Retired Australian photographer sends cameras to Nunavut

Lance Akoluk, 14, of Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, was recently presented with a camera by Mona and Dave Taylor in memory of their son, Nathan Ookpik.

The camera came from an unlikely donor: an Australian man who has never visited Canada.

Bob Carveth, a retired photographer, had been saving money to visit Nunavut when his heart failed and he had to have bypass surgery. The 73-year-old decided to take the money he had saved for the trip and use it to send cameras to the communities he had planned to visit.

Two years later, Carveth has donated more than 80 cameras to Nunavut youth.

Lance Akoluk's gift came about when Carveth, while reading a newspaper online, came across a story about 15-year-old Nathan Ookpik Taylor of Cambridge Bay who died in 2011 in a dirt biking accident.

“His story really touched my heart,” said Carveth. “I was so drawn to his name ‘Ookpik.’ it’s so lovely. So I wanted to help his parents give back [to the community].”

Carveth called Mona Taylor at her work and explained that he wanted to send a camera to her family for them to give to another child in memory of her son Nathan.

“I never expected to get a call from [Australia], said Mona Taylor. “I feel so excited and happy that we are able to give another child a gift in memory of our son.”

Akoluk was chosen to receive the gift sent from down under because Mona and Dave Taylor, along with Anne Daniel, vice-principal of Kiilinik High School, say he embodies the same qualities that Nathan did. 

“In honour of Nathan, we wanted someone who was athletic because Nathan played hockey," said Daniel. "Someone artistic, who could really benefit from the camera, and somebody we thought could use a bit of a lift.”

The Taylors said they wanted to give that "bit of a lift" to someone who knows the feeling of losing a loved one. Akoluk lost his mother in September.

“I am so proud I get to honour Nathan Taylor,” said Akoluk. “I can’t wait to take some pictures with my family.”

Carveth's next camera gift has been sent to Kugaaruk and will be presented to another youth by the family of Andrew Karjunark in memory of their son.