Richard Gleeson
Northern News Services

NNSL (Jan 11/99) - In RCMP and government databases David Ageak Anaija is a number; the seventh person in the territories since January of 1997 to die of exposure after drinking.

Anaija died Dec. 3. In Cambridge Bay to attend a workshop, he passed out on the way back to his hotel room after leaving a party. Despite the efforts of friends who found him outside, and the RCMP, he could not be revived.

Anaija may be a statistic in databases, but in life he was a beloved brother, husband, son, father and friend. His death is proof that, in winter, a careless mistake can cost anyone their life.

"He didn't drink every weekend," said his wife, Elizabeth. "He drank every six months or so. We were all shocked."

The two had been together for 18 years, since meeting in 1980, and have three children. Elizabeth's reaction to the news of Anaija's death was not unique.

"I thought there was another person by the same name," said Taloyoak mayor Dennis Lyall of hearing news of Anaija's death.

"I couldn't believe it was him. It took about three tries before I realized it was our David Anaija, and then it was such a shock."

Lyall echoed sentiments expressed by Anaija's sister, Denise Constantineau.

"He had been working for the Inuit Broadcasting Society," said Constantineau. "He was committed to the community of Taloyoak. He worked on committees and groups to share his knowledge."

Anaija served, among other things, as a hamlet councillor and was chairman of Taloyoak's search and rescue committee.

At the beginning of the winter he underwent the Canadian Rangers two-week training course.

"He was accepted into the Rangers in November," recalled Elizabeth. "When we had the funeral, I asked the Rangers if they could dress up in their uniforms and be up at the front of the church. They did that, and they carried him out.

"He always jammed around and sang songs with his friends who play in a band in Taloyoak," said Elizabeth.

"For the funeral, I asked one of his friends (Robert Quqqiaq) to sing this one song that David always sang. When Robert started singing everybody was so emotional, everybody started crying."

Constantineau said her brother was most at home on the land.

"One of David's passions was going out on the land to provide for his family, relatives and friends, as well as others in the community who needed country food."

"He was really supportive," said Elizabeth. "He was a good provider, and whenever he would go out hunting he would share what he got with elders."

Lyall pointed to the one positive perspective to view Anaija's death -- as a lesson that could save other lives.

"It was a very unfortunate and a very unnecessary death," said Lyall. "I hope that people who do drink learn from this, that they don't go wandering outside, whether it be winter or summer."