There are few organizations as important to a Kivalliq community as its local search-and-rescue (SAR) operation.
Arviat Mayor Joe Savikataaq Jr. said when a search is required in his community for an overdue hunter or fisher, it's often a family member of the overdue person who notifies SAR.
He said a member of SAR is always on standby with a dedicated cellphone for that purpose only.
"Once the call is received, and as much information as possible is gathered, the team starts to mobilize people to go out and search for the missing person," said Savikataaq. "It might be a small team that heads out in the early stages of the search, but, as time goes on, more-and-more people start to join and that's when the public really starts to help."
Savikataaq said in the case of his daughter, Kadin (still missing), he was up in an airplane searching and, no matter where he flew — inland, on the coast or way down offshore — he saw people.
He said those people were all community members who had joined the search.
"There were lots of people who went out and it was a good example of how the community can often help search and rescue.
"In the past, following a successful search, there could be a community dance held in celebration, but that doesn't happen much anymore. I don't know what the reason is, maybe because the community is so much bigger now, but, still, everyone is really happy when the outcome is good."
Savikataaq said people who take part in the search effort are given fuel for their trip out on the land.
He said SAR has its own supply of fuel for those situations.
"When SAR has a tasking number, which makes it an official search, all the fuel and food is reimbursed by the Government of Nunavut. So, before anyone goes out searching, they go to SAR to get the fuel and food required to go on the search.
"Searches usually happen when the gas station is closed, so that wouldn't be a viable option.
"I would rate our community's response to a search at whatever the maximum gauge would be. Search and rescue is very well run here in Arviat. The community supports it and the hamlet supports it, therefore it runs like a well-oiled machine here in Arviat.
"Perpetual motion is the term I'd use for when SAR goes into action here."
