The community of Chisasibi is in mourning after a local man suffered a heart attack while kayaking. Edward Tapiatic, a former head of the CRA’s traditional pursuits agency was part of a four-man team heading to Whapmagoostui, 200 kilometres away. He died after paddling a distance of about five kilometres.
The trip was organized by Chisasibi’s Anglican minister, Douglas McNaughton, who wanted a native on the team. Tapiatic accepted.
“He really loved to paddle in the summer. He wanted to show the younger generation that we can still do this,” said Jimmy Fireman, a friend of Tapiatic.
