Questions & Answers Wk 08
Every week Team GoNorth! answers ten questions related to the module topic from student explorers -- so stay tuned and submit YOUR questions!
This year we are traveling across the Sápmi region with the Sámi people. We have met many Sámi along our journey and have enjoyed every minute of it.
In 2006 during the program: GoNorth! Arctic National Wildlife Refuge 2006 we met many Alaskan Natives.
Have you met any Alaskan Natives yet?
Dominic
Walt Disney Magnet School
6th Grade
Chicago,Iillinois
The dogs are like family to us. They are our very best friends. We know them from the day they are born to the day they pass and we spend almost everyday of their lives with them. We go our on expeditions together, we have incredible experiences with them, we never forget they make this all possible! They mean everything to us! We love'em!
This may not be that important but what do the dogs mean to you? They help you move equipment and they help you through storms so what do they mean to you?
Christopher
Walt disney magnet school
6th Grade
school library
The Polar Huskies see Paul and Mille as the alpha-dogs of the Polar Husky pack and like to work as a team. Dogs, like people, can have a bad day though and be a little fussy. Sometimes the Polar Huskies will act like they do not hear commands, like running faster when asked to slow down, just to show they are a little cranky that day. It would be like you not listening to your parents or your teacher when they ask you to do something. You still respect them, you just might be tired or having a bad day at the moment.
I just have to know did your dogs ever get angry at you
Khimani
Walt Disney Magnet School
6th Grade
Chicago IL
This is impossible to answer. There is just no way we could possibly chose. We love them all and wish we could keep them all forever and ever.
If you can keep one dog forever which one would you take?
Zsipporah
Hancock Park
4th Grade
Hancock Park
The Polar Huskies are all very unique and have strong personalities. We all have different dogs we like to hang out with—or work with—for various reasons. And it tends to be that the older dogs are the ones we become really close with since we have traveled with them for so many years to so many amazing places. There are so many time the Polar Huskies have saved our lives, been our friends, and they are what makes all of this happen. They are simply just amazing animals for which we all have the greatest admiration.
Sometimes you appreciate the shy ones, and sometimes you just want to hear the howl of one of the “crazy” ones. When the terrain gets rough, you look to the strongest pullers, and when the route gets complicated, you turn to the leaders. Each of them has their own strengths and weaknesses—just like people.
No single dog or personality is more unique than another.
Which polar husky has the most unique personality? Why?
Arianna
Hancock Park School
4 Grade
los Angeles
We don't have any reindeer (but we have lots of Polar Huskies).
All the reindeer that we have seen belong to the Sámi reindeer herders who live here in Sápmi.
How many reindeers do you have?
Aerin
Hancock Park
4th Grade
Los angeles
We haven't been attacked, but we have seen polar bears!
Read about our run-ins with Polar Bears back in the Q & A Week 02 Answers!
Did a polar bear attack you before?
Sungkook
Hancock Park Elementary
4th Grade
Hancock Park
Eddy, our answers to your question is more how and why and not who...
Aaron: I learned the art of dog sledding and exploring on my first expedition, Arctic Transect 2004. As an educator, I was part of the group that developed that program. I consider myself to be an educator who will do what I can to keep students from ever having to ask the question, "Why are we studying this?" I want to give students the opportunity to be excited about learning.
Mille: Well, I dreamed being a dog musher traveling in the Arctic since I was a kid! In 1992, I was 19 years old and living in Denmark, preparing to go to veterinary school. It was then that I was invited to volunteer for polar explorer Will Steger at his homestead in Minnesota, taking care of his Polar Huskies for the summer. It was an absolutely amazing experience! I worked hard, looooonng hours moving firewood, rocks, and building materials - you name it - and working in the yard with the dogs early-morning and late-night. I loved every minute of it. That fall, I was invited to take part in a 72-day dogsled expedition from Winnipeg to Yellowknife. My parents were a little nervous, but - as they always have - encouraged me to go, to explore, and to believe that you can do anything you put your mind to. I have never been winter camping before then, but thought, "Why not?!" That's it ... I was hooked.
Paul: It all started when a friend asked me to work at Will Steger's homestead in 1991. Two days after I got there, someone handed me some harnesses and said, "Let's go!" Almost two months later, I mushed a team of Polar Huskies to Yellowknife, NWT on a 72-day expedition.
Who inspired you to be a explorer?
Eddy
Hancock Park Elementary
4th Grade
Los Angles
Lazy isn't a characteristic we see that often with the Polar Huskies.
When not on the trail, this is a toss-up between Baffin and Lipton. Although, we don't know if it is truly 'lazy' or if they have just really mastered the art of 'relaxing'....
The difference between the two is that once in-harness and in front of the sled, Baffin is all business and ready to give 110%. With Lippy it sometimes depends on his mood. He loves to be in his harness and he loves to work, but sometimes it seems as-if he just wants to be along for the ride and let all the other Polar Huskies do all the work. :-)
What dog do you think is the lazies and doesn't get up more.
Zsipporah
Hancock Park
4th Grade
Hancock Park
This is a great question! The short answer is YES.
We have witnessed changes in the Arctic Regions over past expeditions. It is getting more and more difficult to predict the weather and we are seeing an increase in weather that isn't characteristic for the time or region.
There is a great video with an interview with Olav Mathis Eira talking about the changes he has witnessed. Check out the Movie! It is called Reindeer and Ice.
Do you think Global Warming has anything to do with it raining where you are this week?
nadia
CPS WDMS
5 Grade
Chicago, IL USA
