Introduction

This blog was set up for members, family, and friends of the Canadian Habitat for Humanity - Global Village team traveling to Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada from August 10-18, 2013. It will be used to document the challenges, successes, and impressions they have while providing affordable and decent housing to families in Iqaluit.

The first group of posts include background information on the trip and our destination. For updates as the trip progresses - check back here in August! Although we are not sure about internet access yet, we will try to provide periodic updates, and at the very least we will post our updates upon our return home.

See you soon!

Trip Overview

content from online trip description

A very special trip - with a purpose! Come and experience the magic of the Arctic and make a difference in the life of a hardworking family in need of a hand up. If you love to travel and see more of our beautiful country, but above all you love to help others and like to work hard on a construction site, please come and join us! It will be an experience you will never forget!

About Iqaluit:

Iqaluit, formerly known as Frobisher Bay, is the capital and administrative centre of Canada’s newest territory, Nunavut. Situated in the hills overlooking the Koojesse Inlet, Iqaluit is located east of Nunavut's mainland and north of Quebec on Baffin Island and is only accessible by air, by sea or by dogsled and snowmobile! A gateway to the unique world of the arctic, this community is known for its world renowned artwork, the Inuit-inspired architecture of the Legislature building and Anglican Church, and the Nunatta Sunakkutaangit Museum and Visitors Centre, which showcases the local history and includes an impressive collection of Inuit artifacts.

Our team will stay in 2 fully furnished townhouses provided by Habitat Iqaluit. Kitchens are fully equipped for us to prepare our breakfasts and dinners. Lunch and snacks will be provided onsite.

This trip to Iqaluit will cost approximately $1,750. This trip cost includes round-trip airfare from Ottawa. Participants will also need to arrange and pay for air/ground transportation to Ottawa, Canada, plus $100 for R&R*. The trip cost includes lodging, food, ground transportation, traveler’s medical insurance, orientation materials and a donation to the Global Village program.

Where Are We?

content from Wikipedia 

Iqaluit is the capital and administrative center of Canada’s newest territory, Nunavut. Its coordinates are

63.7500° North and 68.5500° West

.

 

Iqaluit has the distinction of being the smallest Canadian capital in terms of population and the only capital that is not connected to other settlements by a highway. Located on an island remote from the Canadian highway system, Iqaluit is generally only accessible by aircraft and, subject to ice conditions, by boat. As of the 2011 census the population was 6,699, an increase of 8.3 percent from the 2006 census; it has the lowest population of any capital city in Canada. Inhabitants of Iqaluit are called Iqalummiut (singular: Iqalummiuq).

In the middle of summer, a few ships transport bulk and heavy goods to the city. Cargo is off-loaded onto barges as the harbour is not deep enough. Experienced locals also cross the Hudson Strait from the Canadian mainland when it freezes over, either on foot or by dog sled or snowmobile, a distance of over 100 km (62 mi).

Iqaluit has a local road system only stretching from the nearby community of Apex to the Sylvia Grinnell Territorial Park Reserve, 1 km (0.62 mi) west of town. Iqaluit currently has no public transportation, although there is city-wide taxi service. Motor cars are increasing in number, to the extent of causing occasional traffic jams known locally as "the rush minute."  Iqaluit is the only Canadian capital city not to have traffic signals.

Taxi companies in Iqaluit include Pai-pa Taxi (979-5222) and Nunavut Caribou Cabs (979-4444). Taxis cost a flat rate of $6.00 per person, per trip. The taxi will also carry other passengers, so don't be surprised if you don't go directly to your destination. Group transportation to the build site will be in a van owned by Habitat.

Nunavut Flag

content from Wikipedia

The flag of the Canadian territory of Nunavut consists of gold and white fields divided vertically by a red inukshuk with a blue star in the upper fly. The colours blue and gold were selected to represent the "riches of land, sea, and sky", while red is used to represent Canada as a whole. The inukshuk, which divides the flag, is a traditional stone monument used to guide travellers and to mark sacred sites. In the upper fly, the blue star represents the North Star (Niqirtsituk), an important object due to its key role as a navigational beacon, and as symbolically representing the wisdom and leadership of community elders.

Nunavut Flag

History

content from Wikipedia


Iqaluit was founded in 1942 as an American airbase, geographically located to provide a stop-over and refueling site for short range fighter aircraft being ferried across the Atlantic to support the war effort in Europe. Iqaluit's first permanent inhabitant was Nakasuk, an Inuk guide who helped American Air Force planners to choose a site with a large flat area suitable for a landing strip. Long regarded as a campsite and fishing spot by the Inuit, the place chosen had traditionally been named Iqaluit – "place of many fish" in Inuktitut – but Canadian and American authorities named it Frobisher Bay, after the name of the body of water it abuts.

