A paddle believed to belong to missing North Island man Dakota Smith has been discovered, prompting search and rescue crews to return to the area as severe weather threatens to further complicate efforts to find him. The paddle was found Monday east of the river, according to Campbell River Search and Rescue search manager Jeff Ternan, who said crews were redeployed to thoroughly search the surrounding area. “It was identified as his paddle, so we believe so, but we’re not sure,” Ternan told CTV News. Smith, a member of the Ma’amtagila people, was last seen heading out into the ocean by canoe around noon Friday, Nov. 6. The RCMP says Victoria’s Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) notified Sayward RCMP at approximately 4:20 p.m. Friday that it was searching for a missing man. In an email to CTV News, Staff Sgt. Kris Clark said JRCC located Smith’s canoe approximately six miles up Johnstone Strait from the mouth of the Adams River. “The search resumed Saturday morning,” Clark wrote, adding that he did not have further updates at the time of his response. Ternan said the Canadian Coast Guard found the canoe overturned Friday. He also said Smith was not wearing a life jacket. Search crews return to areas not fully searched Campbell River Search and Rescue was called out by the RCMP at approximately 8 a.m. Saturday, Ternan said. About 14 search and rescue members responded that day, with a similar number involved Sunday. Teams from Comox and Arrowsmith also provided mutual aid. Searchers used helicopters, boats, ground crews and drones equipped with thermal capabilities to cover the shoreline, surrounding forest and riverbanks. Ternan, who managed the search over the weekend, said crews initially focused on the possibility Smith had made it to shore and sought shelter in the forest. By the end of Sunday, he said most identified search areas had received extensive coverage from the air, water and ground. However, two areas had not yet received a thorough ground search. “We did elect to return and complete those areas today,” Ternan said. He said crews also returned to the area where the possible paddle was discovered. The additional searches are significant because Smith’s cousin, Matthew Ambers, had raised concerns with CTV News that some sections of coastline had not been searched thoroughly enough and that professional search resources might be leaving the area. Ternan acknowledged the two areas had not received the additional ground-level checks, but were being searched by helicopters and drones. He said search areas were determined based on the circumstances of Smith’s disappearance and the information available to the team. Campbell River Search and Rescue remained involved Monday, but Ternan said the RCMP ultimately decides how long search and rescue resources remain deployed. “We’ll continue to be active as long as the RCMP requests our presence there,” he said. Family and First Nations volunteers continue search Smith lives with his partner and their two young children on his ancestral territory. In a statement to CTV News, Mayana Slobodian, writing on behalf of the Ma’amtagila Tribe Society, said Smith had been leading efforts to reoccupy Hiladi Village, a traditional Ma’amtagila village site. “Dakota is not only a partner and a father of two small children, but also an important figure in the Ma’amtagila community’s efforts to return to and reoccupy our ancestral territory,” Slobodian wrote. Ambers told CTV News that Smith had gone out in his canoe to dispose of elk bones in the ocean as part of a traditional practice. His partner, Leo, was the last person to see him before raising the alarm, Ambers said. After learning Smith was missing, Ambers began organizing community members and pushing for the search to continue. “We put a t post out calling for support, updating people what had happened, that the search had gone out and had been promptly called off,” Ambers said. Several volunteers have since joined the effort, contributing boats and personnel. “There are a number of nations that have been coming out to help us,” Ambers said. Teams have been working along the coastline between the Eve River area and Naka Creek, where steep terrain and large rock formations have made some sections difficult to access. Strong winds and heavy rain have added another challenge for searchers. “If we can’t use the water to get crews onto the shoreline, it’s very difficult to get them there from inland,” Ternan said. “We sure wish everybody the best and would like a positive outcome.” he said. For Smith’s family and the Ma’amtagila community, the search continues as they hold out hope for answers about what happened to the father of two. CTV News will update this story as more information becomes available.
