The Time Has Finally Come...

While, the time has finally come. Greg and I have decided to expand our family. We are getting a dog!!!!

We have discussed getting a dog before but the time just never seemed to be right. While up north this year and while getting to know Amanda's dog Dexter it became clearer and clearer that we wanted to get a dog. Greg and I have always wanted a basset hound. At first we thought if we got a basset hound it would be to big to travel on the planes and would just be a hassle (Amanda's dog Dexter just rides on her lap on all the planes and it seems fairly easy). We began looking at little dogs but Greg said he wanted a dog that he wouldn't be ashamed to walk.

After much discussion we decided we wouldn't settle and we would just go ahead and get our basset hound anyway and have him ride in the back of the plane.

Today we went to St.Mary's to look at some baby basset hounds. Of course once you see them you fall in love and we picked one out. Below are some pictures of our basset hound and its family.
The babies mother "Bella". She liked having lots of attention and love.

All the puppies. There were 11 in the litter but only 10 made it. They are about 5 weeks old here. We will get our puppy at 8 weeks!

Our puppy! He is yet to be named. Any suggestions? He is the runt of the family!

Greg and the puppy!
The puppy and I! I just can't wait to get him. He is so cute.

T.O.

Our time in Toronto is quickly happening. Each day brings new activities and timeless memories. In the last two days we have gone to the Science Centre, Hockey Hall of Fame, and CN Tower. The students are having fun, but not really at those events. They do not really do well in museums and tours. They are enjoying the out of rez atmosphere and opportunities. The boys have been pulled toward any store that sells video games, while the girls are sucked into, well, any store. Money is quickly becoming an issue with the students because they are spending it so fast. Today was payday back home, so a number of them were being linked money from worried grand/parents back home.

We have noticed some interesting things this week. It was remarkable for Claire and I to accompany our kids on the bus coming into Toronto. Once we hit Canada's Wonderland, their eyes became dialated, mouths open, and shrieks of excitement. Admist this though, several comments (at least three) were immediately made by some overwhelmed students. Their comments reflect something like, "I want to go home." The tall buildings, thousands of walking pedestrians, and constant noise made a number of our kids quickly wish for the solace of Deer Lake. It probably did not help that we were attempting to drive up Bay St. from the Lakeshore at 4:30 pm.


Amanda, Claire, and I often discuss the troubles in relating our lives in Deer Lake. When we returned at Christmas and March Break we are asked about our experiences. Our stories provide some background information, and our blog provides a somewhat consistent story and pictorial representation of Deer Lake. To truly experience Deer Lake you need to spend a substantial amount of time with the people. As an example an interesting situation took place one night while we were trying to fall asleep this trip. The lights were out, but the kids were talking. One of them asked, "What would you do if you won the lottery?" I provided a variety of things: house, debt, investments, and material things. After a few seconds of silence I returned the question. They responded together by saying, "paved roads." With all that there is in the world, the kids could only dream of having their own paved roads. A place to skateboard, play basketball without the ball hitting random rocks, a path to bike, and something most of us have always taken for granted.



We apologize for the lack of regular blogs, but our hotel at the Delta Chelsea did not have free internet. As well, we were always busy throughout the week to take the time and blog. The rest of our week is now over with the kids having fun at our final events. Unfortunately the bus was having problems and we weren't able to go to paintball. We used the money instead to take everyone to the Hard Rock Cafe. Wonderland on Monday was bitter cold at times, as a rain made everyone damp and chilled. We left the park at 6:00 pm and stopped for dinner at the closest service center. Back on the road by 7:00 we drove straight through to Thunder Bay. The bus driver stopped twice to pick up a coffee for himself. The students were pretty good with almost all falling alseep for some time. We arrived in Thunder Bay at 1:00 pm and are enjoying our final afternoon out. Tomorrow is a bright and early with another 9 and a half hours on a school bus to Red Lake.

PS> Tristan has bought another two sets of clothing. Although we are not sure if that includes all articles of clothing!

