A Few Words From Eddie

     Well this trip has been amazing and I'm so glad I got this opportunity. I wasn't sure about the trip at first but the more I heard about it the more I wanted to go.  After having visited Fond du Lac I can honestly say
that I am so happy I was asked to go to Saskachewan. I met so many new people and they all were amazing,  showing us around their town and school.
     We went to the school the first day and met our twins and although they were shy we started talking and got comfortable playing games in their gym. We went to our lodge and for a whole week we were fed some incredible meals by Corine our host and cook.
     We were taken by sled to a cabin where we had a bbq lunch with caribou ribs. It was all delicous and the cabin was really cool!.
     I loved meeting all the people in Fond du Lac. That was my favorite part of this trip. Everyone was nice and friendly and I don't often get to meet new people but I met tons of people on this trip.
We were able to view the northern lights on our last night from the lodge deck.  A perfect ending! Amazing!
     This whole trip has been special for me and for all of us. I didn't know any of the people in our London group when we left but when we returned I had a large family. We all connected and bonded. Now we are all friends.

Goodbye Fond du Lac

Well, it's finally here. April 13th, 2011. It's time to go and leave this wonderful place. But, and I think I say this for everyone when I say, we don't want to leave.

We've had such a great time here and the experience was amazing. This community has been so hospitable and we are so thankful for all that they've done for us.

Thank you so much Fond du Lac. We are so happy that we've been able to come here and enjoy all this beautiful culture.
We can't wait for the FDL kids to come over to London.

See ya
~Natalie

A Few Words from Dan

I will start off by saying that this trip has been amazing. Memories were made, new friendships were created, and most importantly we all had fun doing it. Starting off we had to three planes to get from London to Fond Du Lac. The plane ride to Toronto from London was a little bit awkward for those of us that didn't know each other. But as we took the two other plane rides everybody seemed to bond with each other. And finally we arrived in Fond Du Lac, the scenery here is simply beautiful and I am very sad that we leave tomorrow because I feel as if I could live the rest of my life here, only if all of the other exchange students from Banting stayed as well. This trip would not have been the same without them.

Most of us didn't really know each other that well. To break the ice between everybody, we had many bonding moments while learning from the Dene first nations that live here. We also bonded by having tickle fights, some may say this is nonsense, I call it shenanigans (inside joke). We had movie nights that lasted to one in the morning and although a few people watched the movie, those people I bonded with greatly. When it was too late to watch a movie, another person and I weren't tired so we got up and had a very late night conversation. I bonded with this person greatly and I can say she was my best friend on this trip (you know who you are).

On this trip we learned how to fillet fish, set traps, and even learned to like the taste of caribou ribs, tongue, and brain. This was so much fun some people were even trying brain and tongue, I know I wasn't one of them. But I can say although I didn't try that food, I tried many others.

We even got to go to a Dene church service which was spiritual beyond belief. When walking into the church everyone broke out into song and it was like a blast of air when walking through the church doors. It was simply amazing to the point where some exchange students were teared up. That was an amazing experience where we had the opportunity of learning about the spiritual culture of the Dene people.

This is only one half of our adventure and it was amazing. I hope we have an amazing second half of this adventure when the Fond Du Lac exchange students come to Banting.

Ahmed with His Twin Alex

A Message from Meg {part 2}

Here's to our last full day up north with the Dene people in their community in Saskatchewan.  Here's to the friends that we've made with each other in the house, to tickle fights and giggle-fests, and inside jokes by the dozen.  Here's to the people in Fond-du-lac who have welcomed us with open arms and shown us their culture, welcomed us into their homes, their lives, their school, their church, and showed us every aspect of their life.  We are so lucky to have been given this opportunity, this experience, and these friends.  A great marsi cho to our hosts and to my housemates.  I will miss our breakfasts, late night conversations and all of the laughs we've shared at Haily's Lodge.  Though part one of our adventure is over, part two is just around the corner! We are all so excited for our twins to come to london so that they can see how we live.

Today was a lot of fun at Culture Camp! I ate Caribou brain and tongue.  I never ever believed that I would be able to say that.  It was pretty good too!  And yesterday, we scaled, gutted , and fileted fish!! I know I had scales all in my hair, and all over my clothes.  We all smelled of fish.  Later we played soccer, and the guys and Natalie played really well. I was forced to play for one shift, and yes I did connect with the ball at least four times!!

Today we sewed little purses in the library of the school, and Ms. Day gave helpful hints to Ahmed and I while sewing.  In fact, she saved me many cuts! It has been such fun hanging out with everyone, and though I look forward to the adventures I know we will have in the various planes and with the jokes that will happen, I am very sad to say goodbye to Fond-du-lac and all the people we have met.  London, we shall see you soon!!!

