Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: April 18, 2000
• Invested on: December 08, 2000

Moses Aliyak, M.B.
Hattie Kablutsiak Amitnak, M.B. (Posthumous)
Medal of Bravery

On July 9, 1999, Hattie Amitnak lost her life, and Moses Aliyak was severely mauled as they confronted a polar bear that was attacking their family at Corbett Inlet, Nunavut. While camping on Hudson Bay, Mr. Aliyak and his grandson were trying to retrieve a boat when they encountered a two-metre polar bear on the shore. Mr. Aliyak distracted the bear by throwing rocks and yelling at it as the young boy ran back to the tent. The boy escaped but the animal attacked Mr. Aliyak, inflicting severe cuts to his head and face. Horrified, 60-year-old Hattie Amitnak raced out of the tent and confronted the bear to allow Mr. Aliyak to seek refuge and the others to escape and go for help. After lacerating another boy's head, the bear attacked Mrs. Amitnak and mauled her to death. Mr. Aliyak and the boy were airlifted to hospital and recovered from their injuries.