Mayor, search and rescue veteran criticize government’s handling of search
Both say they don’t understand why GN didn’t provide support Whale Cove searchers in a recent operation
The mayor of Whale Cove as well as a longtime search and rescue member are criticizing the Government of Nunavut’s handling of a recent search for a missing man. (Photo courtesy of Hamlet of Whale Cove)
A longtime Whale Cove search and rescue leader and the hamlet’s mayor are calling out the Government of Nunavut for not doing enough to support efforts to search for a missing man who was later found dead.
Stanley Adjuk, a 30-year veteran of the Whale Cove ground search and rescue group, said he contacted Nunavut Emergency Management for help as soon as the man was reported missing last month.
“We had eight guys lined up and ready to go,” he said in an interview.
Stanley Adjuk, a 30-year veteran of search and rescue operations in Whale Cove, says no expense should be spared when it comes to finding missing people. (Photo courtesy of Stanley Adjuk)
Jason Panika, 21, was declared missing April 19 as he travelled by snowmobile from Baker Lake to Rankin Inlet. His body was found April 21, about halfway between Baker Lake and Whale Cove, said Whale Cove Mayor Oliver Shipton in an interview.
When someone is reported missing, it the up to Department of Community and Government’s Service’s emergency management division whether to authorize a search and rescue operation. Authorization comes with a tasking number, which aids search teams by providing funding for items like fuel and insurance.
The tasking number also allows emergency management to support and track individual rescue operations, said Cyrone Cabatu, spokesperson for the Community and Government Services Department, in an email last week.
Based on Panika’s last known location, searchers in Baker Lake and Rankin Inlet were allowed to use the tracking number.
Searchers in Whale Cove were not allowed to use the number, meaning their search would not be supported by the government.
Adjuk noted that in news reports, Community and Government Services claimed one reason Whale Cove wasn’t issued a tasking number was because it was more than 400 kilometres away from where Panika’s snowmobile was found.
“That’s all wrong. We are 170 kilometres from where they found the machine,” Adjuk said. “We were the closest ones.”
He called the 400-kilometre claim “false information.”
Both Shipton and Adjuk say territorial government authorities didn’t understand the local terrain. They criticized the fact people based in Iqaluit make decisions about search and rescue operations for a region they didn’t know.
Panika’s machine was located just off a trail frequented by Whale Cove residents, Shipton said.
A spokesperson for Community and Government Services refuted Adjuk and Shipton’s claims, saying the decision not to give a tasking number to Whale Cove search and rescue was not based on a single factor, like distance, or without consultation with the search team based in Baker Lake.
Greg Belanger said considerations included resources that were already deployed, the size of the search area, capacity to manage additional resources, and potential for other requests in the area.
“Given Whale Cove’s interest in the Baker Lake search, [emergency management] will be engaging directly with Whale Cove [search and rescue] to ensure those concerns are captured and addressed in future planning and communications,” he said.
According to Shipton, “Whenever there’s an operation, the more people volunteering, the better chance of success. We live in an area where everybody helps and everybody joins a search. It’s always been that way.
“And to be told no — when we are willing to help and go out there — just doesn’t make any sense to me.”
Still, four Whale Cove searchers did go out on their own April 19 and were part of the team that eventually found Panika’s body two days later.
Four others set out on April 20 after the Agnico Eagle mining company pitched in to help with the rescue.
One of the most important benefits from a tasking number is the assistance it provides in covering insurance costs, Shipton said.
Volunteers use their own machines, and if someone is injured or a machine is damaged, they are not covered by insurance without a tasking number.
Snowmobiles are vital to help people put food on the table, Shipton said.
Adjuk and Shipton both suggest there should be a more regional approach used in the way Nunavut Emergency Management operates.
Shipton wrote Premier P.J. Akeeagok on April 23, outlining his concerns over the territorial government’s handling of the rescue. Shipton sent a follow-up letter the next day.
He said that as of May 17, Akeeagok had not replied, though he noted the government had responded to media queries around the search for Panika.
Kivalliq region is mainland nunavut. I know a handful of kivalliqmiut that travel to qitikmeot region by snowmobile. And qitikmeot vice versa travel to kivalliq communities by snowmobile also. If a search and rescue operation is needed, which I hope is not for qitikmeot and kivalliq region, I hope iqaluit, and the baffin take note that kivalliq and qitikmeot people like visiting by snowmobiles. If a search operation is needed, anywhere. Other communities willing to help, should be given the green light to go and search.
Travelling between communities by skidoo isn’t only limited to kivalliq and kitikmeot region. It is done all over the north. What notes do iqaluit and baffin have to take a out this? The thing that need people need to learn the most is taking inReach device while going out on the land. I believe all communities have free inReach device that people can use from the hamlet. Believe me, it will save countless hours of search.
People Travel too and from Naujaat and Igloolik.
Note to editor:
Caption on the first photo says “the mayor of whale cove, seen here” but it’s just a photo of the whale tail statue.
caption is wrong, it is all grammar. “Whale Cove, shown here, the mayor as well as a longtime search and rescue member are criticizing the Government of Nunavut’s handling of a recent search for a missing man.” That is what should be written. Were you expecting a picture of the Mayor?
