Search continues for missing Kimmirut mayor

As the search for missing Kimmirut mayor Jamesie Kootoo enters its third week, volunteers aren’t slowing down.

Kootoo, 67, who went missing while on a hunting trip, was last seen Nov. 26 near Qurvik Lake, three hours by snowmobile from Kimmirut.

Since then, searchers have found remnants of a snowshelter and butchered caribou, and some aerial searchers said they had spotted a light out on the land.

But there’s still been no sign of Kootoo.

As the search continued, a group of 15 volunteer searchers arrived in Kimmirut from Iqaluit Dec. 11.

The volunteers set out from Iqaluit on Friday and Saturday, arriving in Kimmirut late Sunday night, Megan Pizzo-Lyall, spokesperson for Iqaluit Search and Rescue, told Nunatsiaq News.

“It took a couple of the snowmobiles two hours to travel just 13 kilometres because it is so rough,” Pizzo-Lyall said.

The rough terrain also leads to frequent snowmobile breakdowns, which slows the search and adds to the cost, she said.

“They are doing a couple of repairs right now,” Pizzo-Lyall added. “So we have sent over some parts so they have something to work with.”

RCMP Sgt. Jimmy Akavak said air searchers planned to cover most of the area where Kootoo was last seen by the end of Dec.12.

“They are concentrating on three key areas that have not been covered yet due to bad weather,” Akavak said. “After that they will re-group and decide if they will fly more or wait on standby.”

Searchers are still looking for any clues to determine which direction Kootoo might have taken.

In an effort to assist with the cost of the search, Nanook School in Apex raised more than $400.

The money bought camping supplies for the search volunteers, which Nanook Principal Matt Knickelbein delivered to the search effort on Dec. 7.

“The volunteers are willing to put their time and machinery in,” Knickelbein said. “So we feel it is important to support them in any way we can.”

The school staff also took the opportunity to stress to students how important it is to take proper safety precautions when traveling out on the land.

“Every year when there is snow on the ground we go over skidoo safety,” Knickelbein said. “It can start out as a nice beautiful day… but things can go wrong pretty quickly.”

To help continue the search for Kootoo, the Kimmirut Search and Rescue Committee is still seeking donations in the form of cash, fuel purchase through the local co-op or snowmobile parts.

The committee members have asked anyone who wants to make a donation to call 867-939-2247.