Two people from Lutsel Ke remain missing for almost a week after setting off by boat.
Lutsel K’e Dene First Nation Chief James Marlow said a man and woman left Yellowknife for Lutsel K’e Dene on Friday, September 4.
Marlowe said as days passed, people became concerned and he was alerted on Wednesday to the couple’s disappearance.
“After five days of no contact, there were concerns that the boats would have to travel too long,” he said.
Lutsel Cay, located nearly 200 kilometers east of Yellowknife, is accessible primarily only by air and water.
Marlow said bad weather Thursday hampered local search and rescue efforts. But with the help of the RCMP, Marlowe said they were able to bring a Hercules aircraft into the search.
Marlow said he had received reports of sightings of missing boaters in the corridor known as Devil’s Canal, which is about 90 kilometers south of Yellowknife.
From there, Marlow says there are three routes to get to Lutsel Ke. One route goes through the so-called Koni Canal, where there are several possible dead ends.
Marlow said he believes there are three possible scenarios for boaters.
“First of all, they ran out of gas. Secondly, they got lost. Thirdly, the motor they are using may have broken down,” he said.
Marlowe said he is returning to the community Friday, where he plans to help with the search across the Coney Canal.
Given what he knew about the missing people, Marlowe expressed hope that they could be found.
” [man] that is, there, I’m pretty sure he can survive in the wilderness. He is a member of the community and has been to this land many times.”