Government of Nunavut is incompetent with southern bureaucrats calling all the shots. If each region had its own departments, GN would operate better.
Everyone going out on the land should be required to have an (inexpensive) emergency locator beacon, a Sat-phone or other means of communication. And should be heavily fined for non-compliance—which puts the lives of searchers at risk. How many times does this have to be said?
Your comment is indeed pertinent with regard to the circumstances at hand. However, it is imperative to note that the young man in question was experiencing a mental health crisis, and his actions went unnoticed by those around him.
The CGS Emergency Management in Iqaluit holds the ultimate authority. It is noteworthy that many within this department have limited experience beyond the Baffin region, particularly in dealing with challenging terrains and land.
It is worth contemplating why members of the emergency management team do not partake in the exercises conducted by the Canadian Rangers to gain valuable insights and expertise.
Always same thing. Someone thinks they don’t need a in-reach device then they get lost or there machine breaks down and then there screwed and cost millions of dollars in rescue costs. Agreed there need to be fines . Big ones too. Plus Hamlets borrow people satellite emergency devices absolutely free
The current government being a very close knit family & friends are too busy traveling to as many places they want. It shows with all their posing and making sure everything is captured on social media. Zero has been done, it’s only “all talk no action” from the beginning to now. Next election can’t come soon enough!
So who are you going to elect, hire, appoint or delegate responsibility. I have yet to hear anyone ever say something was done properly. Who would want to work in that environment. Again all that caring, sharing philosophy seems to be selectively applied. Time was when an emergency arose the community came together and got it done without asking if there was a number assigned for compensation. You want action take it upon yourselves. Do something for yourself or your nieghbour. You want better leaders, work at it and become that leader. You may find you are not good enough to meet the level of excellence demanded by current entitled society in which we live.
Hear Hear!!! Well said.
Nunavut Emergency Management of the GN is a joke from top to bottom.
Could substitute almost any division in CGS and GN in that comment haha
Anyone surprised that the premier did not respond to Whale Cove mayor. premier and cabinet only communicate by photos. No photo = no response.
I am disappointed by absolutely no response from Mr. Lightstone or Mr. Main despite my emails to them.
The response time of the Government of Nunavut staff and members of the Legislative Assembly is notably poor. They consistently fail to respond to emails. Despite their public service role, their communication skills are lacking.
In my professional experience, it is essential to respond to any received request or information within a 24-hour time frame. Regrettably, the Government of Nunavut and its Legislative members do not adhere to this standard.
I’d like to point out that since these respected MLAs and ministers were elected, they seem to forget who they represent and who their constituents are. What they seem to forget is that it’s because of people’s votes that they got elected in the first place. They only show their faces when it’s time for re-election, and after that, they couldn’t care less.
What is that saying where you hear “action speaks louder than words” and/or “do as I say, not as I do” These never ending same old photos of our Government family/friends clan are no different. Showing off their beautiful proud smiling faces looking very busy. These photos are becoming such eye sore. Stop the photo show offs please, Relying only on social media needs to end too.
Elections will be held, new appoints will be made. Everyone cheering the new beginning. A short while after discontent returns. Not because the newly elected or appointed have failed but the electorate will never be satisfied. This is not a localized problem but is indicative of a national and international plague of dependence. The spirit of self sufficiency is being eroded.
Most public figures Own their jobs and make their Own time , Search and rescue operations in western Nunavut is completely unorganized recent lost person was only looked for from another community instead due to lack of volunteers that are trained on the lands
I wonder if Stanley Adjuk is gearing up to run for MLA election?
Go Stanley Go! You sure would make a good MLA!
Signed, Oilers Fan!
Yes, perhaps he will be more responsive to emails than Mr. Main!
Stanley is gearing up for MLA? Look at the current MLA who started years before he put his name forward. He hosted the Inummarik Music Festival then he would hold radio phone in shows called Huvaguuq until he got elected. Since both have long worn off it’s time for a new Arviat/North MLA anyways. No need to replace Pang, Iqaluit- Sinaa, Iqaluit- Tassiluk, Amittuq, Aivilik, Aggu, Baker Lake. The family/friend clan? NO, otherwise it will still be a 🤡 🎪 Rest of the good MLAs are retirement age so it will be a surprise if some return. 2025 election will be the most exciting time of the century 💃 🪩 🕺
The current Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Arviat North/Whale Cove was performing effectively until assuming the role of Minister of Health. Subsequently, there has been a notable absence of communication with Whale Cove, save for a photographed interaction with the Premier of Nunavut in Whale Cove several months prior.
At the constituency office in Whale Cove, there has been a conspicuous lack of outreach or engagement. This prompts speculation regarding the presence of a dedicated representative for the area.
I believe that Stanley would be an excellent candidate for the position of MLA. However, it is likely that the community of Arviat will prioritize electing a candidate from their own community, resulting in a victory for Arviat. As a result, Whale Cove may lose its representation, as the incumbent, John, has not effectively communicated with residents, provided notices, or engaged with the community. I suspect that he is receiving a substantial paycheck and an attractive pension to expect in the future.