Into the North

              A symbol of Inuvik is its unique Roman Catholic Church, designed to resemble an igloo by Father Adam, the Oblate priest in charge there. Inside, his artistic ability is further displayed in the stained glass windows and copper work around the altar. Between the windows are the Stations of the Cross, painted by a local Eskimo artist, Mona Thrasher. Father Adam carves in wood but at Christmas he turns to ice-carving, which is featured on cards from Inuvik. An interesting side trip for Mrs. Matheson and me was flying over the Mackenzie Delta, with its myriads of islands and channels, to Aklavik. No wonder Alexander Mackenzie was uncertain which channel to take. Our pilot, Tom Gordon, was the first licensed Eskimo pilot, His sister, who was returning from the NCWr Convention, accompanied us and kindly acted as our guide in Aklavik. She had arranged by radio to have us welcomed by two smiling young girls and to have coffee waiting for us at the home of Mrs. Robin, the R.C.M.P. Corporal's wife. Here we spent a pleasant half-hour, hearing the girls sing songs which they regularly present on programs from Inuvik Radio Station. It was a thrill to find ourselves in Old Aklavik, walking around the town on board walks. At the Fur Shop we were fascinated by the garments made from Northern furs hanging on the racks, and to see the workers busy with their patterns. Our tour ended at the Anglican All Saints' Church, which was erected in 1939 by donations from the Indians, Eskimos and white people in Aklavik, other Arctic settlements, Canada and England. It is famous for the beauty of its stained glass windows and the oil painting over the Communion Table of 'The Epiphany of the Snows", painted by an Australian artist, Miss Violet Teague. In this painting the Holy Family is portrayed by people in Northern garb, with an R.C.M.P. and the Northern animals close by. Three hangings, designed by the native people, using inlays of northern animal furs and embroidery, completed the furnishing of that Northern Church, a further reminder we were in the Arctic. Outside the church the notice board had announcements in three languages, Loucheux Indian, Eskimo and English. At Fort Providence, Mrs. Matheson and I had the pleasure of attending a W.l. meeting, which was arranged by the President, Mrs. Joe Landry. She had just returned early that morning from the Convention. We enjoyed meeting the W.I. members and seeing their handwork. It was gratifying to see the other convention delegate, another Indian woman, demonstrate a tossed salad which we ate for our lunch, accompanied by bannock and tea. That night my mind wandered back in history as we enjoyed the hospitality of the Craig's in the old Hudson Bay Factor House, and visited the Hudson Bay Store, where we saw shelves piled high and deep with canned goods and other necessities, enough to last till spring break-up. At Yellowknife, Mrs. D. D. WooJgar, an artist in crafts, took us on a tour of Old Yellowknife, where we saw the Old Stoppe, the first hotel, and visited some Indian homes. The tour also took us to the sites of the three gold mines and around the new town. This short week in the North gave us an opportunity to see the great need for the FWIC to continue assisting the native women in their desire to better their homes and communities. WHAT OF THE FUTURE? Northern Canada Women's Institutes? Shall we hear associated with this project? first Field Worker, who carried the W.r. story North the establishment of a Territorial Home Economics 19

What is ahead for the from those who have been Mrs. Wm. Hough, the - "Early I recommended