The pandemic has provided us with a 2020 full of firsts.
Speaking of virtual events, a quick tour around some of the Facebook pages maintained in communities across the North yields even more evidence of their resourcefulness and resilience. Interesting ideas started popping up shortly after the public health emergency was declared and most of us became unwilling shut-ins.
In the Beaufort Delta, Fort McPherson refused to let the annual Peel River Jamboree be snuffed out. Instead, dancers from across the region, nearly 200 from as far as the Yukon, submitted videos of themselves performing the Red River Jig. More than $33,000 was handed out to the participants of the various draws and events, which included, singing, fiddling, doing the Twist to Chubby Checker’s timeless hit, moose and goose calling and traditional mitt-making (with categories for adults and young Northerners). Ninety-three people entered the Rock Your Mocs photo contest.
The Sahtu has also been a steady source of inspiration. In April, a photography contest was held for young people with an iPad as the grand prize. More recently, a virtual sharing circle called “strengthening a safe connection to water” allowed participants to connect with Indigenous knowledge holders. Tulita held a Fire Day festival last weekend, and carefully applied social distancing rules to events like a baseball game, a version of the Amazing Race, a parade and carnival games.
Another first, National Indigenous Peoples Day, celebrated on the summer solstice, June 21, approaches. Normally it’s a time of gatherings all across the NWT but public health restrictions have forced most or all the events that have taken place to be either cancelled or moved online to the extent that they can be.
There are tough times ahead. But one of the side effects of the pandemic forcing so many gatherings online is the fact that the strength NWT residents collect from each other is online for all to see.
With National Indigenous Peoples Day on the horizon, there are reasons to look to better days ahead.