Iqaluit Airport

 The Hudson's Bay Company moved its south Baffin operations to the neighboring valley of Niaqunngut, officially called Apex, in 1949 to take advantage of the airfield. The population of Frobisher Bay increased rapidly during the construction of the Distant Early Warning Line (DEW line, a system of radar stations, see North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD)) in the mid-1950s. Hundreds of construction workers, military personnel, and administrative staff moved into the community, and several hundred Inuit followed to take advantage of the access to medical care and jobs the base provided. In 1957, 489 of the town's 1,200 residents were reported to be Inuit. After 1959, the Canadian government established permanent services at Frobisher Bay, including full-time doctors, a school and social services. The Inuit population grew rapidly in response, as the government encouraged Inuit to settle permanently in communities with government services.

DEW Line Map

The American military left Iqaluit in 1963, as intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) diminished the strategic value of the DEW line and Arctic airbases, but Frobisher Bay remained the government's administrative and logistical centre for much of the eastern Arctic. In 1964, the first elections were held for a community council, and in 1979 for the first mayor. 

On 1 January 1987, the name of this municipality was officially changed from "Frobisher Bay" to "Iqaluit" - aligning official usage with the name that the Inuit population had always used. In December 1995, Iqaluit was selected to serve as Nunavut's future capital in a territory-wide referendum, in which it was chosen over Rankin Inlet. On 19 April 2001, it was officially re-designated as a city.

Habitat Program

content from www.habitat.ca

HFHIQ - Great need; Great Opportunity

At the top of the world, under the midnight sun, there is a desperate need for affordable housing.
Habitat for Humanity Iqaluit's (HFHIQ) mission is to mobilize volunteers and community partners in building affordable housing and promoting homeownership as a means of breaking the cycle of poverty.

Why do we need Habitat housing in Nunavut?

• The Government of Nunavut currently owns over 4,000 public housing units.
• The annual cost to the government for building, operating and maintaining these homes exceeds $100 million and represents 12% of its annual budget.
• This financial burden will escalate in future years as the $56 million provided annually to the Government of Nunavut by the Canadian Housing and Mortgage Corporation declines, reaching zero by 2037.

Families in Iqaluit and the surrounding areas are already experiencing the impact of limited access to adequate housing and this is where HFHIQ hopes to make a difference by providing them with an affordable alternative to home ownership.

How Habitat Iqaluit addresses the need

Habitat for Humanity’s homeownership model empowers families to invest in homeownership. Through volunteer labour, efficient management and tax-deductible donations of money and materials, Habitat for Humanity builds and rehabilitates simple, decent houses with the help of partner families.

Iqaluit Volunteers

This is an exciting time for HFHIQ! Volunteers and partners are the backbone of our organization. We need your help as we work with our partners to build another home for a family in Iqaluit! We look forward to working with you to realize this dream.

Our team can expect to do a variety of jobs, such as carrying materials, cutting wood, nailing, installing siding, installing insulation and drywall etc.

Iqaluit Volunteers Hard at Work

Links 'n Things

Here are some links to other websites that you may find interesting....

• Habitat Canada Global Village: http://habitatglobalvillage.ca/index.php
• HfH Iqaluit Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Habitat-for-Humanity-Iqaluit/67619634416?fref=ts
• Tide Tables: http://www.waterlevels.gc.ca/eng/station?sid=4140
• Iqaluit City Visitor Guide: http://www.waterlevels.gc.ca/eng/station?sid=4140
• Iqaluit - New Challenges for Google Maps: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/on-iqaluit-streets-google-faces-new-challenges-in-first-day-of-mapping/article10048151/
• More on Inuktitut: http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/inuit/020018-1200-e.html  
• Iqaluit Visitor Guide: http://www.city.iqaluit.nu.ca/i18n/english/pdf/IqaluitVG2012.pdf
• Iqaluit City: http://www.city.iqaluit.nu.ca/i18n/english/index.html

Itinerary

content from trip documentation

Itinerary (tentative)

• Sat. Aug. 10 - Arrival and Orientation
• Sun. Aug. 11 - Sightseeing
• Mon. Aug. 12 - Build Day
• Tue. Aug. 13 - Build Day
• Wed. Aug. 14 - Build Day - Cultural Activity
• Thurs. Aug. 15 - Build Day
• Fri. Aug. 16 - Build Day
• Sat. Aug. 17 - Build Day – Closing ceremony
• Sun. Aug. 18 - Return home

Accommodation

content from team documentation 

Our Global Village team will be staying in two 3-bedroom townhouses known as “Green Row,” located near downtown and within easy walking distance of most services. Each unit has a full bathroom with tub/shower, and a half bathroom with sink/toilet. The kitchens are fully stocked with dishes, pots and pans, a coffee maker and microwave. Although sheets are provided, you should bring your own pillowcase and towels. There is also a washer/dryer in each unit, but you’ll need to provide your own supplies.

