Heading to the Far Far North!

My long underwear and thermal socks are packed! First thing tomorrow morning, I head to Nunavik. The Kativik School Board has invited me to visit four Inuit communities: Kangiqsualujjuaq, Kuujjuaq, Povungnitukand Akulivik. My new book, The Middle of Everywhere, is set in Kangiqsualujjuaq, so it's especially exciting that my tour is starting there. In fact, we're planning a Nunavik book launch!

The trip will end in Akulivik, where Montreal photographer Thomas Kneubuhler joins me. Together, we'll be working with students from Ecole Tukisiniarvik on the Quebec Roots project.

I'll be sure to take pictures and post them when I'm home. And I'll also try to do a couple of blog entries during the trip.

Can you tell how excited I am? 

I was in Nunavik in 2007 -- that's when I fell under the spell of the landscape and the Inuit who live there. Maybe I have some "Inuk" blood because like me, the Inuit are very straightforward and they like a good joke. It's funny to travel so far and then when you get there, to feel so at home. 

So for those of you who are finishing up the semester, I wish you a good couple of weeks. I'll be gone till December 11th, but check this space for updates. And send your comments or fill me in on what you're up to -- wherever you are!