Two weeks ago I had the opportunity to find out what it takes to Roast Coffee Beans. Being able to Roasting Coffee Beans in the north is a rare trade. Mira Hall is one of only a hand full in the Northwest Territories and Yukon that have the trade. At this point it doesn’t look like anyone in Nunavut is doing it.

Most of us enjoy a good cup of coffee in the morning, whether it is from home, Tim Horton’s or one the downtown coffee shop; but we don’t often think about where the coffee comes from or how it ends up as the hot liquid in our cups. Importing coffee beans from around the world is only one step in the process and we’ll cover it in another part of this series. In this video post (Part 1) Mira explains the process of roasting the coffee beans in the roaster and how she does it. She talks about how the beans are kept fresh after being roasted and how soothing roasting beans can be.

Part 2 & 3 will be the actual roasting of the beans and a look at where the beans come from. Leave your feedback below.

If you haven’t heard already Shane Koyczan who wrote and performed the poem “We Are More” at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony was born in Yellowknife and has become an overnight sensation. If you want to know more about where Shane will be check out his Tour Group on Facebook.

From Nick Patch, THE CANADIAN PRESS:

VANCOUVER, B.C. – As Shane Koyczan stood obscured behind a curtain atop B.C. Place’s centre stage on Friday, only then did it hit him.

The opening ceremonies. The Olympics. The billions of people who were about to listen to him deliver his poem, “We Are More,” while preaching from a platform raised high in the air.

“I was, like, ‘You either go for it, or jump.”‘

Born to a French mother and a father of First Nations heritage, Koyczan grew up in Yellowknife, where he was raised by his grandparents.

He first began writing as a way to deal with his social awkwardness.

“Not knowing how to speak to people, I decided it might be best to go home and write some prepared speeches,” he recalled.

“Because somebody would ask me a question like, ‘How’s it going?’ Which I realize now is a very benign question, but at the time, it was: ‘Oh my god. I can’t believe this person just talked to me.’

“So I’d go home and write prepared speeches so when people would be like, ‘How’s it going?’ I’d be like, ‘Cheese is my favourite food and I’ll tell you why.”‘

Koyczan said the poem is about what he loves about Canada and Canadian people, and what he hopes for his country.

The genial, soft-spoken 34-year-old said he arrived in Vancouver a week before the speech and said that he managed several hours sleep – in total – over those seven nights.

And he wrestled with the idea of performing, not simply because of nerves. He has serious misgivings about the current Canadian government, specifically with the decision to cut arts programs.

“It was a moment I can’t even define in my life right now. I think I still need to process it. It was an absolute honour to be a part of it.”

If you missed his performance you can watch it below.

His performance reminds me of the old Molson Canadian “I am Canadian” commercial but with much much more passion.

It was brought to my attention that a piece of the oldest rock in the world is now in Yellowknife. Mark Brown, a northern prospector, has been working for the past year to claim a plot of land along Acasta River where he found the worlds oldest rock. This Acasta River Gneiss dates back 3,962,000,000 years and is one of the most common rocks in the world.

Mark graciously donated some of the rock to the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Museum for everyone to enjoy and learn from years down the road. To learn more about how he and his team are making out with their adventure, they put together a very well done short documentary on Youtube.

Over the past year or so the blogging community here in Yellowknife has gotten bigger. Many of us actually meet on a semi regular monthly basis. That is why when one of us gets recognition in the local paper, it is always nice to see.

Jason is one if Yellowknife’s best bloggers, but I have yet to get a blogger profile from him, which is my fault. He has been recently writing a lot about the Uganda’s “Kill the Gays” Bill. To read the article in Wednesday’s Yellowknifer featuring his blog follow this link.

As Christmas is only 2 days away I decided to finally post up the photos of Christmas Lights around Yellowknife. There were some amazing displays to see and if you take a drive this evening I’m sure you’ll see them as well. Last week was the judging of the City if Yellowknife Lights Competition although I’m not actually sure of the results. Let me know if you spot the winners and runner ups. Enjoy. Best viewed with Christmas music in the background.

This house was extra special. If you can see the poster in the window it says “Tune into 107.1FM 1 -10″. On that frequency they had none stop Christmas music playing. The nice things was we were able to drive fairly far away from this location and still get reception, which was pleasant.

This is the house I believe won the Lights Competition, and why wouldn’t it. This house is decked out. If you’d like to see it, it is in Bromley Court.

So what do you think, are you in the Christmasy mood now? I’m currently sitting down for the eventing typing this up while listing to Michael Buble’s Christmas album and watching my cat play under the Christmas tree. What do you do to get into the Christmas Mood?

There will be an official book launch for Bren Kolson’s Myth of the Barrens from 7-9pm at the Yellowknife Book Cellar on December 17, 2009

Myth of the Barrens is a 320 page book which included photographs, poetry, the main text, letters and sketches by Bren Kolson. The diary formatted book was written from an aboriginal women’s point of view. It depicts life on the barren lands in remote regions of the Western Northwest Territories from 1975 through 1977. Ms. Kolson lived with a Dene elder and non-aboriginal man who trapped barren land animals. The book covers the daily survival and living experiences from fall to winter season as well as northern skills. Skills like drying meat, tanning hides and helping construct caribou hide tents.

