QIKIQTARJUAQ/BROUGHTON ISLAND
Qikiqtarjuaqmiut came out in force April 6 to stage a welcoming celebration with a feast for travellers Pauloosie Keyooktak, Atamie Qiyuqtag and Peter Kakkie.
The three had become lost on a snowmobile trip leaving March 22 to Pangnirtung and then on to Qikiqtarjuaq, Keyooktak's home community, from Iqaluit. They were eventually found safe late March 31 after 10 days out on the land. The search began March 27 after a call was made to the emergency line at Nunavut Protection Services at about 11:45 p.m. on March 26. The trio was spotted by a Twin Otter search-and-rescue aircraft about 180 km southeast of Iqaluit, near Cape Field Bay.
"It was a massive relief and a joyful night for all of us in the community," stated Qikiqtarjuaq Mayor Mary Killiktee in a news release.
"We are very pleased with the way Qikiqtarjuaqmiut rallied to do whatever they could in order to see this time of distress turn into a time of joy and celebration."
She thanked the RCMP for letting volunteers borrow snow machines to perform searches and said any small damage to the machines because of use during the search will be repaired promptly.
In addition, Killiktee thanked Qikiqtarjuaq search and rescuers who travelled to Pangnirtung to help out, including Jarloo Kooneeliusie and Kevin Audlakiak.
The search covered 12,000 to 15,000 square kilometres over the southeastern portion of Baffin Island.
Kris Mullaly, communications officer for the Department of Community and Government Services, said the men got turned around by the wind on the first day of travel.
"The winds were strong, with blowing snow. That forced them to turn around in the other direction. They ended up going off course," Mullaly said.
The successful search included Nunavut Protection Services, the Canadian Forces and spotters and search and rescue volunteers from Iqaluit, Pangnirtung and Qikiqtarjuaq.
Mullaly said the men used traditional skills to survive on the land.
"They built two iglus, which they used to take shelter. This indicates they were remaining calm, using the best of their skills to remain safe. They had rifles with them, as well. They might have been able to get some small game to sustain themselves. I'm not sure, but they were using their skills," said Mullaly.
The men were not carrying emergency locator devices, GPS units or a satellite telephone.
