 66's ONLY $ 1 99 NUTRI-DIET MILKSHAKE 20 pouches ONLY $$99 VASELINE PETROLEUM JELLY 500 gm. ONLY $269 ROLAID S 135's $ 1 9 ONLY Q -TIPS Cotton Swabs 180's ONLY 994 Mother Parker INSTANT COFFEE 10 oz. $399 ONLY TFIIANG LE DISCD U NT„� 172 THE SQUARE, GODERICH MAIN CORNER, CLINTON MAIN CORNER. SEAFORTH II