The address for the two townhouses is Green Row 673D and Green Row 673E,

Groceries:

There are two major grocery stores: NorthMart and Arctic Ventures Marketplace. While you will find prices expensive compared to the south, the selection is quite good in both places and you’ll see grocery items as well as hunting equipment, furs, and hardware. They are both within a 5-minute walk of Green Row.
NorthMart is open from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm Monday to Saturday, and 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on Sunday.
The Marketplace is open from 10:00 am to 10:00 am Monday to Saturday, and 1:00 pm to 10:00 pm on Sunday. The Marketplace has a great selection of northern books upstairs if you’re interested in books on Inuit art, northern history, or exploration.

Banking

Royal Bank, CIBC and First Nations Bank each have local branches in Iqaluit with ATMs, and they are all about a 5-minute walk from Green Row. There are ATM machines around town including NorthMart, Arctic Ventures Marketplace, the airport, and many restaurants. Debit cards are accepted almost everywhere; Visa and MasterCard are also regularly used. American Express is not as well accepted.

... what makes the world go around? Bank Cards!

What to Pack

content from trip documentation

Be prepared for rain, snow, sun, wind, and bugs. It’s best to stay layered, with a wind-resistant jacket. You’ll definitely want a hat and mitts, and sturdy walking shoes (when you’re not wearing your steel-toed boots, of course!). We have plenty of mosquitoes, but no black flies or other such critters.

Clothing (you will need to dress warmly):

1. Work pants
2. Long sleeved work shirts
3. Long john tops and bottoms (yes, you’ll likely be glad you have them!)
4. Warm hat that would fit under a hard hat (Habitat will supply hard hats)
5. Two pairs of leather palmed work gloves
6. Safety goggles (make sure they fit over your prescription glasses if needed)
7. Ear plugs
8. CSA Certified safety boots (the ones with a green triangle). Habitat Iqaluit has a limited number of safety boots for you to borrow.
9. Warm sweaters/sweatshirts
10. Pile jacket
11. Warm jacket/coat you can work in that will fit over your other layers
12. Rain jacket and pants Please bring this!
13. Mosquito head net or bug jacket
14. One nice outfit (not too fancy) for dinner in a restaurant
15. Comfortable shoes for walking around town
16. Socks, PJs & underwear 

Yup - Too Fancy...

 Other Items:

1. Assigned communal food items  
2. Food receipts
3. Sunglasses 
4. An extra pair of prescription glasses if you wear them 
5. Sunscreen 
6. Day pack 
7. Camera 
8. Any medications you take 
9. Toiletries 
10. Two rolls of toilet paper per person
11. Mosquito repellent - another team leader recommended 'Great Outdoors' made by Watkins - available at MEC and Sail
12. Water bottle 
13. Towels and facecloth
14. Pillowcase
15. Laundry soap (we will have access to a washer and dryer)
16. Money for personal expenses and souvenirs 
17. No alcohol
18. If you want to (and have space left) you could add in some small rocks from your home province for an Inukshuk.

Uh-oh!

Packing Tips

1. Be sure to pack all valuables, documents and anything you would need for an overnight stay (including medicine) in your carry-on bag in case your checked luggage is delayed or lost.
2. First Air allows each person to check two 70 lb. bags - so there won’t be any problem to have people bring up a cooler or extra bag of food.  It is important that each piece not weigh more than 32 kg (70 lb.) or they will be charged for the extra weight (see below).
3. The total carry-on bag space per passenger is a maximum of 10 x 18 x 22 inches (25 x 46 x 55 cm)
4. Transport Canada prohibits passengers from taking certain items on board an aircraft. Liquids and gels in amounts smaller than 100mL may be taken on board in carry-on baggage, provided they are placed in a clear and re-sealable plastic bag and the contents are in the original packing.
5. Over sized baggage (linear dimensions length + width + height = over 161 cm) is subject to a $100 charge.
6. Over weight baggage (over 32kg or 70 lb) is subject to a $100 charge.

OK - I think I have everything!

  

Food

content fromTeam Communications

Breakfast each day will be at the two houses, lunch will be on-site, and supper most nights will be made by the team at the houses. Six team members have signed up to make one meal each, and everyone will be bringing various food items to help keep costs down.

