The Reindeer Crossing

THE REINDEER CROSSING

Yup.  You read that right.  Today the Wilson Family joined the throng of people who drove to the halfway point of the ice road between Inuvik and Tuk to watch the 80th Annual Crossing of the Reindeer from their winter feeding grounds to their summer grounds.  This is most definitely an event unique to the north, and one of those things that, while it is happening, you can't believe you are seeing with your own eyes.

I have come to realize that we certainly have had several eye-opening experiences in the last year.  It began with our adventure out here. From the rough Canadian Shield and the dark, cold water of Lake Superior, to the golden-green wheat fields and the grain elevators of the prairies, to the rugged beauty of the Rockies, and finally, the incredible fireweed and rolling mountains of the Dempster Highway, which led us through the Arctic Circle and the end of the road in Inuvik, we Wilsons have lived this part of our country.  There were several times when we had to pinch ourselves because we couldn't believe what we were seeing!  Since our arrival in Tuk, we have had even more amazing adventures.  It was mind-boggling to watch the darkness gradually take over the sky through the fall, until finally the sun didn't rise at all - and we are in the exact opposite position now as the sun tips the scales and continues to shine long past what any person would consider a decent bedtime!  We have learned lessons along the way - water rationing and delivery, how to prepare for a blizzard, dressing for the weather and experiencing extreme Arctic temperatures, living amongst the Inuvaluit culture, adjusting our teaching styles to suit the students here, small town living where everybody knows you and your business, the ice road....the list goes on and on.  Today, we shall add the Reindeer Crossing to our list of adventures.

Here they come!! (Photo courtesy of Krista Cudmore)

The history behind the reindeer crossing has to do with ensuring that the herd crosses the MacKenzie River (named for Bob or Doug...I forget which one. There's a little Canadian humour for you there, ya' hosers!).  According to some articles I read, the herders, dressed in traditional clothing and driving snowmobiles, the modern man's dog sled, round up the reindeer from their wintering grounds on Jimmy Lake and, more or less 'escort'  snowmobile to their calving grounds on Richards Island, familiar landmarks to those in the MacKenzie Delta Region, which is close to Tuk. The herd is made up of about 3,000 reindeer, the only free range reindeer herd in Canada, all of them descendants of the original reindeer that were imported to Canada in 1929 as part of the Canadian Reindeer Project, which was originally launched to keep the Inuvaluit from starving.  Some of you may be confused when I refer to the Inuvaluit people.  Aren't they called Inuit?  Well, the Inuit people live all across Northern Canada, but the Inuvaluit are the western most Canadian Inuit, and believe me, the people of Tuk are proud to be Inuvaluit!

Moving right along folks! (Photo courtesy of Krista Cudmore)

Traditionally, the reindeer cross the MacKenzie River at Swimming Point because well, from what I read, they used to swim across during the summer, or at least that is what was implied.

 Now, they are herded across in early spring.  Every year the locals look forward to the event.  As a matter of fact, there are Arctic tours that come up here in time for the Reindeer Crossing, and people from all over the world pay big money to travel up here to watch this.  We actually saw a truck with a Texas license plate in the parking area today!

It was amazing that we were so close to them! (Thanks Krista)

The last of the herd...around 3000 total. (Photo courtesy of Krista Cudmore)

In order to get to the crossing point, Greg drove the van full of Wilsons plus Pam and Michele, two fellow teachers, up the ice road to Swimming Point, which was marked by two RCMP vans flashing their lights, two Reindeer Crossing signs and some rope to cordon off the road when the herd actually appeared.  There had been a parking lot ploughed out for us and some port-a-potties dropped off, although you'd have to be pretty desperate to want to bare certain parts of your anatomy today!  As I type this afternoon it is currently -28C with windchill, and the wind is really blowing.  This morning it was definitely below -30C and windy, too!  We parked the van and started to explore the area.  There were snowbanks piled up from the ploughing which were perfect vantage points for the crossing.

After a little while, you could see the front lights of the herders' snowmobiles coming along the horizon, and there appeared a big white cloud of snow, which were quite a distance apart.  As the cloud got closer, you could see that it was the reindeer kicking up the snow with their hooves!  If you looked just a little below the snow cloud you could see a mass of antlers bumping up and down.  It was truly amazing!  This year, however, the reindeer did not quite cooperate. They did not cross the road where they were supposed to, more or less moving up the shore of the river, past the far side of the parking lot, but we all got to see them and they will still make it to Richard Island in time for calving season.

While we were waiting for the reindeer to arrive, an Innuvik CBC reporter sent to film the event interviewed Greg and I on camera, asking us all about what we were doing in Tuk and what we thought of being at the event.  It was really cool!  You never know, we may wind up on the local news....or maybe Territorial....or maybe National!!  Or...maybe not.  You never know!

Anyway, this is one of those chance-in-a-lifetime experiences for us and we were extremely happy to have been able to witness this.  Greg took loads of pictures and I will add them for your enjoyment.  The CBC reporter asked us if we were going to have reindeer for supper tonight, and I said, "No way!! We don't want to upset Santa and accidentally eat Vixen or Blitzen, so we're having chicken. We figure that would be safer AND keep us on the nice list!".

After all, you never know.........

P.S.  See below for the link to the CBC news report.  Happy Reading!!

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/tuktoyaktuk-reindeer-crossing-marks-80th-year-1.3014151