ULUKHAKTOK/HOLMAN
When 15-year-old Kyle Inuktalik left Ulukhaktok with two friends to go duck hunting last spring, he had no idea it was going to be one of the most important days of his life.

Kyle Inuktalik, 16, is being honoured by the Royal Canadian Humane Association next month for his act of bravery last spring. - photo courtesy of Facebook

It was a nice day in June, and Inuktalik and his friends drove a little more than three kilometres out on the sea ice to try their luck.

They stopped when they discovered a wide lead in the ice.

Inuktalik said one of his friends shot a duck, which landed on the other side of the lead. The pair climbed onto their snowmobile to retrieve it and managed to jump the crack, but disaster struck when the boys tried to return.

"They made it, then when they were coming back, they sunk," Inuktalik, who is now 16, said.

Inuktalik ran to the crack and managed to pull both boys out before it was too late.

"I just grabbed their hand and then pulled as hard as I can," he said. "I was shocked.

"I was kinda scared too at the same time."

The snowmobile sank like a stone, Inuktalik said.

"The one who lost their machine was pretty mad," he said.

Inuktalik put one of the boys on the back of his snowmobile and brought him back to town while another hunter transported the other boy.

Inuktalik's mother, Lillian Kanayok, said Inuktalik didn't immediately talk about the incident when he got home.

"I wasn't aware of what was going on. He came and he didn't really say much," Kanayok said. "He didn't say anything until I heard from somebody else, then he said he pulled those boys out of the water. I was pretty shocked and a bit scared and happy that he did that, that he helped the boys."

More than a year later, the Royal Canadian Humane Association is now recognizing Inuktalik for his act of bravery.

He is scheduled to receive a Canada Bravery Award at an awards ceremony in Edmonton in November.

His family is now trying to raise the money to make sure Inuktalik and his mother and father can attend.

Kanayok said First Air has already donated a ticket to the family, which Inuktalik's father will use, and is giving the family a reduced rate on airfare. They are now working on raising ticket money for Inuktalik and Kanayok, as well as hotel and food money for their three-day stay in Edmonton.

Kanayok said the community support has been tremendous. The Ulukhaktok Community Corporation and the hamlet have both given donations, as well as residents.

Artists have donated jewelry and artwork to raise cash and people have been organizing bake sales and other fundraisers, Kanayok said.

One return flight from Ulukhaktok to Edmonton costs more than $3,000, according to First Air. Kanayok said with the community's support, they will make their goal.

"I want to thank all the people that donated and helped out, too," she said.

Rudy Berghuys, national president of the Royal Canadian Humane Association, said Inuktalik's act of bravery is commendable.

"He is a 15-year-old fellow that acted intelligently in saving two of his buddies from the waters of the Arctic Ocean," he said. "Had he not responded, they probably would have drowned and died."

Berghuys said the awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on Nov. 4 where Lt.-Gen. Donald S. Ethell will present Inuktalik with a bronze award commemorating his bravery.

Kanayok said she is grateful Inuktalik was there that day.

"We're very proud of him."

Kanayok said she also believes there is a lesson to be learned from Inuktalik's experience.

"Parents need to talk to their kids about safety," she said.

Anyone looking for more information or to donate can contact Lillian's sister, Janet Kanayok.

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