David Pisurayak Kootook

David Pisurayak Kootook, MSC, (13 August 1958 – December 1972[1]) was an Inuit boy from Spence Bay, Northwest Territories (now Nunavut) who helped save the life of bush pilot Marten Hartwell after a crash in the Canadian Arctic. Kootook died after 23 days, and was posthumously awarded the Meritorious Service Cross.

Cambridge Bay
Hottah Lake
Yellowknife
Main sites

The crash

Kootook had appendicitis and was being medically evacuated from Cambridge Bay for treatment. The plane hit a hill near Hottah Lake, just south of Great Bear Lake and 400 km (250 mi) northwest of Yellowknife. Both Kootook and Marten survived the crash, but the two other people on board, a pregnant Inuit woman and a nurse attending them, died. The temperature was as low as -40 °C (-38 °F). Kootook, 14 years old at the time, built a shelter for both of them, lit and tended a fire, and found food for himself and the pilot. Hartwell eventually ate the flesh of a deceased passenger, but Kootook declined and died of starvation after 23 days. In an inquiry, doctors determined he would have survived if he had not used all his energy for his heroic efforts.

Hartwell was rescued by the Canadian military a week later.

Memorials and legacy

The story of the crash and the following events were written about in Edmonton author Peter Tadman's book The Survivor.

The Meritorious Service Cross was awarded to Kootook's family in 1994,[2] 22 years after his death, for his efforts to save Hartwell's life. The honor is awarded for "a deed or an activity that has been performed in an outstandingly professional manner, or with uncommonly high standards."[3]

In 1998, Kootook was honoured by the Northern Transportation Company by having a ship named after him.[4]

There is also a memorial Inuksuk in honour of Kootook in Edmonton.[5]

References
  1. Goyette, Linda. Northern Kids. Brindle and Glass. ISBN 1926972139.
  2. "Meritorious Service Decorations - Recipient". The Governor General of Canada. Retrieved April 8, 2017.
  3. "Meritorious Service Decorations - Civil Division". Retrieved April 8, 2017.
  4. "NTCL names ship after David Pisurayak Kootook". Nunatsiaq News. October 2, 1998. Retrieved April 8, 2017.
  5. "David Kootook Inukshuk, Edmonton AB". Retrieved April 8, 2017.

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