From Inuvik back to Yellowknife, then on to a Buffalo Airways plane waiting to whisk us to Listen Up stop #4, Hay River. Apparently, Buffalo Airways is the subject of a reality show called Ice Pilots NWT, which has been on for six seasons though I have never seen it. But it seems a lot of other people have seen it, as there was much excitement “down south” when the news travelled that I was on a plane piloted by Buffalo Joe. These planes are WWII vintage, with interiors to match. Also, in The North one has to schlep oneself to one’s plane.
Every place we’ve been, there has been a favourite hangout. In Norman Wells, it was the Historical Centre, which had friendly staff, a nice wood stove, and tea. In Inuvik it was the Café Gallery on Mackenzie — great healthy lunches. In Hay River, it was She Takes The Cake Café, which not only has an irresistible name, it has great food and coffee, supports local artists, and is a stone’s throw from the school.
Ah, the school. Diamond Jenness Secondary School. The Big Purple School. It was a pale winter day when we were there — it’s even more purple in full sun. Why can’t all schools be so brightly coloured they can be seen from space?
In keeping with the every-place-is-different spirit of the tour, in Hay River we were working with Grade 9 students. So, a little older and a little more experienced, and with a very encouraging music teacher, Tracie Finstad, who also happens to be a trombonist. But it was also a much smaller group — only a half dozen dedicated students. On the other hand, the school has some great resources, and there were enough keyboards and other instruments in the room that the students could work independently on their melodies.
Jacob Barker of CBC came by to cover our visit. Here’s a segment he produced, which he has posted to YouTube:
In between workshop sessions, we went for a hike on the river. Yes, on the river. For indeed it was completely frozen over with thick ice, covered in fresh snow. It was kind of bizarre to be walking in the middle of the wide expanse of the Hay River, with the only footprints besides our own being those of smallish animals. But it was a gorgeous sunny day, and I had my long underwear on.
Also, we went to the Riverview Cinema and saw these guys.
For only the best movies come to Hay River:
Hello!
Photo 2: She Takes The Cake Café
Photo 5: Pedro Marcellino
Photo 8: Dreamworks Animation
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