Breakfast

• coffee, black tea, green tea
• cold cereal (ie. Muesli & Vector)
• hot cereal - Instant Quaker oatmeal
• toast, bagels
• almond butter and/or peanut butter, jam, cream cheese
• eggs
• yogurt, non-hydrogenated margarine, butter
• milk, juice (to be purchased in Iqaluit)

Lunch

• At the build site provided by Habitat Iqaluit

Dinner (subject to change)

• Saturday 10 - Vegetarian Chili
• Sunday 11 - Build your own fajitas
• Monday 12 - Spaghetti - half meat, half veggie
• Tuesday 13 - Turkey
• *Wed 14 - Wing night at restaurant
• Thur 15 - Stew and veggie chili
• Friday 16 - Salmon
• *Saturday 17 - Dinner at a restaurant (Part of R&R, everyone pays for their own meals.

Snacks

• Almonds
• granola bars
• seeds
• dried cranberries
• cookies
• fruit (most likely apples and oranges)

Items such as laundry detergent, favourite snacks, specific cereals, chips, mustard, mayonnaise, hot sauce, etc, are all items that team members can bring with them, but are not included in the meal budget. Also, there are 2 big stores in town where we will be able to buy most things.

Emergency Contacts

content from team communication

Please note that these contacts are only to be used in the case of a true emergency.

Global Village Canada Emergency Contact Information for Iqaluit, Baffin Is.

For the duration of the trip someone at Global Village will be available, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to assist you with emergencies. If we are not immediately available we will return your call as soon as possible. You may contact us anytime, day or night if you need assistance.

HFH Canada On Call Staff

Emergency phone 226-808-7646 (call collect if necessary)
If you don’t reach someone immediately, leave a detailed message and the on call person will call you back as soon as possible.

HFH in Iqaluit, Baffin Island

Melanie Abbott at 867-222-2829 (please call her first)
Glenn Cousins - Chairman of the Board at 867-222-2001 (cell), 867- 979- 8951 (work)

Europ Assistance - Travel Assistance Provider (24hrs, 7days per week)

Policy #: ADD N1078 4177
Call collect from outside Canada and the USA: 1-202-659-7803
Call toll free from within Canada and the USA: 1-800-243-6124

Information for travel day Aug 10

If on Saturday, August 10, anyone is delayed and won't be able to make it to our 9:15 am flight with First Air, please contact Melanie from Habitat Iqaluit and update her on your situation. Once Joahnna's flight from Toronto arrives in Ottawa at around 8 am on August 10 she will make her way to meet the group at the gate for our flight to Iqaluit.

Weather

Iqaluit has a typically Arctic climate, although it is well outside the Arctic Circle. The city has cold winters and short summers that are too cool to permit the growth of trees. Although it is north of the tree line there are still shrubs that are classed, locally, as trees. These include the Arctic Willow which is hard to recognize as a tree because of its low height. The permafrost does not allow the taproot to get deeper than 6 in (150 mm) so this does not allow vertical growth. The Arctic Willow may be up to around 25 ft (7.6 m) horizontally, but only 6 in (150 mm) tall. 

Average monthly temperatures are below freezing for eight months of the year. Iqaluit's precipitation averages just over 400 mm (16 in) annually, much wetter than many other localities in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, with the summer being the wettest season.

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Record high °C	3	4	3	7	13	21	25	25	17	7	5	3
Average high °C	−22	−23	−18	−9	−1	6	11	10	4	−2	−8	−18
Average low °C	−30	−32	−28	−19	−7	0	3	3	0	−7	−16	−26
Record low °C	−45	−45	−44	−34	−26	−10	−2	−2	−12	−27	−36	−43
Wind Chill Low °C	−64	−65	−61	−53	−36	−18	−7	−8	−18	−42	−56	−60
Precipitation mm	21	15	21	28	26	35	59	65	55	36	29	18
Snowfall cm	22	16	25	32	25	9	0	0	13	34	32	21
Rainy days (≥0.2 mm)	0	0	0	0	1	7	13	14	9	1	0	0
Snowy days (≥0.2 cm)	12	10	12	12	11	4.7	0	0	7	15	14	12
Monthly sunshine hrs	34	97	170	223	193	196	217	169	88	54	40	19

Communication

content from team communication

Can you hear me now?

Only phones using Bell Mobility will work in Iqaluit. iPhones and other 3G/4G smartphones do NOT work regardless of the provider, unless you’re connected to a wireless network (for data only). Be prepared for dropped calls and the occasional delay in receipt and delivery of texts and messages. Prepaid calling cards for long distance calling are available from local retailers.

Are you sure it is plugged in?

Currently there is no Internet at the townhouses, but you can access Internet at the library (5-minute walk) and at other hotspots like the Caribrew Café. You will find Internet very slow compared to what you are used to, so please remember it’s best to keep your usage to checking email and Facebook or uploading a few pictures. You won’t be able to stream video or download huge files.

For family and friends to keep in touch - we will try to post updates here on a regular basis.