This summer I had an experience that I never imagined would come my way. For two weeks in July I had the marvelous opportunity of visiting the Northwest Territories (NWT). I was the eager guest of Sister Maggie in her cozy rented house on the banks of Hay River for which the town is named. Untouched by the forest fires are wooded areas that surround her home. Maggie is an avid gardener, and her variety of vegetables and bright flower plots attest to her creativity.
Following a smooth flight, Sisters Maggie and Diane who have ministered in the North for decades, met me at the airport. After an enjoyable lunch with Sister Diane, in her Yellowknife apartment, Maggie and I set off for the five-hour drive to Hay River. Along the way, I had my first sight of a bison herd that was resting and grazing on the side of the road. As we drove along the McKenzie Highway, I noticed stark evidence of past fires in the region. Thus began my introduction to the North.
Sister Maggie and Sister Loretta, 11:00 PM, Great Slave Lake, NWT 2023.
During my visit, Maggie, was the perfect hostess and tour guide. Because of our travels, Fort Simpson, Fort Resolution, Fort Smith and Enterprise are no longer just names of which I have heard the Sisters speak. They are localities I visited and was welcomed by people who call these places home. As we travelled around the countryside, I was introduced to black bears and more bison. At one point, a magnificent caribou bounded across the road in front of us. Maggie who was always on the lookout as she drove, was able to stop in time for us to admire all these marvelous creatures as they made their way around or beside us.
The highlight of my trip was spending time with Maggie and accompanying her as she went about her daily ministries. When at home, we sorted bundles of recycling, gardened, played with Ts’udaa, her entertaining cat, or just sat in the back yard and watched the antics of the birds and squirrels.
It was intriguing to look out the window at midnight and be able to enjoy the sight of God’s creation in the natural light of the summer sun not quite set. Unfortunately, because it was never really dark, the famous Northern Lights were not apparent in the night sky.
All too soon, two unforgettable weeks flew past, and it was time to bid farewell to Maggie and head for home. Because of the recent outbreak of a forest fire near Yellowknife, I had to rearrange my flight plans and fly to Yellowknife rather than having Maggie drive me. In Yellowknife, I bid farewell to Sister Diane and Linda and continued my memorable journey homeward.
I am grateful to my community for providing a wonderful opportunity to expand my horizons and visit the Land of the Midnight Sun.
-Sister Loretta Hagen, CSJ
Header image: Unsplash/Alexis Mette; all other images Sister Loretta Hagen.