Another Amazing Day Learning From The Elders

Ms. Day and Ms. Grandmont feasting on caribou brains...Yummy....Very similar to liver


The caribou heads slowly roasting over an open fire. The tongue and the brains are considered the "caviar" of the north.


Caribou meat drying in the tent



Taylor enjoying a caribou rib for lunch

A Few Words from Ahmed

This has been one of the best trips I have ever been on! Seriously, can you guys imagine going on a trip where everything that is so unfamiliar to you yet can be found in one spot? Well that's how I feel in Fond du Lac. I mean the great family feeling that is felt throughout the whole community is amazing, the beauty we never notice around us is completely clear to you here, the different activities like sledding, animal trapping, tanning hides and so much more. What I really notice is the hospitality shown by the community as a whole, from the youngest children to the elders, I feel as if all of us have been welcomed as part of one big giant family . While I can clearly see the differences between the society we live in and the society here yet I notice many of the similarities as well. You would think that since Fond du Lac is only 60 miles from the Northwest Territories border and is a fly in only location , that they would be cut off from the rest of the world, but they aren't. All of he kids use the same slang, except for a few words in Dene and a couple of different sayings. All in all, they are all pretty much the same as any other person in Canada. When you separate yourself from your daily routines, like we did on this trip, you really notice all of things you do, say and see. I can't explain how thankful I am for being picked on this one in a lifetime trip.
Thanks a lot to Ms. Day, Ms. Grandmont and Ms. Greenberg for bringing this trip together and giving us this chance. I'm going to miss all of the people I met met here in Fond du Lac, our twins and especially my twin, Alyx . I can't wait to see all of them in London and show them all of the wonderful things about London and Banting. I'm also happy I got to meet Mr. Steele!

Concrete Life

London Ontario-----Fond Du Lac Saskatchewan what’s the difference? One is based around noise and media while the other is based off old traditions and peaceful days. As the sun rises in London the noise grows, as the sun sets in Fond du Lac the land grows more silent. I once asked how far North is North, well not far enough. I feel if I kept going north the more beautiful it would get and the more peaceful I would feel. I am honoured to be here with my youth family. Sherri my roommate has become a dear friend and sister. The other youth in our family include: Ahmed, Dan, Meghan, Sherri, Matt, Jared, Diana, Natalie, Taylor, Eddie, Marissa and I. We've grown so close over the past couple of days and are saddened by the thought of leaving this Northern beauty.

We've spent so much time with each other; meeting the Native people of Fond Du Lac it's been an absolute pleasure to learn their culture and traditions! We've had such a blast. I personally cannot believe that we leave the day after tomorrow. We still have so much to do here. For example, we all went sledding for the first time yesterday, what a treat! It was honestly the coolest thing, I definitely recommend it. The new friends we've made along the way in our journey up North, are incredible! They try so hard to be like people down "south" that they've lost a lot of their heritage and culture. On the other hand the elders of Fond du Lac are so awe inspiring that I would love to come up and teach here! What a pleasure and honour that would be for me! Other activities we've had the opportunity to do are de-scale fish, dry meat, hare snare, beading, make a poster, soccer, musical chairs and a dance. Tomorrow we might even get to snow shoe!  I am absolutely ecstatic! 
                                                                                                    -emma

A Few Words From Taylor

Today we went to a culture camp and some of us made a deer hide purse. We saw how they cook caribou head and Ms. Day and Mr. Steele ate the tongue, they said it was good, I'm not sure I believe them. Matt and I played soccer with the kids we have met at Fond du Lac. We all learned how they make dry meat and how to traditionally smoke the caribou. Mr. Steele and Matt went to see if we got anything in the traps that we had set yesterday which were set for rabbit, muskrat or martin. Later tonight we are going have a large community dinner at school and everyone will be pigging out on the delicious food that they are always preparing for our group. It is our last day here in Fond Du Lac and no one wants to go home!

Smokey

Gotta love that smoke!~

FISH

Those right there, that was made by us. Props to Banting kids for getting dirty!!

Cultural Camp

Kissin' the Jack (aka Northern Pike)

More Excitement at the Cultural Camp

An Elder showing us how to make fried bannock


The kids love Sherri


Diana learns how to gut and filet Northern Pike

A Message from Marissa

My thoughts on Fond du Lac are that it's such a great place to visit and from what the kids here tell me it's a great place to live. I like the fact that the kids here can drive ATV's freely and not be restricted. A couple of things I've learned during my time here include the different ways to prepare and cook fish.  One method I tried out today was to prepare the fish and put it between two pieces of tin foil and place it over the fire. I let it cook for about 20-30 minutes then removed it from the fire. Im looking forward to the activites that are planned tonight. 

Dene Culture Camp

Emma found a new friend



Jared "The Caribou Whisperer"

Sherri With Her Twin Jonell

Matt and His Twin Westley

Dan and His Twin Frank Jr.

