COLD SNAPS

Let’s go through COVID news first. 

Do you hear that? It’s the sound of children across the territories letting out a sigh of relief as Santa Claus is officially designated as an essential worker. The NWT announced this week that Ol' Saint Nick has been granted a self-isolation exemption on Christmas Eve, although he’ll still have to wear a mask while delivering presents. This comes after Yukon and Nunavut officials announced earlier this month that he’s welcome as well. But if you’re worried about how Santa can safely deliver presents during the pandemic, don’t fret: he and all his reindeers and elves have received special training via Zoom to prepare. (CBC)

The Northwest Territories offered more good news this week: students who are required to travel beyond the border for training and education will have their return stays at isolation centres covered by the NWT government if they can’t isolate somewhere else. This is an important clarification as the rules around who will or will not have their isolation centre bill covered are quickly changing. (Cabin Radio)

In Nunavut, there’s been both good and tragic news in relation to the virus. This past weekend, Nunavut reported its first COVID-related deaths: one a resident of Arviat and another from Rankin Inlet. It’s a time of grieving for the families of those who’ve passed and for Nunavummiut more broadly. But thankfully, on Tuesday, Nunatsiaq News reported that the territory’s active cases had fallen to single digits. Nunavut now has nine cases, all in Arviat. “The hard work done by Arviammiut cannot go unrecognized,” Dr. Michael Patterson, Nunavut’s chief public health officer, said in a news release. (Nunatsiaq News, Nunatsiaq News) 

In non-COVID news, a 2016 Yukon find is making headlines again. Years ago, an almost perfectly preserved, 57,000-year-old wolf pup was found. It’s the most complete mummified grey wolf from this time period ever found, to the point that even the pup’s internal organs were intact. Researchers can discern amazing details, like how and when the pup died (at just seven weeks, the pup died instantly when its den collapsed) to its last meal (a surprising serving of fish). The wolf isn’t just scientifically significant, however, but culturally so as well. Soon after the pup’s discovery, it was brought to Dawson City for a special blessing ceremony with Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in First Nation Edlers, who also gave the pup a name: Zhùr. The First Nation worked with scientists to make sure Zhùr wouldn’t be treated as just a specimen. The situation has helped improve the relationship between the First Nation and scientists, as well as the government and mining community. "We are connected to this wolf pup," Debbie Nagano, director of heritage for the Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in and a member of First Nation’s wolf clan, said in the CBC article. (CBC, Yahoo! Finance)

While we’re talking about the Yukon, let us introduce you to Whitehorse’s human Zamboni. When Buster Clare’s grandsons complained about the bad quality of skating ice in the community after water floods, Clare remembered his childhood when they used warm water to smooth the ice. After reading a CBC story on a Saskatchewan human Zamboni, Clare was further motivated. He put together a large blue barrel, attached a pipe to it, then put a towel on the back, sitting the contraption on top of a four-wheel cart. Filled with warm water, Clare takes the homemade Zamboni to smooth the ice at the community rink in the early hours of the morning. What better gift to give someone than quality ice to skate on? It’s certainly an act the community is grateful for. (CBC) 

Looking for some northern holiday reading? Up Here has you covered.

To start, take a look at the second runner up of this year’s Sally Manning Award, "The Ugly Little Christmas Tree" by Carol Rose Goldeneagle, a touching story about young girl named Nahanni and her Etsi (the Dene word for “grandmother”) as they discuss the spindly little Christmas tree that stays in Etsi’s garden. (Up Here) 

After that, read from Samia Madwar about a wedding in Tulita, NWT that “became bigger than Christmas” as the community showed up to celebrate. (Up Here)

The North is a special place, and when it comes to the holidays, there are certainly some unique stories to share. Snuggle up in a blanket, get a hot mug of cocoa, and read three stories about the holidays north of 60. (Up Here)

LOOKING BACK

As the year comes to a close, Up Here's editorial staff have searched through the 2020 archives to highlight some of our favourite stories from the year. Below are some of our top picks. This year has certainly been... a time, but in the midst of all the 2020 chaos, we put out some stories we’re truly proud of.

Our associate editor Dana Bowen named “Back From The Dead” by Lori Fox and “Puppet Masters” by Jessica Davey-Quantick as her 2020 picks:

“Back From The Dead'' by Lori Fox digs into Carcross’s Caribou Hotel, a Yukon Historic Site and one of the oldest buildings in the territory’s south lakes region, and its decade of painstaking renovations. The building is now set to once more become the beating heart of the community—although, residents will have to make peace with the many ghosts that are said to occupy it. (Up Here)

In “Puppet Masters,” Jessica Davey-Quantick introduces us to The Bighetty and Bighetty Puppet Show. The Manitoba group of performers (who also happen to be brothers) mix Cree language and culture with a good dose of humour. The show has travelled through many provinces and the group even performed in Yellowknife. But if The Bighetty and Bighetty Puppet Show doesn’t come to your town, don’t worry, as you can always watch their videos online. (Up Here) 

Jacob Boon, our Up Here editor, had a tough time narrowing down his list. He highlighted the stories “First Birthday” by Lianne Marie Leda Charlie, “Picking Up Eagle Feathers” by Lawrence Nayally, “To The North And Back Again” by Asad Chishti, “Our Life, Our Land, Our Voice” by Antoine Mountain and Raymond Yakeleya, and Sally Manning Award winner “Winter In Chesterfield Inlet” by Peter Igupttaq Aututas his 2020 favourites:

“First Birthday” is a touching story from Lianne Marie Leda Charlie that follows her as she and her family travel to complete a Northern Tutchone afterbirth ceremony for her newborn son in Little Salmon Lake, Yukon. (Up Here)

“Picking Up Eagle Feathers” Lawrence Nayally, meanwhile, recounts personal experiences at a healing camp for Dehcho youth, found upriver from Fort Simpson. (Up Here)

“To The North And Back Again” is a powerful exploration of home through the lens of community and place by Asad Chishti. Here, we learn of the author’s multiple northern trips, which culminate in finding that sense of home in the Yukon. (Up Here)

“Our Life, Our Land, Our Voice” is a first-hand recounting of history by Antoine Mountain and Raymond Yakeleya, which explores the birth of the Dene Nation in the Northwest Territories and the many battles and triumphs that inspired a generation. (Up Here)

Finally, in the 2020 Sally Manning Award-winning “Winter In Chesterfield Inlet” from Peter Igupttaq Autut, the comedian and writer shares a story about a childhood hunting trip with his dad that’s “forever engraved” in his memory. (Up Here)

As for me? Well, I'm a big fan of "The Inuit Moons of Saturn" by Jacob Boon. The story explores how an author and an astronomer named five of Saturn's satellites after Inuit legends. (Up Here)

Well, it’s official: COVID is everywhere. It’s reported that 36 people in a Chilean base in Antarctica tested positive for the virus, which means that now there is no continent in the world without cases. Great. (New York Times)

In the wake of that news, check out this new idea from Iceland, called “joyscrolling.” The country’s tourism board set up a whole website that allows people to endlessly scroll through images of waterfalls, Northern Lights, elf houses, and more. (Travel and Leisure) 

Well, Russia is testing its anti-satellite weapon system. But they also have festive Christmas decorations set up! So, you know, ups and downs. (Popular Mechanics, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty)