The clock radio by my motel room bed woke me up with the news that the cold spell would continue for at least another week. The radio announcer's pleasant voice casually announced that the temperature in High Level was currently -45 degrees Celsius. I got out of bed and scratched a peephole in the frost on the inside of my window. In the darkness I could only make out a couple of cars parked but still running, encircled in white clouds of exhaust.

Joanne picked me up later that morning to drive 75 km north of High Level to Meander River. It was bright and still and crystal dear with cold. Tall white-capped pine trees lined each side of the road. The highway looked like a bob-sled run with the snow banked up high on each shoulder.

I mentioned to Joanne how much Klaus and Susan seem to enjoy the adventure of living in the North. I asked her if she shares their feeling and she said, "Yes I do. I like to live my life with a sense of adventure. That's why I love the North. I have a real feeling of joy and hope about my life here. It gives me freedom and adventure, and solitude too - all the things that I need."

It is Joanne's responsibility to travel out and provide support and training to literacy programs in Meander River and Assumption as well as High Level. She drives over 400 km a week in all kinds of weather.

"I'm sure glad that Peter Gzowski and CBC Radio are available in the North," Joanne laughed. "If I didn't have Peter and Morningside to make me feel I'm part of the whole picture as a Canadian I don't know what I'd do. I always plan my trips on the road so that I can listen to Peter. He keeps me aware of the international, social and political communities and the artistic community which is very dear to my heart. I have an outstanding bookstore in Calgary that lets me have a running account so that I can get all the books I want. Morningside and Sandpiper Books - that's all I need."

We arrived ahead of schedule so decided to tour around a bit. Meander River is a Dene Tha' Indian Reserve. Joanne told me that Dene Tha' means 'The People'. There are about 400 Native people living on the reserve. We drove down a hill past a little white Catholic Church to a picturesque bridge that crosses the Meander River. Joanne stopped the car; we were both quieted by the peacefulness and the sun sparkling on the ice on the river.

We drove back to the Meander River Basic Education Centre, a trailer that houses the literacy and adult upgrading program. Joanne introduced me to ALEX COURTOREILLE and ROGER YATSALLIES, two paid tutors with the literacy program. Roger made Joanne a cup of coffee while Alex and I found a quiet room at the back of the trailer where we could talk more privately.

Alex is a Native man in his late 40's who was born in Meander River. He attended the residential school for 4 years then moved to southern Alberta where he received the rest of his education. He came back to Meander River as a young man in his 20's. He worked for the Hudson's Bay Company ("but I didn't like it because of what they did to my people"). He did odd jobs with Forestry whenever he could get the work but soon he started having problems with alcohol. Alex told me of his struggle to "put his life straight again" and is grateful to the people at Fairview College for believing in him and giving him a chance.