Daniel Qitsualik, M.B.
Medal of Bravery
Following a cabin fire on the night of August 5, 1986, at Mary River, an abandoned mining camp in the Northwest Territories, in which a child and her father were severely burned, Daniel Qitsualik set off alone and without maps through the unknown and hostile land to get help from the nearest camp some 100 km. away. His first attempt was abortive; as he lost his way and mistakenly returned to his starting point. Getting clearer directions from the injured man, he set off again, traversing deep, cold rivers and braving gusting winds to finally meet up two other hunters who were eventually able to obtain aerial help from yet another camp. Daniel Qitsualik's journey took him some 24 hours all told and when he returned to the campsite he helped care for the two victims. Unfortunately, the man succumbed to his injuries, but the little girl survived.
Maxwell Machmer was awarded the Star of Courage posthumously for his participation in this rescue.