Readers will be edified and fascinated by editor andpublisher Toni Graeme's unique collection of essayspertaining to Canada's North entitled Women Who Lived andLoved North of 60.As Graeme mentions in her introduction, "Canada's North haslong held a fascination for many people the world over, mostof whom never ventured there but love to hear and read aboutit."These 36 essays draw fully on the experiences of womencoming from all walks of life who invite us to share theirmemoirs.Moving word pictures depict people, places, events,creatures, expectations and beliefs as witnessed in Canada'sNorthland.Employing the technique of you-are-there scenarios, tinytowns with strange names as Tasiujaq, Aklavik, Povungnituk,and Iqaluit, are illuminated enabling Canada's North to comealive.These candid and unforgettable essays are as various beyondenumeration, however, many of them emphasize that no matterhow harsh the climate may have been or the difficulties theyhad encountered, each woman felt richer for her experience.Every tale constantly brings up the question why would youwant to live in the North where the temperature sometimesdrops to -50Celsius and where you have to endure from timeto time loneliness, long periods without too much sunlight,storms, isolation, and adapting to a foreign culture. Helen Ross who was employed by the Canadian Government inIqualit in human resources development-aboriginal trainingand education best sums it up:"There are those who run to the North to escape. Some fleethe law, the past, relationships or themselves, seekingisolation as a shelter or shield from the world. But youcannot do that here. There is little room to hide. The townsand social circles are too small. You are forced toreconcile with yourself, and, hopefully, be happy with whoand what you are. It forces you to recognize your abilities,strengths (including physical, values and moral convictions)and the responsibilities of adulthood.I have seen many miss that point-Inuit andnon-Inuit-leaving too soon before they have learned some ofthe greater lessons that the tundra has to offer."The essays in themselves may not be exhaustive, however,they do serve as a solid introduction about the North asperceived by women.They certainly are a real treat permitting us to appreciatethe distinct beauty and uniqueness of Canada's north.
What it is like to work & survive in a frequently cold land
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 21 years ago
Women Who Lived and Loved North of 60 by Toni Graeme is a collection of brief yet inspirational and evocative anecdotes drawn from a wide variety of women who call the upper latitudes of Canada home. Describing what it is like to work and survive in a frequently cold land during the twentieth century, and offering unforgettable glimpses into the joys and travails of a simple life, Women Who Lived And Loved North Of 60 is a captivating read , as well as being a unique and highly recommended contribution to personal and academic Women's Studies collections.
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