Search continues for missing Nunavut MLA Pauloosie Keyootak and 2 others missing on Baffin Island

Nunavut'semergency servicesco-ordinatoris optimistic UqqummiutMLAPauloosieKeyootakand two othermissing travellers will be found safe.

Keyootak, his young son, and another adult were supposed to arrive in Pangnirtung last Wednesday,butdidn't arrive.That triggered a search which now includes parties from both Pangnirtung and the territory's capital of Iqaluit,as wellasCanadian Forces aircraft.

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"Right now we have search teams from both Pangnirtung and Iqaluit out," saidEdZebedee, the territorial government'semergency servicesco-ordinator.

"We have a Hercules aircraft that's just waiting to go back out,and we're waiting for a Cormoranta helicopter that's on its way up."

Zebedeeadded that aTwin Otter has also beenchartered with local spotters to assist with the search.

Searchers hopeful:'they know what they're doing'

Keyootakand his partyleft Iqaluit on twosnowmobiles last Tuesday, planning to travel first to Pangnirtung before continuing on to the hamlet ofQikiqtarjuaq. The territorial government was made aware that the group was missing Saturday night, according to Zebedee, and sent out a search partySunday morning.

Zebedee said that he's optimistic about the group's status, despite the fact that they've been missing for nearly a week.

"They're hunters," he said. "They know what they're doing.We've had individuals out much much longer than that."

The area is currently experiencing mild weather and clear skies optimal for search parties. The conditions are expected to stay mild for the next few days.

According toZebedee,Keyootak's group was not carrying communication equipment or a Spot device with them on their trip.

Volunteers 'have really stepped up'

With the end of Easter weekend on Tuesday, Zebedee said search efforts have intensified as vacationing residents make their way back to their home communities and volunteer to help.

"They really rallied today," said Zebedee. "The volunteers have really stepped up. They're putting in a lot of hours."

Zebedee said that there is no time frame yet for how long the search will continue, and that they will continue to look forKeyootak's group until "the elders and others decide we've reached the end of it."

It's been a busy weekend for search-and-rescue services in Nunavut. According to Zebedee,five searches began over the Easter weekend, bringing the total to 58 so far this year.

Keyootak, originallyfrom Qikiqtarjuaq, was elected to the Nunavutlegislature in February2015.