Toronto Trip-Day One and Two

We started our grade 8 and 9 class trip Toronto and for Greg and I it started at 9:00 am when our plane left Deer Lake. Altogether there were 5 planes with the last one finally coming in at 2:30. Once the students arrived in Red Lake via the plane we all had to wait in the world’s second smallest airport. Our plane arrived at 10:30. The six students, along with another chaperone, were pretty excited to be somewhere new. That feeling lasted for six minutes, as the reality hit home that they would be stuck for another 4 hours. It wasn’t all bad as the airport has a small t..v., which included the Men’s French Open championship game and then was conveniently switched by some random man to the Jay’s game. Have to love when it works out like that. At some point later, another plane arrived dropping of more passengers. Tristan, one of our grade nines came walking to the airport with only the clothes on his back. He decided he did not need to bring clothes or a bag because he was just going to buy everything he needed. We’re thinking about tomorrow’s pair of boxers.

While we were waiting for the last plane to arrive with the final 9 passengers, our Bus pulled up. It was a school bus that had 48 seats. Our group has 45 people with bags. We didn’t think it was going to fit, but everyone was able to nestle in somewhere. We finally left a little after 2:30 pm for a drive to Thunder Bay. With no bathroom on the bus, we made a few too many stops, causing us to fall a little behind schedule. Apparently it is supposed to be a 6 hour drive, but we didn’t pull into our hotel until midnight. The kids were pretty wired, and who wouldn’t blame them after being squished together for over 9 hours. Many groups quickly ordered pizza, while others walked to either the Shopper’s Drug Mart or Metro. Claire’s group decided for the former, while mine went for the latter. It was pretty cool to be back in a grocery store. Growing up I always loved going with my mom on Saturday mornings and helping pick that week’s menu (the $0.49 chocolate bar had nothing to do with it). Anyways, when my grouped walked in they went directly for the……….prepaid card tower. You read that right. Not the candy or junk food aisle, but the station where they could buy prepaid phone cards and itunes cards. Some were already missing home.

Along the way we saw/experienced some pretty cool things. Quickly off to the side of the road we passed a moose grazing. My reaction was, “Oh wow, a moose!” The students’ reaction was, “What! It’s just a moose.” Later, we passed by a farm that had cattle grazing. The students’ reaction was, “Oh wow, a cow!” Our reaction was, “What! It’s just a cow.” In all we passed by 8 moose and another one dead on the side of the road. At first, and in the daylight, they were pretty cool to see, but as the sun started going down, we were all feeling a little more nervous when someone yelled “Moose!” I couldn’t imagine anyone surviving an accident with one of those.

Last night we ended up in Sudbury. We drove on the bus from 7am -8pm. It was a long ride but the students were excellent. They slept a lot, watched movies and played cards.

Yesterday was our anniversary, and although spending our anniversary with 43 other people isn't the ideal, it was alright. Everyone said "Happy Anniversary" and they even pitched in to get us so gifts. A few boys bought us a pie, we also received two really nice pillows. It was very sweet of everyone and altogether a good day.

Today we are finally reaching our Toronto destination.

Where the bites aren't from bugs

The seminar has finished and it was pretty good. The school has a common goal to work around. The next step is to build a more structured, consistent approach. Here's hoping it works.

On Sunday we finished at 1:00 and came back to relax. We, as always includes Amanda and Dexter, took a walk around the donut. At around 4:00 Steve, the maintenance man from school, came by and knocked at our door. Claire opened up and Steve said, "Tell Greg we are going." I definitely didn't understand and he informed me that we were going fishing. Not knowing the time line, I was reassured it was only for a couple of hours. Of course, I knew what that meant. So off we went. We picked up his brother in-law and headed out. We went about 5 minutes into a little bay. It had to be the most beautiful scene I have seen this year. And of course being a true Martin, I didn't have a camera. This bay was kind of hidden around a corner, like a true pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. Immediately arriving into this little area I noticed a huge beaver dam and was startled to see three beavers within a stone's throw. *FYI People enjoy beaver as a delicassy, but will not eat them during the spring and summer because they taste different and no one knows why.

