'Still healing': Pond Inlet mother on losing 3 children and husband in tent fire
‘Even though they’re not physically with me on Earth they are still with me in spirit'
Pond Inlet's Nina Kautuq has endured a mother's worst nightmare — she lost three of her children as well as her husband to severe burn injuries after a camping accident in August 2015.
Now over a year later, and despite the physical and psychological scars, Kautuq is fighting to reclaim her life one day at a time.
The family of six were about a two-hour boat ride west of the Pond Inlet, Nunavut, when the fire started. It was early in the morning. A camping stove lit the tent on fire while Kautuq and her husband and four children, aged two to 11, were all inside.
"I was the first to get out of the tent," says Kautuq.
"I have some burned areas — it was only 15 per cent of my body and it's still healing."
The only survivors were Kautuq and her youngest son Jutanie, who turns four on Nov. 22.
"He was there with me watching the whole tragedy," says Kautuq.
The experience has left its mark on the little boy. On some days he's very active and animated, she says. On others, he's agitated and cries easily.
"He remembers his siblings, he remembers his father, but that doesn't stop him from going on with life," says Kautuq.
Her little son has become Kautuq's main reason to persevere.
"I still have one more child with me," she says "I still have someone looking to me."
Moving on with spiritual goals
Kautuq admits that not every day is easy. "Sometimes we hit rock bottom," says Kautuq. "It hurts and reality hits and I still get panic attacks."
She says focusing on her loss can be debilitating.
"It gets very tiring or exhausting when I think of them too much."
But she says the memory of her loved ones also brings her comfort.
"I believe even though they're not physically with me on Earth they are still with me in spirit."
Despite the hardship, Kautuq is not letting her tragedy define her.
"Even if I lost so much — that's not going to stop me."
Since the accident Kautuq has turned to her faith for comfort — she is now studying to be a minister.
Kautuq hopes she can use her new vocation to help others facing hard times and has a message for anyone who has lost a loved one.
"Keep going on with your life," she urges, "even if you have lost a child — your husband or your wife — there's no reason why we have to stop living."
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
