1 boater found dead, 2 others missing on Lake Winnipeg, say RCMP

RCMP and community members near Grand Rapids, Man., are scouring the shorelinefor two boaters who remain missing Sunday, while searchers have located the body of a third personwho was with the group.

The three men age 28, 29 and 31, from Misipawistik Cree Nation had set off together by boat to the north basin of Lake Winnipeg to hunt moose, according to police.

An RCMP spokesperson told CBC News on Sunday it's not clear when the group had begun travelling, but they were in contact with family andfriends and indicated they would be returning late Thursday.

They did not return as scheduled, and no one could get in contact with them, the spokesperson said. Grand Rapids RCMP received a report about the missing boaters onFriday morning.

Misipawistik Cree Nation Chief Heidi Cook says community members started searchingfor the boatersright away, setting up a search base with a teepee and sacred fire that will remain lit until all threemen are brought home.

Cook estimated about 15 boats with searchers were in the water on Sunday. People from neighbouring communities including Chemawawin Cree Nation, Opaskwayak Cree Nation, Pinaymootang First Nation and Pimicikamak Cree Nationare coming in to help, she said, adding that she and her community are very grateful for the support.

"I know when somebody is missing on the lake, it kind of affects everybody around the lakeand our communities are all related," Cook told CBC News in a phone interview Sunday evening.

"We know what it's like to live that lifestyle, relying on commercial fishing and how dependent you are on the weather and on your skills to be able to make that living and come home safely each night."

Several search and rescue groups, the RCMP's underwater recovery team and the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre have also been searching the area.

Police say searchers found items belonging to the missing boaters along the shoreline of Lake Winnipeg, between EagleNest and Reef point.

Members of Easterville Search and Rescue found the body of the 31-year-old man in the water on Saturday, say police.

Cook and RCMP said the families of the three men are asking for privacy at this time.

'We still maintain a hope'

The chief described the men ascommercial fishermen and fishing helpers who are experienced on the lake.

"In our community, just about every family is affected by being related or being close to one or more of the three that are missing. So it's a really, it's a really difficult time right now," Cook said.

"It's a recovery effort that's going on right now. But for the ones who are still out there, we still maintain a hope that somehow they made it to shore and that we can bring them home safely."

RCMP say they'll continue searching for the two other men with local fishermen and search and rescue groups from Easterville and The Pas. The search is currently focused on Lake Winnipeg.

"This is a tragedy for the family and community and we continue to search for the other two missing boaters," RCMP Cpl. JulieCourchaine said in an email to CBC News.

"The RCMP would like to acknowledge all the people that have come together to assist with the search and continue to do so."