Describe what you saw in the video of TOKTOYUTUK.

What was it about the town that left an impression with you?

What are some of the challenges the people must face being citizens of the town?

What are some of the reasons why there will suddenly be a highway connecting Canada to Russia?

What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of having a highway like this on the Arctic Circle?

What do YOU think about it?

What are some of the things you found interesting about the people you saw on the video?

What are some things which you would consider doing in a town like that?

What kind of facilities do you think a town like that would need?

1. In the video Toktoyuktuk, I saw a small city of eight hundred which is in an isolated location. The video goes into detail about a road that leads to Toktoyuktuk, which has been in construction for four years. This road will bring many good opportunities and resources to Canadians, including the residents of Toktoyuktuk.
2. The town’s isolation and resilience left an impression on me. It is a reminder that when presented with obstacles, people will adapt.  It also showed me the opportunistic nature of people in that they can take whatever is happening and make it work.
3. Challenges the people face being citizens of the town include isolation from the rest of the world, and very cold weather conditions. Isolation from the world can reduce their access to food and other materials, as well as access to hospitals. The weather can cause hypothermia if one does not dress for it.
4. The sudden appearance of a connection between Canada and Russia will occur because of the necessity of international trade. If that occurs, trucks from Russia and China can reach the North American continent with ease. That can drive down transport costs, and provide people living in that area with more access to consumer goods.
5. I think it’s a good display of the good that globalization can cause. Globalization, or shrinkage of world scale through technological advances, can be seen in the connection of even the most isolated of places to the world market. Also, this new highway will open new living areas, should people want to accommodate our planet’s overpopulation.
6. I thought it was interesting that a member of a small town of 800 made a living off of tourism. She made money through giving tours, and then taking tourists to her house to sample the food of her culture. I find it very interesting and it looks like a pleasant profession.
7. In such a town, I would first go to the lady who gives tours. Upon completing the tour and eating some of the food, I would then explore the stores and services available. After that, I would try to count how many things from our day-to-day lives aren’t necessary for survival as much as we think.
8. A town like that needs water, heat, gasoline, electricity, and plumbing, among other things. The water and plumbing can be connected through pipes, but then heating would be needed as well to keep the pipes from freezing in the cold. Fuel would be a problem because people drive around in cars or snowmobiles and need something to power them. Electric energy would seem like the best source for them.