RCMP search suspended for missing canoeist off Vancouver Island while community-led search continues

The RCMP search for missing canoeist James (Dakota) Smith off northern Vancouver Island has been suspended, as police say challenging weather has made the chance of his survival unlikely. But Smith’s family and community won’t stop searching for him, and they are calling for government action to support their efforts.

Smith, a member of the Ma’amtagila Nation, was reported missing on Nov. 6.

“The man had left his residence earlier in the day to go fishing aboard his canoe and did not return,” Sayward RCMP said in a news release Tuesday.

They said the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) searched for Smith on the Johnstone Strait at the mouth of the Adam River, about 85 kilometres northwest of Campbell River.

Police said it was an extensive search, including helicopters, and while the capsized canoe was found, nobody was around it.

“Despite the intensive search through inclement weather consisting of high unpredictable winds, heavy rainfalls and the frigid water temperature, the chances of survivability have drastically been reduced,” RCMP said.

They said the continuing poor weather made it unsafe for water and shoreline searches.

“Police would like to thank anyone who assisted with the search of Mr. Smith.”

Community calls for co-ordinated search, recovery plan

While the RCMP search has been suspended, Smith’s family and community are continuing their ongoing work to find him.

In a news release Tuesday, the Ma’amtagila Tribe Society said volunteers are coming from across Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw territory and beyond, including boats from the ‘Namgis Nation and the Tlowitsis Guardians.

“The RCMP has identified conditions as too dangerous for its search teams, but our community faces those same dangers, and we will not stop looking for Dakota,” said the release.

“We need professional support, equipment, and coordination to continue as safely as conditions permit.”

“All this work is community-driven but we’re not professionals,” said Smith’s aunt, Jennifer Hamdzas Ambers, in the news release.

“What we need now is the people with specialized knowledge and equipment, the teams that train for exactly this kind of crisis.”

The Ma’amtagila Tribe Society said it is calling for a well-resourced search operation for Smith.

It is urging the RCMP to take a lead role in creating a co-ordinated search and recovery plan with Ma’amtagila search organizers and are requesting continued search and rescue deployment.

The community said the love and support they’ve received has held them up.

“It is a testament to Dakota and the way he has lived his life: with purpose, passion, and above all, love for his land.”