Emma and her Twin Shania

Words From Sherri

We had a great night at the Roll In Stones Cafe. Not all of our twins were there, but we still had a great time with the younger and older kids. We sang karaoke, played pool and socialized with everyone. We entered a competition and won great prizes. I'm so excited for the Culture Camp tomorrow but we'll probably all be super exhausted because it's an all day event. I would LOVE to come back in the summer and swim in the lake and enjoy the warm weather. So far I'm having a great time in Fond Du Lac, its very different then what I'm used to, yet very fascinating. :)

Learning the Dene Language

What we learned in Dene..."eddeh"
translated into English is "As If"

A Fun Day for All

More of Our Outdoor Excursion

The gang from our excursion


Is it Ms. Day or wait....is it Wilma Flintsone? What we do know
is that it is a delicious
caribou rib right off the BBQ.

Some Photos of Our Outdoor Excursion

We're getting ready to go out to the cabin for the BBQ with some community members, elders and our hosts.




Natalie was not impressed with the dried muskrat pelts that were soon to be moccasins.

A few Words From Diana

Well, we had quite the eventful afternoon. We just went sledding, on dog sleds.....well, not really sleds pulled by dogs but sleds pulled by snowmobiles. . It took us about fifteen minutes to get to a magical Dene cabin in the forest. Once we were there we had a bbq on an open fire with grilled caribou ribs, steak, hamburgers, hotdogs, salads and hot tea. We also had dried caribou meat cured using a traditional method of salting and dry curing. It is an ancient aboriginal method and it was very good. Everyone in our group enjoyed the fabulous feast that our hosts were so generous to provide.

Once the bbq was over, we had another opportunity to go on the snowmobiles and sleds and ride around the lake. We were driven around on the lake for about an hour or so enjoying the sunshine and beauty of the area.

On our way back to the lodge we saw all kinds of cool things such as rock formations that were in the middle of the frozen lake. The rocks were relatively large and they looked as though they had been formed over a long period of time. The rocks protruded through the ice as if they were deliberately placed on top. Northern Saskatchewan is such a beautiful area!

Finally, this evening we will be participating in karaoke contest and pool tournament at Rollin Stones, a community cafe in Fond du Lac . I am very excited to have more interaction with our twins and the many other people we have been fortunate to have met over the past few days.

Thanks for reading !

- Diana I.

A Message from Meg

Today was time for the Mass at the Church by the waterfront.  Dan, Matt, Natalie, Ms. Tracy, Brian and myself walked down to attend the Mass. As an Anglican, I have been to my fair share of church services (and Brian, who is Catholic, agrees with me) I have never experienced what I just have.  Words can almost not describe the experience of the Church service, but I will do my best.

We were told about the equality that the people in Native communities participate in, but i never expected it to be like this.  There was no choir, and no priest to lead the service, everyone just kind of...sang.  There was a lot of singing, almost chanting.  The vast majority of the service was in Dene, the language that many people speak here, as well as English.  Since we were sitting around the middle of the small church, we were surrounded by a cascade of voices washing all around us, over us, seemingly through us.  You didn't have to be religious, or speak the language to understand the sense of community, and to feel accepted.

There were two little girls sitting behind Natalie, Ms. Tracy and I, who kept going back and forth between where their mother (I think, you can never really be sure who's mother is who because everyone takes care of everyone else's child) was sitting, to directly behind us with another woman.  They kept looking at us, watching us, and when we would smile at them their faces would just light up. 

We feel like superstars as it is,with people taking pictures of us, asking our names, taking pictures with us, asking for hugs, etc, but this is a totally different kind of special.  It is like we were wrapped in their lives, being welcomed into the religious and spiritual part of their lives.  I have never felt so totally accepted by a group, and many of them haven't spoken to us.  There is an unspoken welcoming, and respect that happened while we were sitting in the church that needed no words, that we felt so deep in ourselves there was no ignoring it.

We are going to go out on dogsleds pulled behind snowmobiles later.  It is really cold and windy out, so we are all dressed warmly. I'm excited for the rest of this stay!!

Haily's Lodge

Our Lodge, where we all stay, it's a fantastic place for the kids to relax, eat and sleep...

A Few Words From Matt

The dance we had at the Father Gamache Memorial School was really good, we were like the popular kids in the dance. We went out for a couple of breathers and when we went outside almost the whole dance followed us. The music in the dance was good except for a couple of songs which were from Justin Bieber. The dance in the middle had a couple of games for our twins from London, Ontario and Fond-du-lac, Saskatchewan. There was the box dance, balloon dance, limbo and musical chairs. The games were really fun for both groups, everyone loves that we're here. The whole town is so nice and when they see us walking they pull over and ask if we would like a ride. They are incredibly kind and hospitable people. Looking forward to all the activities planned for today!

