A Day in the Island Life

Well, I guess it's about time that I reveal a little more about life here on Moose Factory Island - which has turned out to be so much more busy than I was originally anticipating. I told Meg upon arriving that I was looking forward to a slower pace of life ... she just smirked.... and rightfully so. But you can sit back and relax these next few minutes as you read about some of the routine (but still not always so common) things going on up here in the North.

The irony in the above picture is perfect. It's where I start my day eating breakfast, enjoying the view of our neighbourhood... but as already alluded to, I am not the island girl lying in a hammock on the beach with her feet kicked up all day... but rather, the one who is running around on the ice and in the snow, sleeping at odd hours, and forgetting what day of the week it is. Still, the card received from friends of mine was so appreciated and put a huge smile on my face. Since you can't fully see the street in the background, here's a better view:

Being housed at a dead end, this is where I walk and/or drive on a daily basis. The right side of the street is other hospital housing, and the left side is mostly for teachers. Subsidized hospital/school housing is one of the approaches to help decrease the turnover rate, which is usually pretty high in a small isolated community like ours. Nonetheless, Meg and Jacob have managed to outlive their initial plan of up to one year to nearly five, and for now will be settling in even more permanently unless otherwise led by the Lord. From the outside that might seem crazy, but having lived here for five weeks now, I can appreciate the valuable work they do - both in and outside of the hospital - and speak into some of the many interesting (and mostly positive) aspects of northern life. To start, when you turn right at the other end of the street seen above, it's only another two minute walk to the hospital... so you can cross off commuting and sitting in traffic, because they really don't exist.

After making the turn you get this view - and the first thing anyone would notice are the vent-like structures following the hydro lines... those are insulated steam pipes that run from the steam plant established along with the hospital and the island's first formal fire service in 1950. For 68 years now they have been used to heat the hospital and a significant portion of the surrounding homes. The benefits include economical savings and a heat supply even during long-lasting power outages (well appreciated by all during the winter months).

Another turn to the left and the hospital is immediately within sight. It services Moose Factory's population of 2400 along with residents of Moosonee, Fort Albany, Kashechewan, Attawaspikat, and Peawanuck, which only have nursing stations. Building the hospital on the island made sense at the time, as one of the goals was to isolate and care for those inflicted with tuberculosis. In other words, the island offered a natural form of quarantine. With barriers to accessing the hospital and tuberculosis being much less of an issue today, however, there is talk of replacing what is Ontario's oldest unrenovated hospital with a new one that would be across the river on the mainland. As old as the hospital is, I still look forward to each shift and am incredibly grateful for how my placement is shaping me to become more flexible, resourceful, and innovative. I will speak more to my northern nursing experience in another blog :)

Beside the hospital to the right is a small fitness centre, the existence of which I was so happy to discover the week before moving. It's funny how much God has grown me to appreciate even the smallest things we so often take for granted in a larger city. On top of there even being a gym, a local guy named Tim had also taken on the task of renovating it... quite conveniently not long before I arrived. In my opinion he definitely earned to have the place named after him.

Despite my deep appreciation for somewhere to workout indoors, most of you know that I would much rather be outside... and Northern Ontario does not fall short in that regard. My trip up to James Bay outlined in my last post offers all the proof you need, but the immediate area around the island is also breathtaking and worth sharing. Hiking is one of my favourite hobbies no matter where I live, however it is even more accessible in Moose Factory, especially compared to downtown Toronto. Last week on one of our days off, Meg and I were able to enjoy a trek across the river and around another small island called Sawpit. We packed two pairs of snowshoes and set off during the best winter weather there could be: -15 degrees, minimal wind and pure sun.

After a few hours we were led back to the river where we crossed and returned to the island. Also near the end of the trail is the ice road - definitely one of the not so common aspects of life in this region. The roads are created and maintained by local contracting companies and make travel to and from Moose Factory much more feasible than during the warmer months. People are driving on the river as early as the beginning of December to as late as the beginning of April... but travel by foot or snowmobile is feasible for a longer period of time. While I've been here I've gotten to enjoy all three :)

Despite complicating access, the river during the warmer months is still enjoyed for its gorgeous white sand beaches, boating opportunities, and rare sightings of exotic sea life including seals and beluga whales. Meg insisted that I share this photo she took last August, and is using it to convince me to come back during the summer. Not a bad incentive at all.

Even during my time here, though, there has been no lack of astonishing views... sunrises, sunsets & all. With minimal infrastructure I've also been able to enjoy more nature than usual. I'm not spending much time shopping, for instance. Almost everything you can and need to buy is located in one building - the complex (see picture below) - which is home to a Northern grocery store, pharmacy, post office and restaurant. I don't actually mind having limited options (temptations really) as I have committed to at least six months of purchasing nothing new... other than food, toiletries, and such. With regard to food, Meg and Jacob rely quite minimally on Northern, where prices are absolutely bonkers. Instead, they grow a variety vegetables during the spring/summer/fall, freeze what they grow or what they purchase down south, and frequently order non-perishable food items shipped for free from Walmart.

Despite living a more simplified lifestyle, most days are still packed quite full. And it didn't take long for me to laugh at myself for thinking that I would be stepping into a slower pace of life. There is a lot happening at Moose Cree Chapel for one... and Meg, Jacob and I have certainly not been deprived of spending time together, often in deep, mind-boggling discussion. On a lighter note, I'm also taking part in a lot more homemade cooking/baking, which has involved coming up with new nacho flavours and learning how to use icing like a pro.

One of my favourite evenings was when the three of us spontaneously decided to throw on winter gear over our pyjamas to try and spot the northern lights... which is not as easy as you might think. I've been told that It's all about the weather conditions and timing - cold & clear, and at odd hours of the night -both to your inconvenience. When we left the house, it was nearly 30 below, almost 11:00 pm, and I was working a day shift the next morning. But it didn't matter to me... and I will gladly go again when the opportunity arises. The views we saw were pretty good but apparently could be significantly better. So here's a taste for now, and here's hoping I will have even better pictures to share later.

All new and exciting things aside, it has not been easy adjusting to a new routine and being away from so many of the people I love. But I can say with assurance that it is by stepping into the unknown and pressing onward through trial that we grow and are strengthened in our faith. I have been encouraged by James 1:2-4, which says, "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing". I am away from so much and so many, but my heart is still full. I am encountering new things on the daily, but it feels entirely right... and I am confident that I am where I am supposed to be for this season.