Nunavut Assembly flies flags at half-mast

Flags at Nunavut’s legislative assembly fly at half-mast Aug. 22 to recognize the 12 who died Aug. 20 in the crash of First Air 6560 in Resolute Bay.The flags will remain at half-mast until Friday, Aug. 26 at sunset. (PHOTO BY CHRIS WINDEYER)

(updated Aug. 23, 10:00 a.m.)

Flags are flying at half-mast in the front of Nunavut’s legislative assembly in Iqaluit, to recognize the 12 who died Aug. 20 in the crash of First Air 6560 in Resolute Bay.

The flag for the hamlet of Resolute Bay — found on the side of the assembly building — is also flying at half-mast.

The flags will remain at half-mast until Friday, Aug. 26 at sunset, said John Quirke, clerk of the Legislative Assembly.

“It has been a sad weekend here in Nunavut and in communities across Canada with the crash of First Air Flight 6560 in Resolute Bay, on Saturday, August 20, 2011,” said Nunavut Premier Eva Aariak Aug. 22.

“Even as we continue to grieve it is important to recognize the tremendous and immediate response that took place on the ground in this small northern hamlet on Saturday afternoon. I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to those who were instrumental in this crisis response:

• the Canadian Forces personnel who were in Resolute Bay for their annual northern exercise were on the scene minutes after it happened and their medical personnel landed, as scheduled, 20 minutes after the crash. Thank you for risking your lives on a regular basis for Canadians and thank you for assisting Nunavut in their time of need, attending to the survivors, transporting them to Qikiqtani General Hospital, and assisting with additional services as required by the investigation team.

• the RCMP have been on the ground leading the investigation and providing forensic identity of those lost in the crash. RCMP officers have the very difficult job of notifying the next of kin of those lost in this plane crash. Thank you, not only for your exemplary response to this incident, but also for the ongoing service you provide to Nunavut. Canadian Rangers, local Search and Rescue, local fire fighters, and other community volunteers from the hamlet of Resolute Bay have been assisting the investigation and response throughout the past three days. Thank you for making yourselves available, even though this tragedy has touched you personally.

• local health centre staff who prepared to receive survivors and assisted in coordinating crisis counseling services.

• Qikiqtani General Hospital staff who activated their response team and received, treated, and took care of the survivors before transferring them to Ottawa
hospitals.

The words “thank you‟ do not adequately reflect the depth of my gratitude towards every person who was instrumental in the response to this terrible incident. I look forward to arriving in Resolute Bay tomorrow when I can personally thank these individuals on the ground for their tremendous efforts and share the grief of the community.”

Kuupik Kleist, the premier of Greenland, also sent a letter of condolence to Aariak.

“My deepest thoughts and compassion goes to the families and the people of Nunavut,” Kleist wrote in a letter obtained by Nunatsiaq News.

Our lands are alike, “haunted by harsh weather conditions, difficult to navigate and difficult to traverse,” he wrote. “To experience that help was so ready and so near, due to a military
exercise, is beyond comprehension. What a miracle that three souls were saved.”

Condolences also came in from Denmark, from the Danish Minister of Defence, Gitte Lillelund Bech, who visited Resolute Bay Aug. 18 with National Defence minister Peter Mackay.

“It saddened me to receive the news about the tragic plane crash near Resolute Bay in Canada on Saturday. I understand that Canadian Forces personnel were among the first to respond to the scene of the crash and provide immediate rescue and emergency services to the downed aircraft. The swift and determined action by these men and women in uniform commands my uttermost respect,” she said Aug. 22. “The tragic accident on Saturday has affected us all. My thoughts are with the victims, their families and friends, as well as with the local communities who have lost well-known neighbours and loved ones.”

Quebec’s minister of aboriginal affairs, Geoff Kelley, in Nunavik for meetings with Makivik Corp., also sent out a statement Aug. 22 in which he expressed his sympathy to all those affected by the Aug. 20 crash.

Inuit organizations also sent out official messages of condolences to the families affected by the crash.

“I want to express my personal and heartfelt condolences for the loss of the families, the people of Resolute Bay, the Nunavut community, and the First Air family,” said Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. president Cathy Towtongie. “At times like this, there are often no words to express our deep sadness, emotion and love. So often, we can only grieve silently and express our sorrow,” said Towtongie. “I want to pass on our love and prayers to everyone touched by this disaster.”

“The Qikiqtani Inuit Association appreciates and acknowledges the support expressed by all Canadians in our time of grief. The community of Resolute Bay is a Qikiqtani community which welcomes people from all over the world so I know the Prime Minister, government officials, researchers, big‐game hunters, militaries from different countries, and others, have been anxious about the tragedy,” said Okalik Eegeesiak, president of the Qikiqtani Inuit Association.

George Echalook, QIA’s vice-president, lost one of his granddaughters in the crash, Eegeesiak said.

“Fortunately, another granddaughter is one of the survivors and is recovering at an Ottawa hospital,” the QIA statement said. “At a time of grief and difficulty, QIA is sending its thoughts and prayers to all the people touched by the devastating disaster.”

The QIA thanked the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Canadian military, the emergency personnel and local crew for their quick response.

“QIA continues to have faith in all the airlines and believes this is a very rare and unfortunate tragedy,” it said.

Mary Simon, president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, said “this tragic event unites us all in sorrow. We must stand together in this time of great sadness to help one another heal.”

Simon also thanked the first responders, including volunteer firefighters, RCMP and members of the armed forces stationed in Resolute Bay for Operation Nanook.