Tragedy struck in Waskaganish on January 11 when a young local trapper was found frozen to death just two days before he and his family were scheduled to go to their trapline.
William Whiskeychan, 25, was seen drinking in various places in the community the night before.
According to George Katapatuk, of the Cree Trappers’ Association, Whiskeychan wandered off down a road wearing light clothes, then went into some deep snow.
It was very cold and Whiskeychan was found without a winter coat, boots or anything to keep his hands warm.
From his tracks, it looks like he was struggling in the snow to make it back to the road. He was found about 50 metres away from the road near the daycare centre.
Katapatuk, who has the job of getting information on deaths in the community and relaying it to the families, said the incident has been very difficult for everyone concerned.
“It’s the first time I’ve dealt with a case like that. To me it was a shock. I was stunned.”
