Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services

Rankin Inlet (Aug 22/01) - The mercury might not climb to 40 C and the humidex stays within breathable range, but that's not to say that it doesn't get HOT in the Kivalliq region in the summer.

Let's just say that Nunavummiut are familiar with shorts, tank-tops and the occasional dip into nearby ponds and lakes.

Case in point -- almost the entire hamlet of Repulse Bay headed out at the beginning of August to the old water lake to cool off from the scorching 24-hour sun.

"It was nice. We went swimming two days in a row," said John Kaufmann, the manager of the local Co-op.

"There was still snow on the bank, but the water was quite warm once you got in," he said.

Even though scores of folks were gathered to cool off, Kaufmann said the cook-outs that usually take place under such circumstances were postponed because of the heat.

"It was just too hot to eat," said Kaufmann.

Not to hot for ice cream, though. Kaufmann said the Co-op's ice cream sales skyrocketed with the warm weather.

Former Coral Harbour resident Albert Netser is finding it to be a little hotter in Rankin Inlet than back at home. He said he turns to cold liquids like pop and water to lower his body temperature, but what makes him especially fortunate is that his summer job comes with access to an air-conditioned truck.

"I don't roll down the windows so the hot air won't get in," laughed Netser.

He spent much of the first week in August ferrying elders around town, many of whom were thankful for the respite from the beating sun.

In land-locked Baker Lake, the hot weather brought the bugs out in full force. Lucy Ikuutaq said she would have been happy to send the pesky stingers, express post, to anyone desiring their company.

She's able to escape their constant blood-sucking presence by hopping on her ATV. A solution that also helps cool her down.

"We go for a drive on the boat or the Honda and if we're lucky, there's still ice and you can go driving by it on the shoreline," said Ikuutaq.

"Some people take cold showers or hot showers or sit in front of a fan and do nothing, but I go out on the Honda. It's cooler and faster and more fun."