Sanirajak volunteers given search and rescue awards It takes a team, says Sanirajak search and rescue coordinator

By Trevor Wright Northern News Services Sanirajak

On April 12, Nunavut premier P.J. Akeeagok recognized and awarded the efforts of the Sanirajak search and rescue team who rescued three hunters during a walrus hunting accident in March.

“I’m thrilled to recognize the bravery and skill of the search and rescue team in Sanirajak led by George Innuksuk,” wrote Nunavut premier P.J. Akeeagok. in a written statement.

The premier added the efforts of volunteer search and rescue teams like these are essential for safeguarding Nunavut communities on and off the land.

“Their survival skills are incredible. It’s volunteers like these who use their time and tools to safeguard our communities.

To all search and rescue volunteers in Nunavut, I send my respect and gratitude,” Akeeagok added.

Awards were presented to Innuksuk as well as the other members of the Sanirajak search and rescue team. These include, but are not limited to, Abraham Oolalak, Kyle Issigaitok, Simon Curley, Timonie Pikuyak, Paul Nagmalik, Jonah Kukkik, Ian Allianaq, Simon Allurut and Sean Nattuk.

Innuksuk, said it felt “very good” to be recognized by the premier and the Government of Nunavut for their search and rescue efforts.

He added search and rescue efforts can be more difficult when others don’t show up, saying it takes a group to help others.

“Teamwork makes it way easier,” said Innuksuk, adding those who volunteer with Nunavut search and rescue teams must be willing to help people out on the land with no pay.

“That is up to the people if they are willing to help hunters that need to be rescued,” he said. “We do not seek any money.”

The awards were presented in Sanirajak’s Arnaqjuaq School by Akeeagok with deputy premier Pamela Gross and Amittuq MLA also present.

The premier’s visit to Sanirajak was part of a larger visit to the community, which included visits to North Warning sites near the community, as well as visits to the hamlet office, Arnaqjuaq School and the Sanirajak District Education Authority vice-chair Nagleena Inuksuk.

ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ ᓯᕗᓕᖅᑎ P.J ᐊᕿᐊᕈᖅ, ᓴᐅᒥᖕᒥ ᑐᓂᓯᕗᖅ ᐊᑭᓕᖅᓱᖅᑕᐅᓇᑎᒃ ᐃᑲᔪᕐᓂᕐᒥ ᐸᖅᓴᐃᔩᑦ ᐊᒻᒪ ᓴᐳᔾᔨᔩᑦ ᑐᓂᔭᐅᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᓴᓂᕋᔭᖕᒥᐅᑕᐅᔪᒧᑦ ᐃᓄᑐᖃᕐᒧᑦ ᐊᐃᑉᕋᕼᐋᒻ ᐅᓪᓚᓛᖕᒧᑦ.

ᓴᓂᕋᔭᖕᒥ ᐸᖅᓴᐃᔩᑦ ᐊᒻᒪ ᓴᐳᔾᔨᔩᑦ ᐱᓕᕆᔨᐅᔪᖅ ᔪᐊᔾ ᐃᓄᒃᓱᒃ, ᑕᓕᖅᐱᖕᒥ, ᐅᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ “ᐃᓗᐊᑦᑎᐊᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ”

ᐃᓕᓴᕆᔭᐅᓂᕐᒥ ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ ᐊᒻᒪ ᓯᕗᓕᖅᑎᒧᑦ P.J. ᐊᕿᐊᕈᕐᒧᑦ, ᓴᐅᒥᖕᒥ.

P.J. ᐊᕿᐊᕈᖅ, ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ ᓯᕗᓕᖅᑎ, ᓴᐅᒥᖕᒥ, ᑐᓂᓯᕗᖅ ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ ᐸᖅᓴᐃᔩᑦ ᐊᒻᒪ ᓴᐳᔾᔨᔩᑦ ᑐᓂᔭᐅᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᓴᓂᕋᔭᖕᒥ ᐸᖅᓴᐃᔩᑦ ᐊᒻᒪ ᓴᐳᔾᔨᔩᑦ ᐊᑭᓕᖅᓱᖅᑕᐅᓇᑎᒃ ᐃᑲᔪᕐᓂᕐᒥ ᓴᐃᒪᓐ ᑰᓕᒧᑦ, ᑕᓕᖅᐱᖕᒥ.

ᓯᕗᓕᖅᑎ P.J. ᐊᕿᐊᕈᖅ ᑐᓂᓯᑎᓪᓗᒍ ᑐᓂᔭᐅᓂᐅᔪᒥ.

ᓴᓂᕋᔭᖕᒥ ᐸᖅᓴᐃᔩᑦ ᐊᒻᒪ ᓴᐳᔾᔨᔩᑦ ᐊᑭᓕᖅᓱᖅᑕᐅᓇᑎᒃ ᐃᑲᔪᕐᓂᕐᒥ ᑲᐃᔪᓪ ᐃᓯᒐᐃᑦᑐᖅ, ᑕᓕᖅᐱᖕᒥ ᑐᓂᔭᐅᕗᖅ ᑐᓂᔭᐅᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ ᓯᕗᓕᖅᑎ P.J. ᐊᕿᐊᕈᕐᒧᑦ.