'He would do anything': Family of 2 men in Kimmirut, Nunavut, boating accident mourns their loss
Pitseolala Atsiaq's last conversation with her father, Pisteolak Qimirpik, before he went missing was about a gift to the community.
"My dad tried to get a piano for a healing circle," she said.
That gesture reflects the way she describes her father: someone who would put others before himself, even as he battled his own ill health.
"Even with the pain in his hand… he would still help out people," she said. "Especially for my mum, he would do anything for my mum."
That generosity was present in other family members too.
"My brother, he was practically the same thing as my father," said Atsiaq.
A photo of Pitseolala Atsiaq's parents. 'He would do anything for my mum,' she said, referring to her father Pitseolak Qimirpik. (Submitted by Pitseolala Atsiaq)
Pitseolak, 56, and his son Suati Qimirpik, 31, were both carvers. On the morning of Oct. 11, they set out to gather soapstone. But later that day, about 10 p.m., things took a turn for the worst.
Fog set in, and in the dark, their boat hit something near Qikiqtarjuaq (Big Island).
Suati's body was found the next day, but Pitseolak is still missing.
With the waves getting choppier, Rosie Akavak, the local ground search-and-rescue coordinator, said they may have to end the search soon.
"I am hopeful he will be found but there's the little part of me [thinking] that he won't be," she said.
As a result, the family is now planning a burial for Suati and a memorial for Pitseolak.
Preventing future tragedies
Pitseolala Atsiaq started a fundraiser on Oct. 13 to raise money for local search efforts after federal agencies withdrew.
The Canadian Coast Guard provided a helicopter and led the initial search with support from local RCMP.
While outside its mandate, Nunavut Emergency Management (NEM), also assisted with funding until Oct. 17.
"These decisions are made based on all available information and likelihood of successful rescue," it said in a written statement.
Pitseolala Atsiaq says her father would often help out with the maintenance of the church. (Submitted by Pitseolala Atsiaq )
With the community search likely ending soon, Atsiaq is looking to put that money toward buying life-jackets and underwater cameras for rescue boats.
Akavak said it's sad her search team doesn't have those resources already, but that's because they don't normally conduct water searches.
"Because we're ground search-and-rescue, we've never had to do this before," she said. "I wish we could do more."
Atsiaq said she's grateful for the support her family has received, though she wished she had more time to express that to her brother and father too.
"[Suati] would come around four times a week," she said.
"I could have appreciated them more… for them to always ask me how I'm doing."
