There aren't many people who can say they get to kayak to work every day. But that's exactly how Bryan Nahrgang commutes to the Canadian Red Cross satellite office in Moose Cree First Nation. It takes Bryan an hour to get to the office from his home in Moosonee -- a 30-minute walk to the water and then 30 minutes by kayak.
Bryan started working for the Red Cross on June 10 as a Community Service Coordinator, working in first aid and disaster management. Since he's started, he's helped recruit nine disaster response volunteers who will receive their first training this month. Another 10 signed up to be volunteers during the recent Gathering of Our People community festival.
In July he responded to the first-ever call for Red Cross personal disaster assistance in the area when a house fire left a family of seven homeless. (He actually got to this emergency by kayak!)
He is also helping to bring first aid to the community and has provided training to a class of eight people, with plans for more in the future.
"The Canadian Red Cross is a tremendous organization and the programs we have need to be utilized and accessible in these northern communities where we have such extremes in weather and isolation," he said.
This Red Cross satellite office will support communities along the James Bay coast including, Fort Albany, Kashechewan, Attawapiskat and Peawanuck.
Prior to being hired with the Red Cross, Bryan worked in Moosonee running a literacy program for two years; before that he was a supply teacher in the community. He moved to Moosonee from Kitchener in 2006.
He plans to keep kayaking to work until the water starts to freeze up. Then he'll be able to drive in on the ice road or take his snow mobile.