Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Chesterfield Inlet (Jan 17/00) - A tragic accident out on the land has claimed the life of a 64-year-old Chesterfield Inlet elder.

Morris Kukkiak left Chesterfield Inlet during the early morning hours of Monday, Jan. 10, for a day of seal hunting.

When Kukkiak failed to return to the hamlet later that day, the Rankin Inlet detachment of the RCMP was contacted.

Sgt. Mark Hennigar, who is in charge of the Rankin detachment, immediately contracted a Skyward Aviation plane and two members left Rankin to join the search for Kukkiak.

Const. Brock Linaker and Const. Dave Doerkson also made the trip to Chesterfield.

The hunter's equipment was found by the Chesterfield Search and Rescue team on Tuesday, Jan. 11, about 20 kilometres northeast of Chesterfield Inlet on the floe edge of Hudson Bay.

On Wednesday, Jan. 12, Kukkiak's body was found when residents of Chesterfield Inlet returned to the scene at about 10 a.m. that morning.

The residents found his frozen body in the sea ice, which was not initially visible to searchers.

Linaker said Kukkiak was dressed well for his sealing trip, but wasn't carrying much gear because of his planned early return.

"We found Mr. Kukkiak's snowmachine, his qamutik and a home-made boat," said Linaker.

"The biggest indicator Mr. Kukkiak fell in was that there was no evidence of him leaving the scene.

"His equipment was found at the floe edge and there were no tracks found leaving the sight.

"It was evident he had been walking around the boat.

"It looked like he had pulled the boat up on shore, then walked back towards the boat and disappeared."

Born on Feb. 4, 1935, Kukkiak was widely regarded as one of the most experienced hunters in Chesterfield Inlet.

"We were told in Chesterfield that's what Mr. Kukkiak lived for, to be out on the land hunting and fishing," said Linaker.

"The elements definitely played a big part in this because the day he left was the coldest day of the winter.

"No matter how experienced you are, tragedies can still happen."