NAN Joins Communities Mourning Passing of Norwegian Adventurer Steffen Skjøttelvik
The Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Executive Council has issued the following statement regarding the discovery yesterday of Norwegian adventurer Steffen Skjøttelvik, who was found deceased on the banks of the Hayes River:
“We had hoped and prayed that Steffen would be located safely, and our thoughts and prayers have been with his family, friends, and loved ones since we received this unfortunate news. Steffen was well known in many of our remote communities, and vigils were held yesterday in several First Nations where he had established relationships.
We commend everyone who participated in this search, including Fort Severn First Nation Chief Matthew Kakekaspan and Council for leading this effort at their own expense, with little support from any level of government. Many people went to great lengths and put their own lives at risk to find this young traveller. We are grateful for their efforts and to everyone who supported the search financially. Your kindness and compassion has showed the world who we are as a people.
We acknowledge the efforts of the RCMP and other agencies, but it’s the leadership and volunteers from Fort Severn who are the true heroes in this effort. This community demonstrated incredible leadership to care for a guest in their territory and exhausted all of the available resources to ensure his safety when he went missing. We cannot thank them enough. If it weren’t for them, he might have been lost forever, and his family might never have had closure.”
This search has raised serious concerns about search and rescue operations in the Far North. We are seeing more and more activity on the land in and around our communities, and it appears that bureaucracy is getting in the way of safety. Policies must be updated. When lives are in danger, resources must be mobilized by all levels of government.”
Steffen Skjøttelvik, 29, set out on July 25, 2025, from Fort Severn First Nation with his two huskies, intending to trek over 300 kilometres to York Factory by August 15. He arrived in Nanuk camp, about 40 kilometres from York Factory, on August 13. He last touched base with a contact in York Factory on August 14, saying he planned to arrive the next day.
For more information please contact:
Michael Heintzman,
Director of Communications
Cell: (807) 621-2790
mheintzman@nan.ca