BAKER LAKE - A special constable who died on duty 56 years ago will finally be honoured by the RCMP, said his granddaughter.

RCMP Special Const. Andrew Ooyoumut was only 37 when he drowned in 1954 while harvesting fish for police dogs. He will be recognized by the RCMP next year. - photo courtesy of Joe Scottie

Special Const. Andrew Ooyoumut of Baker Lake was only 37 when he drowned in 1954 while harvesting fish for police dogs. He had eight years of service with the RCMP.

Ooyoumut's granddaughter, Deborah Kigjugalik Webster, said Chief Supt. Steve McVarnock, the commanding officer of the RCMP V Division, recently informed her of the decision to honour her grandfather at the RCMP's Regina depot next September. Included in the ceremony is the inscription of Ooyoumut's name on the cenotaph, memorial wall plaque and honour roll book.

"It's been over 56 years now since Ooyoumut died and he has been entitled to that honour for all that time and we're really looking forward to it," she said. "I had cried with joy for that because my grandfather died while serving the RCMP and Canadians and he was entitled to be honoured properly, just as other RCMP members were. Our family is thrilled."

Ooyoumut started working with the RCMP in 1946 as a hunter, guide and interpreter, according to information provided by Webster. She added he also had to operate a fish camp as part of his duties, where he would tend fish nets, harvesting fish for dog food. In the spring of 1954, he died doing that duty.

Webster's information also states the death certificate did not mention whether her grandfather was on duty at the time of this death, a point that would be debated over the years.

"The recent information provided concerning (Special Const.) Ooyoumut's death met the revised national criteria for inclusion," Chief Supt. McVarnock stated via e-mail.

Webster said the family was also seeking financial compensation. They never received Ooyoumut's pension, as he had not finished the paperwork.

"I know the family suffered for not having that money," she said. "McVarnock told me Ooyoumut will get the honour but they will not be giving the pension. He said he was not designated for pension purposes."

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