‘Heavy Hearts’ On Haida Gwaii After Boat Capsizes and 2 Fishermen Die

There was a sacred fire on Monday for the men.

Heartfelt condolences pour in as the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre and coast guard work to recover the bodies of two fishermen lost off the coast of Haida Gwaii.
Heartfelt condolences pour in as the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre and coast guard work to recover the bodies of two fishermen lost off the coast of Haida Gwaii. Source: Skidegate Health Centre on Facebook.

The Haida Gwaii community is mourning after a fishing boat capsized west of the archipelago and two men died. 

“Come share prayers and food offerings.”

Skidegate Health Centre

“We would like to reach out and express condolences to the families and community,” the Skidegate Health Centre wrote in a Facebook post. “During these difficult times, we are at a loss for words and walk with heavy hearts.”  

The centre tended a sacred fire on the beach all day Monday for the two men. “Come share prayers and food offerings. We are looking for donations of dry firewood. Maybe some cookies, ts’iljii dried kaaw snacks … Come on down,” the centre wrote.

A somber day on Haida Gwaii as the Skidegate Health Centre tends a sacred fire on the beach to honor two men lost in a tragic fishing accident. Source: Skidegate Health Centre on Facebook.

The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Victoria was contacted early Sunday morning after an aluminum fishing boat that was supposed to return to Skidegate didn’t show up.

“Sending love and our sincerest condolences.”

Skidegate Health Centre Facebook

The coast guard station in Sandspit sent out two search and rescue vessels.

 “The bodies of the men were found by a volunteer search vessel at 1 p.m. and were recovered by the coast guard, which stood down the search,” CTV News reported

“Sending love and our sincerest condolences,” one person wrote on the Skidegate Health Centre Facebook page.

The community of Haida Gwaii mourns the loss of two men as donations of dry firewood and snacks are welcomed at the Skidegate Health Centre to honour their memory. Source: Skidegate Health Centre on Facebook.

Written by The Skeena

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