Heartbreak and loss
Kaludjak family appreciates support in dealing with tragedy
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Wednesday,February 1, 2017
RANKIN INLET
The Kaludjak family appreciates the support they've received following the loss of three family members in a tragic accident on Jan. 21, Noel Kaludjak said this past week in Rankin Inlet.
Patrick Kaludjak, one of three family members who lost their lives on Jan. 21, is pictured during happy times showing his Nunavut colours while attending a Jets game in Winnipeg about two years ago.
- NNSL file photo |
Patrick (Mikilaaq) Kaludjak, 55, James Makpa Kaludjak, 42, and Billy Kaludjak, 33, perished when the Bombardier they were using on a cargo run to Arviat from Rankin went through the ice at Sandy Point near Whale Cove.
A fourth person, Corey Panika, 27, managed to make it to the surface and ride a Ski-Doo the Bombardier was towing to Whale Cove.
Panika tried CPR on Patrick before riding to Whale, but could not revive him.
On Jan. 24, members of the RCMP underwater recovery team attended the scene of the tragedy and, with the help of volunteers from Whale and Rankin, managed to recover a second body.
Noel, Patrick's brother, said the family appreciates the prayers sent to them, as well as the emotional and financial support.
He said the support has been non-stop from the Kivalliq, as well as Cambridge Bay and Iqaluit.
"My wife, Michelle, received a message from Cambridge Bay that they were going to do something, as well as Iqaluit, and I'm sure there's other communities doing the same type of thing," said Noel.
"I've been getting kind words sent to the
family from across Canada.
"I have friends all over because so many people know me from here and there, so I've been getting messages from here and there... pretty much everywhere."
Noel said it's still difficult to think straight.
He said many people are feeling for his family, and that means a lot to everyone.
"You have to keep going, no matter how hard it is.
"What happened has not shaken my faith as a Christian.
"Nothing ever will because it's impossible."
As difficult as it's been, Noel has been trying to stay busy by getting out and around town, visiting his workplace, and just being around people to help him get through this.
Noel said he's been trying to focus on normal worries to help keep his mind from obsessing on the accident.
He said he's just trying to live as normally as he can because life must go on.
"If I just sit around, my mind wanders and I start thinking, thinking, thinking... so I'm trying to think about other things.
"I try to remember the words of our elders; of my parents, to support each other, try not to think too much, and, even with hardships, life goes on, so you have to overcome hardships.
"I try to think about where they are right now - they're in heaven, not on this Earth - and that's a comfort you get from being a Christian.
"One of the deepest things the elders say is we overcome hardships. That's how we're here today!"
