Sanikiluaq SAR story has a happy ending

The Government of Nunavut handed out 500 of these Spot satellite GPS messenger devices to communities last year so hunters could signal their distress and searchers would be able to find them more quickly and easily. The recent experience of Sanikiluaq hunter Johnassie Inuktaluk shows they can save lives. (PHOTO FROM FINDMESPOT.COM)

During a time of year where some hunters go off onto the land never to return, a Sanikiluaq man found his way safely home last week.

On Dec. 8, local hunter Johnassie Inuktaluk activated a Spot beacon — one of 500 emergency trackers handed out by the Government of Nunavut in 2010 — about 65 kilometres south of Sanikiluaq, said a Dec. 12 news release from the RCMP.

Starting at 5 p.m. that day, Inuktaluk transmitted “help” signals from the hand-held satellite device at 10-minute intervals until it attracted the attention of GN’s emergency response system.

Teams of search and rescue responders then tried to reach Inuktaluk that evening and again the following morning, but snow and winds forced them to postpone the search.

But late in the afternoon of Dec. 9, a team of four responders located Inuktaluk in good condition.

The experienced hunter and fisherman had encountered mechanical problems with his snowmobile while out on the land.

Members of the Sanilkiluaq RCMP detachment and the community’s search and rescue unit say Inuktaluk’s rescue is a reminder to everyone to be prepared when they go out on the land this winter, especially when travelling alone.

The SAR unit encourages Nunavummiut to travel with survival clothing, gear, food, fuel and communication equipment.

Travellers should also file a travel and destination plan with family members, the local SAR coordinator, or their local RCMP detachment.

Inuktaluk’s rescue comes amidst ongoing search efforts for Kimmirut mayor Jamesie Kootoo, who was last seen near Qurvik Lake on Nov. 26.

Nunavik search and rescue teams have also been looking for 34-year-old hunter Samwillie Amaamatuaq, who left his home community of Akulivik on foot at the end of November and hasn’t been seen since.

Sûreté du Québec officers flew in to help with the search last weekend, but weather conditions hampered their efforts. The search ended Dec. 11.