We are now set to fish and are looking for Jackfish or Northern Pike. Just to set the stage a little further. When my family goes fishing up at the Hatfield's cottage, catching a pike is rare and extremely difficult. Back to our story. The brother casts out and reels in in 10 seconds. Upon reaching the boat he exclaims, "Oh man, the fish aren't biting today." Steve agrees and wishes that it won't be like this all night. I am looking dumbfounded, like are you kidding me, 10 seconds and we are giving up. So, no word of a lie, the brother casts out and upon the spinner hitting the water, a fish has bitten. He reels it in a catches a 30 inch Northern Pike. It was unbelievable, and then he said, "Oh man, just a small one." Are you kidding me?

Fast forward 25-30 minutes. Steve caught 6, brother in-law 5, and myself 6. I have never fished like that before and only wished my dad could have been there. I caught a fish every 4 minutes, with the smallest being over 30 inches and the largest over 3 feet. Not one of my fish was shorter than my arm. Amazing.

The guys got bored with the pike fishing, I mean who wouldn't with those bad numbers. So we moved to another area to try and catch some walleye. It turned out to be another beautiful bay. This time there was a little waterfall. We caught some more pike, but no walleye or pickerel.

With gas still left in the tank, Steve wanted to show me his net. We checked the 100 feet and grabbed the forty or fifty fish. I got really into it. The one type of fish that was in the net was a suckerfish. People here don't normally eat the fish but apparently the head is pretty good. Steve would just tear the head off, so I had him show me the process. I quickly learned and became like a true fisherman. It was definitely like an episode of Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe. My clothes were covered in fish guts and bloods, which of course Claire loved when I got home because she had just finished the laundry while I was away.

Oh yah, the best part. During our night we caught a 25 pound Trout... picture hopefully to come later. Overall it was an amazing 3 and a half hour experience. It was needed after a couple of off days. Amazing how God sends someone out of nowhere to help in a time like that. Keeps us reminded that we are never alone.

What No One Wants to Hear

Today was the beginning of another long weekend. I know, again right? This is our second long weekend in a row. The school shuts down for goose hunting. A lot of families go camping, so the community is pretty dead. Claire and I went to the store today to buy some groceries and we were walking out when a man came up to me and said, "Thanks!" I didn't quite get him so I looked to Claire and she had the same look on her face. The guy then said, "I like all the money I am getting for fixing the school's vehicle." So, yes. The mechanic said thanks for all the business I have sent his way. Well, that just made me feel extra special. Needless to say, everyone got a pretty good laugh when Claire was telling them.

This weekend we have a two day workshop at school for behaviour strategies. Two people, a man and a woman, flew in from Winnipeg to run the seminar. They seemed pretty nice, but the woman doesn't exactly fit. She stepped off the plane with clothes that were too nice and more makeup than Deer Lake has ever seen. Claire and I picked them up from the airport and brought them to the school.

On Wednesday this past week the Community had a big clean. All over the community groups were given a set area to clean. Each class had their own path. The grade 7 and 8s were paired together. Most of the groups ended at the intersection where community members were cooking on barbeque and open fire. Hamburgers and hot dogs were given to the older kids. On the fire there were two cast iron pans that had to be at least 2 feet in diameter. They were frying bannock dogs and fish. Overall it was a pretty good day.

A day at the Deer Lake Range

This weekend we have really enjoyed the long weekend off. Our last day of school was on Wednesday and we don't go back until Tuesday. Greg and I have relaxed, walked to town, played Wii, planned our trip out East, cleaned and just hung out. It has been really nice. However, today we had the opportunity to go out and try something new.

There is a man in the community who invited us to go and shoot guns. Of course we choose the day that is rainy, but that wasn't going to stop us. He took us out towards the dam to fire off the guns.

He brought both a shot gun and a rifle. Greg and Amanda shot both guns, but I only shot the shot gun. I didn't like the kick back, but he also ran out of bullets. Enjoy a few pictures of our adventure.

This is the lake we stopped at to shoot over. He wanted us to shoot over something open because we are inexperienced and he didn't want our bullets bouncing off things.

Me learning to shoot a shot gun!

