Yumimi Pang
Northern News Services
Published Monday, July 14, 2008

OTTAWA - A Nunavut man drowned while taking a swim in the Ottawa River to celebrate Nunavut Day.

Charlie Amarualik, who was from Iglulik, was with a friend near the Ottawa River on the afternoon of July 9 when he decided to take a swim but sank in the river and drowned.

He was attended to by the police department and fire department and was given CPR. Amarualik, 50, was transported to a hospital in Gatineau, Que., where he was declared dead. The incident is still under investigation.

"He was a good guy and he'll be missed by a lot of people. It's been a tragedy for all of his family as it was so unexpected," said Ottawa resident Cliff Gazee, Amarualik's brother-in-law.

Amarualik was a computer repair expert and had spent a few years working at the legislative assembly in Iqaluit.

His nephew, Richard Amarualik, remembers him as a very smart man and a loving man.

"He showed love to the little ones and he was a friend to everyone," said Richard from his home in Iglulik.

Richard considered Amarualik an older brother and recalled how much Amarualik enjoyed hunting.

The funeral service for Amarualik will be held in Iglulik.