Tribal canoe capsizes; 1 killed (Jerry Jack, Gold River, BC)

[uppityperson]

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/sited/story/html/261812

igh winds and five- to seven-foot swells capsized a Makah tribal canoe near the Dungeness Spit late Wednesday afternoon, killing a Canadian tribal chief and hospitalizing three canoeists.

Jerry Jack, 55, of Gold River, British Columbia, was pronounced dead at the scene, Clallam County Undersheriff Rich Sill said. His family was notified Wednesday evening by Neah Bay tribal police. Jack, hereditary chief of the Mowachaht/Muchalaht tribe, was involved in the controversy over the death of the orca Luna in Nootka Sound on west Vancouver Island last March.

It was not known if Jack drowned, Sill said. ``I don't think we can determine that until we get the autopsy results,'' Sill said, noting that the Sheriff's Department is treating the incident as a boating accident and will conduct an investigation with the Coast Guard.

Two men and one woman who also were aboard the capsized Makah canoe were airlifted by the Coast Guard from the base of the Dungeness Spit to a makeshift command center, then taken to Olympic Medical Center and treated for hypothermia.

(clip)

The journey, an annual gathering of Pacific Northwest and British Columbia tribes to promote traditions as well as alcohol- and drug-free lifestyles among tribal youth, is midway through a route that is scheduled to end in Seattle on Monday...(more@link)

picture of a survivor being helped

They are continuing the journey, will be rather somber. This is the first canoe fatality they have had and we are really sad about it here on the Olympic Peninsula.

[Spazito]

1. That is very sad news...

Their journey is for such a good cause and to have this happen is sad indeed. I am glad they are continuing the journey, it is very courageous of them to do so, I applaud them.

[uppityperson]

2. a couple yrs ago I found one of their paddles washed up on a beach

found our local woman participant and gave it back to her. An acquaintance said "that was a nice thing to do" while I looked at her and tried to figure out why she would say this. Of course I would return it. It was not like someone's generic canoe paddle but these are important paddles being used for important reasons.

think he was the man involved with the young orca following boats last yr, spirit animal I think(?). Some wanted to work on returning it to a pod, some said let it be. I don't remember for sure though and google doesn't show me much.

Edited to add, just searched again and found this about it:
http://www.eurocbc.org/orca_luna_relocation_capture_prevented_by_native_americans_26jun2004page1683.html

[Spazito]

3. Yes, I very much remember that time when there was the question

of trying to return Luna to a pod and how it was felt Luna was spirit and should be left alone. Sadly Luna died earlier this year.

[uppityperson]

4. that is too bad, thank you because I missed that, or didn't remember

[Spazito]

5. Here is an article I found about it...

Luna's reuniting with pod might not have prevented death, experts say

http://www.canada.com/topics/news/national/story.html?id=37ddf0a9-0da6-41d8-ad83-349126bbb4f7&rfp=dta

Edited to add: I meant to post something in the previous post re the paddle, that was very good of you to return it as it is very special and I understand why it was appreciated.

[HEyHEY]

6. Oh shit, I think I interviewed him a few months back

But I'm not 100 per cent sure. If it was him, he was a very pleasant man.
ON EDIT: Checked my files...wasn't him.