KIVALLIQ

An international bestselling American author is the latest to speak in support of a former Nunavut outfitter.

International bestselling author Alan Weisman has made a number of trips into the wilderness with suspended Nunavut outfitter Tundra Tom Faess. - photo courtesy of Alan Weisman

Alan Weisman of Cummington, Mass., wrote The World Without Us, which was published in 34 languages.

It was Time Magazine's Nonfiction Book of the Year in 2007 and spent 26 weeks on the New York Times Bestsellers List.

Two national publications named it the Best Book of the Year in Canada.

For the portion of the book set in Canada, Weisman said he is deeply indebted to wilderness outfitter (Tundra) Tom Faess, who expertly guided him to key spots in Nunavut and the NWT.

Faess had his licence revoked this past year due to customer complaints and is still awaiting the outcome of his appeal to Nunavut Economic Development and Transportation Minister (ED&T) Peter Taptuna.

Weisman said in his experiences with Faess, he was a terrific tour guide who always did his best to accommodate his clients.

He said Faess ran a solid operation and was an expert in many valuable areas.

"Tom was an expert in finding animals for us to see, which was part of the mission," said Weisman.

"During one trip, two of the guests were a tremendous photographer named Galen Rowell and his wife, Barbara, and they were both instrumented-rated pilots.

"We got into some weather situations where they commented on what a terrific pilot Tom was and how confident they felt flying with him."

Weisman said on another Faess trip, one of the guests was a former Microsoft executive who is one of the richest people on Earth.

"He said Faess was exceptionally good with the famous guest, knowing how to be diplomatic, yet relaxed at the same time.

"Tom is best at being himself: a guy who's from a family of guides and who has been guiding for 30 years.

"He was incredibly good at what he did, both at the personal and professional level."

Weisman said when he needed extra research, Faess would fly him and his photographer to places he didn't often take tourists.

He said Faess's knowledge of the area was exceptional, even when asked for very specific things.

"I wanted to see the gravesite of an explorer who's famous in Thelon history and Tom knew exactly where to go.

"I needed to talk to some Dene and when he took me to Lutsel K'e, it was incredible how he was welcomed there and how many people knew him so well.

"The local people were obviously very fond of him and respected him, and his presence opened the doors for me to interview some really significant people."

Weisman said people who work with Faess know he travels with a satellite phone for emergencies.

He said due to the high cost of satellite calls, clients would be charged if they wanted to use it.

"There had recently been a death in my family, and Tom found out I was still in a mourning situation from the photographer.

"He came to me quietly and told me the satellite phone was mine whenever I wanted to call my wife.

"I took advantage of that and I was very, very grateful for his thoughtfulness."

Weisman said the weather turned unexpectedly bad on the day his party was scheduled to leave the Thelon area with Faess.

He said the weather was far more severe than what forecasts had predicted.

"Tom took enormous precautions the night before, including covering the plane's wings, and they all turned out to be absolutely necessary.

"He got us out of there safely and I was just extremely impressed by him."

Weisman said he never saw a single instance of Faess cutting a corner at the expense of his party's safety.

If anything, he said, it was the exact opposite.

"Safety was foremost with Tom at all times, in any situation.

"I've corresponded with a lot of former clients of his and he was not just respected by people who went out with him and had a great wilderness experience, but by numerous professional writers, journalists and photographers at the top of their professions.

"Their combined impression is that Tom is one of the best.

"I can't say enough about how good he was and how much we knew we were in good hands."

A spokesperson for ED&T said Faess's appeal is running its course and the department can offer no further comment until after the minister's decision is made.

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