Kassina Ryder
Northern News Services
Published Monday, July 21, 2008

MITTIMATALIK/POND INLET - The search continues for 48-year-old Boazie Idlout of Pond Inlet.

"It's a bit of a mystery," said RCMP Staff Sgt. Charlie Gauthier. "That's part of the problem, the uncertainty."

Idlout was last seen at his home on the morning of July 10, and his vehicle was later located at his workplace. A police dog was flown in from Iqaluit to conduct a ground search. Empty buildings within the hamlet were also investigated. An aerial search was conducted Tuesday evening, but some areas couldn't be covered due to heavy rain and lightning.

Gauthier said Idlout is believed to be competent while out on the land and further air searches will be conducted.

"From what I understand he would be quite capable of surviving," he said. "He would have the skills, especially at this time of year."

Residents of Pond Inlet have been participating in the search as well. "The community members, they're really well organized," Gauthier said. "They did just a super job; they've been working 24 hours a day."