Dog gone good job
'Uncle Bob' sends camera gift following 2009
dog attack
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, April 9, 2014
ARVIAT
It's been almost five years since then nineyearold Michael Emiktowt Illnik stayed calm in the face of a vicious dog attack, and went to get help for his friend, Ethan (Blu) Tassiuk, in Arviat.
Ethan (Blu) Tassiuk, left, puts his arm around his good friend, Michael Emiktowt Illnik, who went for help when Tassiuk was being attacked by a dog in April of 2009. - photo courtesy Evano Aggark Jr. |
Illnik was presented with the Commissioner's Award for Bravery by Nunavut Commissioner Edna Elias in 2012 for his actions.
That dramatic day on April 26, 2009, was remembered this past week during an assembly at Qitiqliq Middle School, after wellknown Nunavut youth benefactor Bob (Uncle Bob) Carveth found out about Illnik's actions.
Illnik was presented with a Panasonic FZ 200 camera, courtesy of Uncle Bob, during the gathering.
Carveth said he learned of the story while researching old news items.
He said once he read the story, he knew he had to do something to recognize Illnik's actions.
"This brave young guy stepped forward and put his own life at risk to help a friend who was desperately needing assistance," said Carveth.
"From what I hear, Michael was even smaller than the boy being attacked."
The school was able to have Uncle Bob take part in the ceremony by utilizing the speaker on an iPhone and the school's public address system.
Carveth delivered his greetings in Inuktitut, introducing himself and telling Illnik how impressed he was by what he did to save Tassiuk from the dog attack.
Carveth also donated a video camera to Tassiuk, 15, in recognition of all his work with the Arviat Film Society, and the great job he did in producing an antibullying video.
"I don't know if they understood it all because of my heavy Australian accent, but the students did clap at the end of my speech," said Carveth.
"This is the first time I've put a camera in at ground level, and I hope Ethan and his friends use it to make great movies.
"I just sent a bundle of craft items to Levi Angmak Elementary School, which, basically, wraps up my work in Arviat.
"I will be moving off to other project areas now."
Ethan's mom, Laura Tassiuk, helped organize the assembly at the school.
She said she's very proud of her son, Ethan, and his accomplishments, and is proud of, and grateful to, Michael for his actions on that day.
"That dog was bigger than both the boys," said Laura.
"Michael could have only thought about helping himself in that situation, but he choose to get help and save Ethan.
"It could have been a lot worse than what it was.
"I really appreciate Uncle Bob doing this, and everything else he does up here, and I enjoy talking with him because he's a nice man who enjoys helping others."
