Palituq's moment of truth occurred almost two years ago.

On July 16 he and others were in boats on the open water between the shore in front of the community and the deteriorating ice off shore, ready to move a snowmobile from the ice to shore. The man driving the snowmobile was trying to manoeuvre it across the rotting ice and water to where the boats were.

"He was skipping across water holes and skipping from ice to ice," recalled Palituq. "I guess he misjudged one of the holes and went in.

"When we first saw him sinking there was two other boats with me. We were going through a narrow crack. Because I was the first one, alone in front, I was trying to get to the ice, but the propeller was hitting ice and spinning. It seemed like it took forever for the boat to get to the ice."

When he got close enough, Palituq, jumped out and started running toward the man.

"Go for it, Levi, get him!," he recalled one of the others in the boats urging.

But Palituq faced the same treacherous cracks and holes that captured the man in the water.

"I had my boots on but they got too heavy, so I took them off. I ran about 100 feet barefoot, jumping into the water and pulling myself out again.

"When I got there I could see his cap and his parka fur trim. He was still, no movement, just bubbles all around him. When I shouted his name he didn't reply, so I knew he was unconscious."

Palituq had with him a piece of driftwood he used as a paddle. He tried to reach the man with it but it was too short.

"I thought to myself I'm going to have to go in, and I did. I dove in, head first.

"I tried to pull him up at least twice, but he was too heavy. He had bib pants over his parka, with the ankles tied, so I guess they got filled with water.

Palituq estimated he was in the bone-chilling water for about five minutes.

"When I started sinking with him, I knew I had no choice but to let go and try to save myself."

Asked if he had thought about the danger he had been in while trying to rescue the man, Palituq said, "No, I didn't have anything to think about.

"I just did it, because that's what I would expect anyone else to do for me. I'm supposed to help my fellow man."