Caribou Antlers

Our Happy Travellers at Father Gamache School

A Few Words From Jared

Today our group went to the school to break the ice with the kids. The first day they where so shy that they hardly even said a word. Today was totally different, all the kids opened up and we had a lot of fun, there isn't much difference between us, other than two provinces. I also tried Caribou stew, it was my first time eating Caribou and it was amazing, if it wasn't for me being too full, I would have eaten the whole thing! I am looking forward to learning more about the culture, getting to know the kids better, and eating really good food! This trip is a great experience and an amazing eye opener.

Getting off the Plane

Here we are, getting off the plane in...FOND DU LAC!
Our wonderful cameraman Brian got us coming off of our 34 seater charter plane.

Made it Safely ^.^

WE'VE ARRIVED!
Banting has officially gone across Canada and made it to Fond du Lac Saskatchewan.


London to Toronto was short and loud
Toronto to Saskatoon, long and quiet-the time to sleep for some of us and the time to socialize for others. Some watched movies while others read and some just wanted to talk.
Once we hit Saskatoon, it was lunch time. Most just got some Timmies, I know I did,

Then, out of Saskatoon we took a bus to a terminal where we took a 34 seat plane where there was LOTS of turbulance...with...one lunch casualty :P

Once we got here, we went to Haily's Lodge, where we met our hostess and the principal of the school we're exchanging with. We got to meet our "twins" and got to mingle with the students of  the school.

With everything from talking, to laughing, to eating, to yes even dancing, we certainly had an eventful day.

I would just like to say, I am tired. And, I can't wait to see what they have in store for us tonight after dinner!~

Our Newest Photo

Our last photo taken today at Banting before we all meet again bright and early at 6am at the London airport. There was a lot of excitement in the school halls today as I saw our Fond du Lac crew share their last minute details regarding packing etc.
We will be flying to Toronto with a short stopover, then on to Saskatoon and finally a two hour charter flight into Fond du Lac. We will be arriving mid afternoon and the students will finally meet their twins whom they have been corresponding with for the last few weeks. The activities planned look fantastic so stayed tuned....Ms Day

How far North is.... North

How far North is .... North?

I've been given the opportunity to be an ambassador for my school, as we travel up North to beautiful Fond du Lac Saskatchewan. It makes me wonder how far north, north really is.  If you've never heard of Fond du Lac. when you're looking on the map set your eyes on the boarder of the Northwest Territories and move your finger south by a centimeter. And there you have where I will be spending the next week.

Fond-du-lac is a settlement located in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. Situated on the east side of Lake Athabasca it is a remote fly-in community. The current population is less than 700 inhabitants, mainly of Dene and Métis descent.

Founded as a community over 150 years ago, by native peoples in pursuit of furs, fishing, hunting and trapping the community has seen little changes. Many in the community can trace their ancestral roots of the area to the early 19th century. "Living off the land" is still a way of life in Fond-du-lac.

The main enterprise today in Fond-du-lac is working in the mineral and other resource extraction business. Others follow a tradition of fishing, hunting, and trapping as well as provide guiding services to the many fishing camps in the area.                        

This exchange program will encourage stronger relationships between the teens from the Reservation and those from the City of London. I am excited to finally meet my "twin" we have been  corresponding with  each other via facebook. I am thrilled to learn more about her Native culture. Some of the activities they have planned for us include: snow shoe races, fishing, hunting, dry meat making, trap setting, rabbit snaring and how to make caribou hide.

A week after we return, we will host our new friends here in the 'South' We are planning some amazing events including Niagara Falls, a pig roast, dining at Stadtlanders where we will participate in a service project. 

                                                     -Emma 

A way to keep in touch

http://emmapuddicombe.blogspot.com/2011/04/how-far-north-is-north.html

Check this out, another way to keep in touch with us as we travel up North!

4 DAYS TO GO!!!!

Okay~
So who's stoked for this trip yet. It is Sunday April 3rd and we leave on friday. That's monday, tuesday, wednesday and thursday to pack. That's count'em 4 days!

I know, I cannot stop jumping around at telling people left, right and center about this :P

SO!

~COMMENT HERE AND TELL US WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT HAVING ONLY 4 DAYS~

CARIBOU

as wanted by Ms. Day~
One Caribou pic ^^

Our Awesome Group

The excitement builds with our first media shot

Our fearless leaders......Ms. Day and Ms Grandmont

Thank goodness we have Natalie to keep us all up to date with our social networking!

Pre Trip Meeting

Here are a couple photos of the group looking very relaxed....Right Matt???

First Post

Hey guys,
sorry for the very uninteresting title. I just figured that this post can be edited later and just wanted to see what things looked like.



So, if you guys have any ideas for later posts or anything like that, just look up the facebook group that we made for the trip~
Banting Takes Saskatchewan Facebook Page

tata for now~
-Natalie