So I'm listening to a repeated CBC show because they're on strike right now (baa ram you CBC) and I hear them asking people what animal is on the Canadian quarter.At this moment, I perk up and immediately say, well, it's an elk of course. Other people were interviewed and gave answers like deer, moose and even bear. And at the time I'm thinking, these people have been eating too many beets or have been standing too near the tank when pumping gas. Little did I know I was soon to become a horrified hypocrite.
Then came the shocker. People in Labrador were asked the same question and they all gave the same answer: a caribou. What? A Caribou?
So I had to dig through my purse to find a quarter and confirm this. And looking at it, it's completely obvious? So why have I been assuming it was an elk for almost two decades? Because I'm an ignorant nerfherder that's why. If anyone can tell me what a nerfherder is and what movie it's from, you get a cookie. So for those of you who didn't know, or who thought it was a moose or a baby Capibara (the largest rodent in the world by the way), you were so dead wrong.
Why a Caribou? Well, first nations groups like the Inuit depended on them for thousands of years and still do. One thing I want to do before I kick the red bucket next to the Styx is see a Caribou migration. Preferably the George River Caribou herd in Labrador, which is reportedly the largest in the world at 770 000. Kinda gives me shivers just thinking about it. But of course, I would need to travel to Labrador to witness this event and to travel, one needs, what's the right word here, moolah? Dough, nitty-gritty greenbacks?
So until I rip off a bank or find an abandoned bag of money lying in front of my house, I will dream of Caribou jumping a fence and bleating like stinky sheep. So for now, good night.
4 comments:
Yeah, the CBC strike is annoying, eh? The programming is pretty much random and full of technical goofs.
Anyway a nerfherder is an insult from Star Wars... No idea what it means, but apparently Han is scruffy looking one.
Cat - I'm not entirely sure what you mean by the other animals on the quarter. Do you mean those "special edition" quarters?
Dave - *gives Dave a cookie* Yeah, I don't know what it is either but Han is scruffy.
Thanks for the comments guys and stay safe. I hear Katrina is coming your way in the next couple of days.
Among many dreams of places to visit and activities to do in the north, I also want to see a caribou herd. I recently did a trip in Nunavik and learned how easy it is to travel there. And it's not as expensive as I thought it would be. However my time did not permit an excursion to see the caribou. Maybe next time.
This is how to do it:
To visit the George River caribou herd take a short flight from Montreal to Kuujjuaq. It's a short 2 hr flight, not too expensive. From there, fly to Kangiqsualujjuaq . That community is on the George River and will put you close to the herd. Be sure to do some research in advance to find out what time of year will give you the best chance of seeing the herd. There are guides in the town, contact an outfitter. Watch out for polar bears. Goodluck!
Thanks for the info gazing north!
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