Charlie Hokanak, 58, was found dead of exposure a short distance from his snowmobile nearly 120 kilometres southeast of Kugluktuk. A ground search and rescue team located him at approximately 1 a.m. on Dec. 5.

Hokanak was last seen 80 kilometres southeast of Kugluktuk Nov. 23. He was hunting with a group of people, but departed their company by snowmobile. Though he was dressed for the weather, Hokanak was equipped with only a rifle and a qamutik. He was not travelling with camping gear.

When Hokanak failed to return to his party, the RCMP and the Kugluktuk Search and Rescue Society were notified. They immediately began their search and were joined in their efforts by dozens of community members and military personnel. Extensive air and ground search crews were deployed.

Poor weather hampered their search efforts for most of the mission.

The situation brightened last week when members of the ground search crew picked up Hokanak's snowmobile tracks. By the time they located him however, he had succumbed to exposure. Cpl. Grant St. Germaine of Kugluktuk's RCMP detachment said the community was grief-stricken. Hokanak's death is the second tragedy the community has experienced in less than a week. Dan Harvey died Saturday, Nov. 30 after the vehicle he was driving hit an icy patch and rolled several times on Highway 3 outside of Yellowknife.

"It's pretty bad," said St. Germaine, referring to the community's low spirits. He said a community-wide meeting was scheduled for Friday night, Dec. 6, to give residents the chance to collectively grieve and discuss the matter.

A critical incident stress debriefing for members of the search and rescue committee was also scheduled to take place last week.

"When people clam up, that's when there are problems," said St. Germaine. "This lets us go through the whole thing. Each individual says what they want to say," he said.

Hokanak is survived by a large family in Kugluktuk. He worked as a water truck driver at the hamlet and was a community leader and well-respected figure.

Hokanak was also a decorated member of the Canadian Rangers. He served 17 years with the rangers, and was awarded the Special Service Medal and the Canadian Forces Decoration.

"He was a valued member of the Canadian Rangers and was well respected by his patrol," said Commander of Canadian Forces Northern Area, Col. Norris Pettis, in a press release issued Friday.