Apparently I make really funny faces when I shoot guns. It was really loud!
Amanda looks like a pro with that shot gun. You can see the smoke from it going off!

Amanda with a rifle. Apparently a rifle bullet can travel up to a mile, that is what the man who took us told us.

Greg with the shot gun.

Greg firing the rifle.

Treaty Day!

Today was Treaty Day in Deer Lake. This is when they celebrate the signing of their Treaty and every registered First Nations person in Deer Lake gets $5.00. Indian Affairs sends people from Ottawa with security guards to hand out the money. It is really quite a neat experience. Chief and Council asked the school to put on some activities. So a the teachers paired up and did some activities and this allowed the people to spend their $5.00 and more, with all proceeds going to the Grade 8 and 9 trip. We made $1800.00 today!

Amanda did face painting and did an awesome job! Greg and I, along with Preston ran the food table. Preston was the Chairman of the board and the person who drove us from the airport the first time. He is an amazing guy and a good cook. After high school he went to Culinary School at Centennial College. We sold pop, juice, hamburgers, hotdogs and more. We had to make 3 runs to the store to get more change and food because we kept running out. It was a long, hot day in the sun with the temperature being 30+ with a blast of humidity. Needless to say we both got burned today.

On another note we were looking really forward to going to the dam after our long day at school to go unwind and put our feet in the water. We went to the store and got some ice cream and munchies to enjoy. After we went to the store we began to drive to the dam. To get to the dam you have to go on a road behind the airport with nothing on it and it is not a high traffic area. We were travelling on the road for about 10-15 minutes (with nothing around) when all of a sudden our vehicle shuts itself off. We were within 2 minutes to the dam. We tried to figure out how to get the vehicle to start but it wouldn't so we had to walk down the road all the way back to the main road (a 10-15 minute drive away).

We made light of the situation, joking how we wouldn't need our nightly walk tonight. It was still very hot out. Oh yah and we had Dexter with us too. We started off and he was so excited because he was out on a nice little walk. He had no clue what he was in for. Today had been my first day wearing thong sandals of the year and for the women out there you know the first day always hurts your feet. So, although I like walking my feet were killing and I just couldn't handle these sandals anymore, so I started off our walk barefoot. My feet started hurting so my night in shining armour came to my rescue and graciously offered me his shoes. So picture the three of us walking down this remote road... Amanda has her dress hiked up (she had shorts underneath), I took off my shirt (I had a tank top underneath) with clown feet because I am wearing Greg's shoes and Greg is walking down the road in his sock feet. It was quite the experience. We walked for 1/2 hour before anyone came along and then they went to get us help and NAPS showed up to rescue us 15 minutes later. So our relaxing trip to the dam turned into a 45 minute death march.

Enjoy the pictures below from Treaty Day.

One of the activities at school was a Mock Jail. Greg and I both got put in there. Greg for 5 minutes and me 3 minutes. A mock jail is a fundraiser where you cant pay for someone to sit in jail, $1/min.

Greg looks really happy for being in jail, probably because it meant being away from his duties at the barbeque.

One of our grade 9's, Kasenda, with Preston's son Nathaniel.

Preston and Greg with some of our grade 9 helpers.

A few of our students!

Our neighbour's son, getting his arm painted.

This is where everyone got their money. The line was huge, out the gym, down the hall and around the corner.

A little history behind the day. When the Treaty was signed 101 years ago, all First Nation people registered with Deer Lake Band received $5. RCMP officers would arrive and hand out the money. The good thing about the money is that if you don't collect for whatever reason, they carry the money to the next year. Some people were collecting $20 or $25 because they have either saved it or been busy.

Part of the line to go get people's money. There is still a long line behind me.

Some of our grade 8 boys.

Amanda and one of her masterpieces. On a side note this is one of the sweetest boys in Deer Lake. He is always so friendly to us, making sure he says hi.

More examples of Amanda's handy work.

One of the games.... Bobbing For Anything From The Northern That Floats. Right here they are bobbing for tubes and rice krispie treats. They ran out of apples, so they had to improvise.