Members of the search party for Craig "Jumbo" Sock; photo courtesy Steven Googoo
Members of the Elsipogtog First Nation are continuing their search for Captain Jonathan Craig Sock.
He was onboard the FV Tyhawk fishing vessel when it went down on April 3rd off the Coast of Cape Breton.
Two of the five crew members died.
Elsipogtog Band member Ruth Levi says they are still grieving, “We need to bring him home and we need to start healing as a community. It is very difficult to go on that journey when our brother is out there somewhere.”
Levi says other First Nation’s in Cape Breton are assisting in their search.
She adds it has been very difficult for the three survivors, but everyday they get a little bit stronger.
“It is difficult for everyone right now, now only in our First Nation, but in all of Atlantic Canada. Everyone knew ew Craig Jumbo. He was a big part of our community. Everybody far and wide knew him. he was a beautiful spirit.”
Members of various local First Nations, including We’koqma’q, Paqtnkek and Eskasoni, are also helping in the search.
Four crew members were rescued when the ship went down; one of the four was later pronounced dead in hospital.
Annie Bernard-Daisley, the chief of the We’koqma’q First Nation, says they know when and where support is needed.
“You don’t even ask, it’s just there- we just rally together, it’s something that’s not spoken about, we just do it,” she says. “Being indigenous, it doesn’t matter if you’re a Mi’kmaw, if you’re a Cree, whatever you are- we’re going to support everybody.”
“I believe it’s going to probably continue until he’s found,” she says. “I know the hearts of our people, they want to bring him home- bring him home to his parents, his community, his wife, his children, his whole entire family,” Bernard-Daisley says.
Many fundraisers have been organized by the First Nation to support the search.
(With files from Greg Morrow)