Unfortunately I will not be able to attend the book launch, although I do look forward to reading the book. All through myself I have had trouble reading books but when it came to northern fiction, I was hooked. I have read about Mike Krutko’s Amazing Adventures in Fort Macpherson to Denison’s Ice Road to Great Bear Lake.

Copies of the book will be available at the Book Cellar.

Yesterday I took a stroll down to the Salvation Army where I found 250 students all lined up. They were lined up from the front door of the Army all the way up the hill into the gym of St. Pats High School. They made a human chain in order to deliver the 25 hamper the school had gathered and put together. The hampers I then distibuted to local families in need over the holidays.

I have put together this video which show a little more of what was going on, as well as some photos.

You can see all the photos on Flickr.

What happens when a local film production team and the King of the Snow get together? Well you end up with an awesome Documentary. Triumph of the Chill will be premiering this Friday.

Collective9 is a local Film/Media company comprised of a large variety of people that all contribute in the awesomeness. They are also the folks that brought you Ciest to Lie. Check out this early preview that was released last March.

The Snow King is not only a local, but international celebrity. He and his festival have become a annual tradition for tourists and locals a like. So come March 1, 2010 everyone should head down to Yellowknife bay to enjoy the winter.

From NACC:

Far above the 60th parallel in Canada’s great white North, there exists a magical kingdom made entirely out of snow and ice. Every year in Yellowknife, just as the temperature starts to climb out of its -30 slumber, the SnowKing and his legion of loyal “sno-ldiers” create one of the world’s coolest experiences.

So because I know you can’t wait that long to enjoy the Snow King’s Winter Festival you should definitely check out the premier of Triumph of the Chill. Here is what you need to know.

• Where: NACC, Sir John High School.
• When: Friday, November 27, 2009.
• Time: 8pm, go early to get a good seat.
• Price: Free, Donations will be accepted.

Copies of the documentary will be available for purchase at the showing.  Triumph of the Chill is a COLLECTIVE9 Shakedown. Directed, shot and edited by Jay Bulckaert. Produced by the Snowking’s Annual Winter Festival.

By: DEANNA CLARK

Toledo native and women’s rights activist Arlene Nichols Haché is about to receive the Order of Canada.

Haché is being recognized in Ottawa on Nov. 5 for her work with battered and homeless women in Yellowknife, N. W. T. She has been named a member of the Order by Governor General Michaelle Jean.

“My greatest accomplishment is not straying too far from the challenges I once faced myself,” Haché said in a telephone interview with The Recorder and Times on Tuesday.

She left home at the age of 19 distraught and disillusioned. She would eventually hitchhike to Yellowknife where she would remain homeless until someone took her in.

“We’re here to help our peers,” said Haché of why she has dedicated her life to others less fortunate.

“I was struggling with trauma from a stressful home life,” said Haché of her decision to head north using only her thumb.

She said she faced many challenges for several years, including depression and thoughts of suicide.

“I kinda wandered around thinking I couldn’t really do anything.”

Haché, who grew up in Toledo as one of 13 children, gradually recovered and was convinced by others she could make a difference. She used the word “astounded” to describe her feelings about being nominated by her colleagues.

“I am pretty honoured,” said Haché of receiving the Order.

Since her difficult early years, Haché has become well known for her work with aboriginal women, in particular, although she has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of entire families throughout the region, according to her colleagues and family.

The rest of the article can be found on Recorder.ca here

Yesterday afternoon I had the pleasure of dropping by Dave Brosha’s Studio Open House. I have been a big fan of Dave’s photography for sometime, and was excited to hear a couple of months ago he was planning on opening a studio/gallery. Well that time has come, he is now working out of the studio.

Unfortunately because I myself am no photographer, I was not able to capture any photos of his new studio. Although I can safely say it is an awesome one. As I also did not take any video like I had originally intended, I shall reenact my experience via words.

To the untrained eye you may not notice the sign to Dave Brosha’s studio, so that is why I want to explain it to you. If you know where the Taste of Saigon and Fuego’s restaurants are, then you are more than likely going to be able to find the studio. The door leading up to the studio is situated right in between the two. Upon entering the door you immediately go up a flight of stairs and find yourself in a magnificent hallway. This hallway like the rest of the studio has just been renovated, with hardwood flooring and wall mounted light fixtures. One of the first things you will notice while going down this hallway, which I assume doubles as part of the gallery, is all the photographs that have been framed and are just waiting for someone to take home. There are several doorways off this hallway that lead to the rest of the flat. One door to another gallery area, another to an office and even a waiting room for clients. There is a large open area at the end of the hallway where the magic must happen. If you are ever in the area you should definitely check it out.

It was a pleasure seeing Dave and his studio again. Dave is a magnificent photographer and if you are at all interested in getting some photographs done I would encourage you to give him a call. Everyone that I have spoken to that has ever work with him has nothing but good things to say. You should also check out his website, he has one of the most active photo blogs of the north.

All photos associated with this post from DaveBrosha.com