Welcome to Cambridge Bay where the sunrise and sunset is giving the land and people the most beautiful scene each morning and afternoon.

When everyone is going to work and school you can see the sunrise in colours of orange, pink and purple. It sure makes the day seeing the sun, after all the darkness comes early in the afternoon as winter is here now.

We have had lots of snow and days of cold and warm weather, so when we get warm days it gets a little slippery with hidden ice under fresh snow, so watch out when walking or driving.

We see lots of rabbits running and hopping around, they especially like running away when kids see them. Not too many people hunt for rabbits in our area for the fur, but in the Western Arctic they do.

I remember having rabbit stew at my Nanaks at Reindeer Station, right Kane? There are a number of small herds of muskox roaming around on the land, and for a long time, they grazed across by the tower, making it a nice opportunity for a photograph.

The ice and ponds, river and lakes have pretty well frozen over, but when talking with some friends visiting one day they said there was open water along the shore during full moon.

For a couple of weeks I was visiting Arviat with some friends and they have much warmer weather compared to Cambridge Bay. I wish to say big hello and hugs to the Karetak families, mutnaluapik for good hospitality and good food.

During my visit, I had an opportunity to see a polar bear. Have not seen one since I was a child. The community had to keep a watchful eye out for polar bears as they would come close to town.

Inuktitut is heard everywhere you go from little children to adults, very fluent in their language which was so beautiful to see and hear.

The most interesting fun experience I had was listening to Arviakpaluq, the local radio station. They play good old music from the good ol' days and brings back memories of when we were all young, sometimes it makes you wanna dance like the good ol' days. People phone in with messages, for sale items, activities etc. And all the DJs speak in Inuktitut and little bit of English.

Many of the Inuit residents were able to access HAP homes through the Housing Corporation, half the town is HAP homes which is very nice to see. Some communities have some good luck accessing government programs like HAP homes. The community of Arviat is only 100 - 200 miles from the Manitoba border. People needing medical treatment go to Winnipeg where there is also a boarding home for Kivalliqmiut patients and their escorts. For us in the Kitikmeot we are referred to Yellowknife and Edmonton.

Their atigiit are made different with matching ski pants. Mutna to everyone for showing me kindness and their smiles. God Bless and see you all again someday.

The well-being of your people in the communities is so important making sure people are well and healthy and happy. Cambridge Bay has its ups and downs. Living in a small isolated community today makes it difficult when at times there is problems with outside influences causing social hardships amongst our people.

In the old days we didn't see any problems such as alcohol and drug problems. The Hamlet Council's Wellness & Social Programs Committee held a public meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009 at the Luke Novoligak Community Hall with both young and middle aged residents attending. The meeting had an interpreter services in Innuinaqtut which was very important for our Elders who attended, approximately 60 were present for this meeting.

The Wellness staff and Director Marie Ingram and committee members Jessie Lyall, Sharon Ehaloak, Les Beasley, Amanda Hanson, Jaida Ohokannoak presented an overview of the many programs offered at the Wellness Centre, we also had a look at the RCMP statistics from each month with Staff Sergeant Charlie Gauthier in attendance. It was really encouraging to see a number of youth there also, they even participated in group discussions which was awesome! To name some were: Danika Kaosoni, Tina Maksagak and staff member Demetra Panaktak.

Some topics and concerns were discussed using focus questions: 1) What does a healthy community look like, sound like and feel like? 2) What can individuals and/or the community do to deal with any existing drug and alcohol problems? 3) How can we promote culture, language and sense of purpose so that people feel good about themselves? 4) How can we as a community support families to choose a healthy lifestyle? 5)Youth make up half of the population of Cambridge Bay, how can we promote a healthy lifestyle for them? 6) What do you think are the root causes of the problems here in Cambridge Bay?

Everyone broke into discussion groups choosing one of the questions offered. Some concerns raised were: the urgent need to help the homeless in our community - alcohol related issues, shelter restrictions, protection, not getting proper rest if working also, stressful, tired, wondering where you will eat and sleep next; the need to recognize a long time resident Alice Isnor for her commitment and dedication to the people of Cambridge Bay and the North, and what passion and love she has for her job and people. The need for more healing camps with both youth and Elder working together at schools; the need to assist and support more those who are going through the court and justice system - such as referring more cases to the local justice committees less severe crimes instead of waiting lists to see the lawyers and have their cases dealt in the court system. The need for an alcohol committee for Cambridge Bay similar to other communities in Nunavut and the north. Also the need to get our Elders involved more in the day to day problems we encounter, getting them on committees, having Elders at school and workplace knowing the traditional ways of healing.

Today alcohol does get in the way of our daily lives and when it does, it sure hurts us and our families and community and especially our dear beloved kids.

Long ago there was no such thing as homelessness, addictions (only tobacco), depression, etc. But we need to take control of our addictions and other hardships and to be happy and healthy.

Suicide is also a rising concern in Nunavut. God bless all those who have gone before us, let us be strong and survive all this.

Look after yourselves, don't be shy or scared or ashamed to ask for help or to talk with someone. Let us support one another and work hard to make our community of Cambridge Bay a healthy place to live.

Cambridge Bay is such a beautiful community with all the people that live there, without each other we would be so lost and pitiful.

Take care and God Bless. Good luck on your healing journey everyone and we can do it. Let us show the world we can do it.

God Be With You My Son, we miss you so much.