The Community

It's been a full week since moving to Slate Falls and life has been a balance between very busy and hard working to down-right lazy. I was somewhat hesitant to head out into the community by myself - some white girl walking around taking pictures might not inspire friendly relationships but FINALLY today Chris and I took a drive around and this is what we saw...

This is the bridge you cross to get to most of the residential housing. There is a GIANT hole on the right if you can see - scary!

The view from the bridge

A big event is happening today - a wedding!

This is the wedding location - they have a giant tent for the event

The view from most people's backyards

This is the teacherage where we live. Chris' principal, Rachel, and her husband (another teacher) Ed, live on the left, we live in the middle and Ed's sister, Ann (ANOTHER teacher) lives on the right.

This is the daycare. It's probably going to close and be moved into the school at some point.

This is the police station

The fire hall

The warehouse

Chris and I at the airport. This is the main boat launch and where the water planes arrive with groceries or general mail deliveries.

This is the hockey rink - it gets a lot of use during the winter time.

This is the Mennonite church. At least one Mennonite family lives here in Slate Falls, but I've only met one woman, her daughter and 2 visiting cousins from the United States. 

This is the band office - the hub of the community.

We can get fresh water from this special water filtration system. It's not always reliable though, so it's recommended you only use the water for cooking.

but it looks pretty clean to me.

This is the school bus that used to take all the children to and from school - until the driver quit.

The sign for Bimaychikamah school where Chris works.

So those are the main things in the community - great views, child care, safety services and fresh water. The band office also has the health centre where another husband-wife team provide medical care. There is a dump about 60km from here, but the locals tell me there's a closer one. That's the next challenge!