The Chief and Council of the York Factory First Nation today offered condolences to the family and communities of the late Steffen Skjottelvik, an adventurer from Norway who is believed to have perished while attempting to cross the Hayes River while on a planned journey on foot between Fort Severn and York Factory.
“The late Steffan has touched many communities amongst our First Nation relations along the Hudson Bay coast in northern Ontario and in Norway who today remember and honour his life and spirit of adventure. The York Factory First Nation joins them in sharing our heartfelt condolences to the late Steffen’s family and many friends,” said Chief Darryl Wastesicoot.
“Much has been said about the late Steffen being the one of the only persons who would be able to trek on foot along the Hudson Bay coast. The route that the late Steffan followed was through the beautiful and rich lands that are our Homeland since time immemorial. We entered into Treaty No. 5 on August 10, 1910 at York Factory as the Fort York Band of Indians. We carried out our daily lives for centuries in the very same areas that the late Steffan trekked through,” added Chief Wastesicoot.
“In 1957, our people were forcibly relocated by the Department of Indian Affairs from our homes near the Hayes River and from our homes and villages on the Machichi, Mistikokan and Kaskattama Rivers. Today, we have permanent camps at Silver Goose Camp at York Factory and at Ten Shilling Creek near where the creek joins the Hayes River”, continued Chief Wastesicoot.
“Our Elder and Bear Guide, Albert Saunders, intimately knows the search area within York Factory Traditional Territory and assisted in the search for the late Steffan while also acting as a protector for the search team. We thank the Fort Severn First Nation for immediately setting the search in motion. Our hearts go out to the family and to everyone who was touched by the late Steffan,” Chief Wastesicoot concluded.