Our last day in Norman Wells, NWT… We started off the day with breakfast downtown Norman Wells, with such a large group we were able to split up and support two local restaurants!
Off to meet with Imperial Oil (ESSO) Operations Superintendant. We were shown how they support the local community with local hiring initiatives, student work experience programs as well as donations and sponsorships. We learned about some of the challeneges the town will soon face with the elimination of gas supplied.
Next stop… a local raising chickens pigs and growing potatoes… yes potatoes in the NWT. Some of our group planted potatoes today! He utilizes a piece of land around the air strip that is not currently being actively used, of course the return for using the land is eggs and potatoes, a great expense in Norman Wells where a dozen eggs sells for $7 dollars and a bag of potatoes is over $20 dollars. A great initiative and benefit for the community.
We say good bye to Canoe North… what fantatstic hosts we had, one we will not soon forget, some of us are considering a return visit to experience the north in a Canoe.
On another plane off to Yellowknife, the adventure continues.
Tonight we walked over to City Hall and had a BBQ with the deputy Mayor and serveral councillors. Great group, many initiatives on energy efficiency and reducing the carbon footprint.