Our deepest sympathy

IWMC learned with great sadness of the accidental loss during a bowhead hunt, of four people from the village of Gambell, Alaska. The four were out in a walrus skin boat and had struck a bowhead whale that was later recovered. The mayor of Gambell, Jason Nowpakahok and his little daughter, Yolanda, and nephew Leonard Nowpakahok, also a child, are still missing. James Uglowook, who accompanied them, was found alive but died shortly thereafter. Two other persons in the party were rescued.

We know that risk is a normal part of life on the land, and is an expected part of that life way that depends on the sea for a living. This does not make it easier when loss such as this occurs, and we extend our deepest sympathy to the families, to the survivors, and to the community of Gambell of which they shall always be a part. The whalers of Alaska shall always be in our thoughts and prayers. "