In their search for a missing Norwegian walker, First Nations have demonstrated the meaning of the community
Search Continues for Missing Norwegian Walker in Northern Manitoba
York Factory in Noord -Manitoba. The Norwegian walker Steffen Skjottelvik, 29, hit some somewhere between Fort Severn First Nation in Ontario and York Factory on 14 August.
Melissa Tait/The Globe and Mail
There is now a lesson in fundamental humanity and cultural understanding that is currently taking place in real time, along the southern coasts of Kitchi Weeeneebayko, or Hudson Bay, while the search goes to a young Norwegian walker.
On August 14, 29-year-old Steffen Skjottelvik was missing somewhere between Fort Severn First Nation in Ontario and York Factory in North Manitoba along the banks of the Hayes River. It is an area that is known for its fast-moving waters: tides that can move quickly, and streams strong enough that they can push you down quickly and pull you under.
Mr. Skjottelvik was traveling with his two dogs, with his planned path brought him from James Bay to Alaska. He originally started his adventure in Moose Cree First Nation, along the coast of James Bay, and he made many friends along the way. Many have posted on social media about the friendliness of Mr. Skjottelvik, and about how he also lived for a while in Weenusk First Nation.
Now this is not a trip that someone would recommend to do solo. He is perhaps an experienced wilderness traveler, but it is dangerous to walk along the banks of the large inland sea, which is home to hungry polar bears and where a wrong step can lead to serious injury. But sometimes young people are called by adventure and a conviction that they can do everything. In the interest of Mr. Skjottelvik I hope that is still true.
On Friday, one of the dogs of Mr. Skjottelvik in York Factory, man. And although the RCMP said that the other dog may have been killed in a wolf attack, the locals placed on Facebook – which remains an important communication tool for First Nations Communities – an image of a Husky that matched the description in Fort Severn, On 300 kilometers away.
What is remarkable is how quickly First Nations communities came into action to search for Mr. Skjottelvik. Fort Severn First Nation Chief Matthew Kakekaspan on Sunday got a helicopter along the route and agreed to pay the high costs of renting and refueling a helicopter to search for the walker, who kept Norway man through the locals on Facebook. Fort Albany First Nation participated in the efforts and donated fuel for the air examination, and many members of Ininiw, Ililiw and Anisininw have donated them from their own pockets. However, the costs were ultimately untenable and the efforts of Fort Severn First Nation were paused on Tuesday – but now the locals themselves are taking the search back in the air with a helicopter thanks to donations that are still coming in. Pages with handwritten names than to thank the people who have helped are shared on Facebook.
According to the CBC, the RCMP Search for Mr. Skjottelvik, With one officer stationed in the York Factory area. They also used a drone and searched by boat.
Angus Miles, who was the most important contact point of Mr. Skjottelvik was last Thursday from the Norwegian in the early afternoon, when he said he was about a six -hour walk outside the York factory. Mr. Miles tried to report him again that night at 9 p.m. to get an update about his location; He never received a response.
Mr. Miles told me on Wednesday that the Canadian government has yet to help. “I no longer know what to think, this is tiring,” Mr. Miles written On Facebook. “I can’t imagine what the parents are going through now that far away in another country, the bureaucracy behind this has been such a BS, it is a human life! I don’t care where he comes from, he reached me for this leg of his journey. There was no question of him, so I could only support him as I said his head contact.”
To be clear, this region is the same where Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government hopes to accelerate large projects such as deep -sea ports, to send the precious minerals that companies hope to dig deep in the earth.
But if there is nothing else, the search for the Norway – person to the community spirit of bringing together people from First Nations – and the inherent sovereignty they have over the country. It doesn’t matter where you come from or who you are: your life is important.
When I Mr. Miles reached, he was flooded with calls. He told me that they were on their way back to York Factory and there was still no word from Canada.
“Donations come in from other communities – individuals,” he said. Because that is what you do when someone is in need – you come together and help – and ask questions later.
