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QAUSUITTUQ/RESOLUTE
Survivor Gabrielle Pelky, 7, recovering with a broken leg, was released from hospital on Aug. 25, said the girls' uncle Terry Audla. Her sister Cheyenne Eckalook, 6, was killed in the crash.

Gabrielle Pelky, 7, was one of three people who survived the crash of First Air flight 6560 in Resolute. - NNSL file photo

"Cheyenne was very confident and outgoing," said Audla. "She was a very happy girl. She was always with her older sister."

He added the family is doing as best they can and are concentrating on Gabrielle.

Both Eckalook and Pelky attended Qarmartalik School in Resolute last year and principal Jennifer Borden said they were "wonderful girls."

"They were so mature for their age and they were bright and happy little girls," she said.

"We're so thankful Gabrielle is doing so well, but Cheyenne just brightened everybody's day when she came through those doors and all the students really tended to gravitate towards them because they were so outgoing and cheerful."

The school will provide support to students should they want to talk about the tragedy. The girls were not set to attend Qarmartalik this school year.

"We're going to do get well cards for Gabrielle and we're going to do farewell cards and memories in Cheyenne's honour," she said.

"We can't believe it happened but we are trying to cope and continue on and provide that support to the students."

-Jeanne Gagnon

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