There was a slight hope that the project would yet happen, even though the NFB had refused to participate financially. As you may have read in the past blogs, i had decided to invest my own money into the shoot for this summer. All that remained, was for the Geological survey of Canada to give us their approval and to invite me formally to join the expedition.

Sadly, in part due to the fact that NFB was not on board, and for a few other sensible reasons, it was thought best that a camera should not be allowed on site. In light of this, I cannot help but feel greatly disappointed. The project was a truly great and would have been an incredible opportunity to catch a glimpse of the immense work being done up north by the people at the Geological survey and the people of Ulukhaktok.

In closing, i would like to thank Jean Bédard for his undying faith in the project. I wish you another great year of discovery at the top of the world. Thank you Béatrice Collignon and Pamela Stern for taking the time to discuss their experiences with the Inuvialuit. Thank you Arnaud, Mireille Couture and Maryse Legagneur for their support. Thanks you Aude Weber for your insights on the world of documentary film making. Merci Celine Brassard and karine Gravel at Wapikoni Mobile. Thank you to every body around me that have shown their support one way or the other.

The doctor and i had a good discussion about the project and he even took the time to give me his advice on my camera choices before signing the paper. I’m officially physically fit to walk on the edge of the world.

The PostNab show itself was quite interesting and the food in the entrance made my stomach happy. Without going into too many details, there were a couple of stands with companies presenting their gear which i visited attentively. The Luggy bags were nice to look at, as were the Nanuk hard shell carry cases. The Final cut demonstrations were interesting. Nevertheless, i’ve always worked with PC and so, after a quick look, i grabbed some pamphlets and i went downstairs, past the bar, taking a chair in front of the stage to wait for the show to start.

If you would like to know more about PostNab or Final Cut MTL and their activities, i invite you to visit their websites. Mathieu Marano and his collegues do great work!

And so, here i am preparing myself for an adventure that may or may not occur. I have completed the ESS — Volunteer online Application Form and have taken an appointment with a doctor so that he can give me his ‘ok’ for me to work in an isolated region.

I have also reached Marylin Cockney, Land Use Applications Coordinator at Inuvialuit Land Administration and she was very helpful in retrieving my invoice payment and getting the next step in motion. I am expecting news from her in the next few days, as she assured me she would get in touch with the people at Ulukhaktok to get the approval for my filming there this summer. I would then have to pay the fee for the permit.

What was shocking to me, was that she looked at the project submission document and she pointed out the same flaws that Nathalie Cloutier from NFB mentioned no more than an hour ago.

At the time of the writing of the project proposal, my sister was very busy on her own financial support submission. Things would no doubt have turned out very differently, had she been available to give me a hand.

In any case, we looked at the possibility of looking for sponsors and getting a loan at the bank. At this point, i feel i should perhaps take a breather. The day has been a busy one and i feel i should sleep on this. My sister has also given me a template of her sponsor papers she had created on a prior project of hers. It will come in handy, should i choose to go to ‘Plan C’

Nathalie was very down to earth, supportive as she took the time to answer my every question. She pointed out a few of the adjustments that i should make if i intended to submit the project for next year. She also suggested that i get in touch with Johanne Bergeron at ACIC, a service inside the NFB which helps independant film makers. Nathalie also spoke of Isabelle Lavigne and her film ‘La nuit, elles dansent’.

It would have been nice to have had this enlightening conversation weeks ago. I think both groups could have benefited from it. Sadly, there are procedures and no matter the project, it has been decreed that we must all abide by them.

As always, Guillaume is very supportive of my artistic endeavors and has offered to lend me a hand in trying to find some producers or some sponsors for the project. He has sent an email to one of his contacts, who happens to be in the ‘business’.

In any case, the coffee and breakfast hit the spot. I highly recommend people have a look at this nice place. Strangely enough, i can’t find their website.

I’ve also taken the time on this rainy saturday to write to the contacts Arnaud Bouquet had given me via his last email. I have no doubt they will have much to say and perhaps suggest some possible venues i had not thought about.

And there is this email discussion going on today between Béatrice and me, all about this small sculpture owned by Jean. I tend to go with the geological specialist about the origins of the sculpture, but Béatrice has settled doubt in my mind. Albatre or Muskox horn?