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, NathanOokpik.

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 Nunavutwhen his heart failed and he had to havebypass surgery. The 73-year-old decided to take the money he had saved for the trip and use it to send cameras to thecommunities he had plannedto visit.

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

Lance Akoluk'sgift came about when Carveth, while reading anewspaper online, came across a storyabout 15-year-old NathanOokpikTaylor of Cambridge Bay who died in 2011 in a dirt biking accident.

His story really touched my heart, saidCarveth. I was so drawnto his nameOokpik.its so lovely. So I wanted to help his parents give back [to thecommunity].

Carvethcalled Mona Taylorat her work and explained that he wanted to send acamera to her family for them to give to anotherchild in memory of her son Nathan.

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

Akolukwas chosen to receive the gift sent from down under becauseMona and Dave Taylor, along with Anne Daniel, vice-principal of Kiilinik High School, sayhe embodies the same qualities that Nathandid.

In honour of Nathan, we wanted someone who was athletic because Nathan playedhockey," said Daniel. "Someone artistic, who could really benefit from the camera, and somebodywethoughtcould use a bit of a lift.

The Taylorssaid they wanted to give that "bit of a lift" tosomeonewho knows the feeling of losing a loved one.Akoluklosthis mother in September.

I am so proud I get to honour Nathan Taylor, saidAkoluk.I cant wait to take some pictures with my family.

Carveth's next camera gift has been sent toKugaarukandwill be presented to another youth by the family ofAndrewKarjunark in memory of their son.