Panniqtuuq (Feb 09/04) - Three avalanche survivors believe they have experienced a miracle.

Joopa Sowdloapik, Naitanie Sowdloapik and Jacopee Kakee feel the only reason they are alive to tell their story is because of the people who prayed for their safety.

The three were out commercial fishing at Naulinialvik Lake, near Cape Mercy, about 140 kilometres outside Panniqtuuq when their camp was hit twice by avalanche on Jan. 25.

While the three are thankful to be alive, they are also mourning the loss of a friend. Steven Nowdlak, Joopa's brother, died in the avalanche.

"The support we've received from the community, the territory and even the country has been overwhelming," Joopa said. "It's made this process a lot easier."

"I had a feeling the whole time we were out there, we were being helped by prayer," Kakee added.

For Joopa, the trip to Naulinialvik Lake started out like any other. He has made the same trip several times over the past 10 years.

He explained that he was going to the lake for the start of the Arctic Char commercial fishing season.

It was his brother Steven's first time going to the lake.

"He really wanted to come. He's never been there before," said Joopa.

The brothers left Panniqtuuq on Wednesday morning, Jan. 21, and arrived at the camp by Thursday afternoon. On Friday, the two were joined by their uncles Naitanie and Kakee.

The four men spent Saturday fishing and were sleeping when the avalanche hit.

Tents buried by snow

Joopa said the first avalanche hit at midnight. Joopa and Steven shared one tent, while Naitanie and Kakee shared a second. Both tents were buried in snow.

"I was still up listening to the radio," Joopa said. "My wife was trying to call me and I tried to reach her, but she couldn't hear me."

All of a sudden, Joopa heard a noise that he described as a weak whistle.

"The first thing I thought was, it was an avalanche," he said. "In an instant, our tent was flattened," he said.

The incident caught Kakee by surprise. "I was sleeping and then suddenly our tent collapsed," he said. "I thought the wind just blew it down, but then I realized that I couldn't move," he said.

Kakee was first to free himself

None of the men know exactly how long they were trapped under the snow. Kakee said everything was in slow motion.

He was the first person to dig himself out. After regaining his composure and putting his winter clothes back on, he started looking for the rest of his group.

The search wasn't easy because of the darkness and blizzard conditions.

Kakee was able to dig Naitanie out first because he was the closest.

Finding Joopa and Steven was a little more difficult.

Although Joopa was pinned under the snow, he was able to move his arms. From his position he was able to reach a knife and cut his way to safety.

In the pitch black of night and blowing snow, Kakee spotted the tip of the knife poking through the snow and started digging.

"After I found Joopa, I just started digging thinking that Steven was close by. I don't know how long it took to find Steven."

The two did manage to find Steven, but he wasn't breathing. They tried CPR but were unable to revive him.

Once everyone was found the three men tried to salvage as much equipment as possible. They were able to find a radio and contact an outpost, which contacted the community for help.

Waiting for help

The three men were huddled in a qamutiik waiting for help to arrive when they were hit by a second avalanche.

What little equipment they had was lost again. The second time, both Joopa and Kakee were able to dig themselves out, but they had to search for Naitanie again.

"It was just by luck I found Naitanie," said Joopa. "I stepped on him and we were able to dig him out."

Naitanie was unconscious, but alive.

The second avalanche also buried Steven.

Even after searching the area, the three men were unable to find the body.

When the storm cleared Monday morning, Jan. 26, a rescue helicopter from Iqaluit was sent out to pick up the three men.

"We were glad that the helicopter was coming. It wasn't very joyful because we had to leave without Steven," Joopa said.

They were taken to Baffin Regional Hospital in Iqaluit where they were treated for minor injuries.

"I think it was the prayers of all the people that kept us going," Joopa said.

A memorial service for Steven Nowdlak was held Feb. 1.