Inuktitut needs word for SPOT device: lost hunter

Confusion and bad luck: that's how Kenneth Immaruituq says he and two other hunters became strandedlast week near Igloolik for almost three days.

All three were eventually found safe.

Immaruitug says their problems started when they got stuck on rough ice.Then they became disoriented when the wind shifted.

"We weren't aware the wind shiftedwhen we were stuck," he said.

Immaruituq says they ended up travelling back the way they came, without realizing it.Then they ran out of gas.

Due to a miscommunication, instead of a SPOT locator devicethey had a flashlight.

Immaruituq says the problem is that there is no standard Inuktitut term for SPOT devices.

"Our elder told me to take 'the one thathas light' soI thought he was talking about the flashlight," he said. "We had left it in the box where we were stuck earlier."

Immaruituq began walking.He says he saw many snowmobiles passby butthey were unable to see him.

He could hear seals blowing through holes and tried not to panic even though he was walking alone in polar bear country.

He walked alone for twodays before being rescued.The other twowere then picked up as well.

People inIgloolik celebrated their return and thankedsearch and rescue volunteers with a feast at the elementary school Monday.

CelestinoUyarak,the hamlet's assistant senior administrative officer,says the party was a joyous occasion and also a time for residents to reflect on what could have beena a tragic loss.