Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: September 2, 1999
• Invested on: June 26, 2000

On July 16, 1998, Mark Seltzer lost his life while helping a friend whose kayak had capsized in Eclipse Sound near Pond Inlet, Baffin Island, Nunavut. Mr. Seltzer, his wife and another couple were on a kayak trip when they suddenly found themselves in rough waters. Noticing that a friend's kayak had overturned in four-metre waves, Mr. Seltzer managed to reach her side despite the strong currents and found the woman entangled in ropes. He was able to free her but he too fell in the sub- zero waters. Mr. Seltzer succeeded in helping the victim onto the kayak of his other friend who took her to shore. Regrettably, Mr. Seltzer succumbed to the extreme cold and drowned. His body was recovered two weeks later.