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Following a volunteer effort involving up to 60 persons, Percy James Poucachiche was discovered
After getting lost for 33 days in the forest in northern Quebec, a young Anishinaabe man from Lac Simon was discovered, weak but alive.
Following a significant search effort by volunteers, Percy James Poucachiche was located on August 24 across the lake from his hometown of Lac Simon.
Approximately 600 kilometers north of Montreal, Lac Simon is situated between Senneterre and Val d’Or.
On July 23, the missing 26-year-old was reported.
“Everyone is happy. The neighborhood and the council Everyone came together and participated, demonstrating the community’s strength “Daniel Pien, who worked with a large number of individuals to coordinate the search and receive assistance from the Sûreté du Québec.
Photo Credits – Radio-Canada/Marc-André Landry
“His mother believed she would eventually find him. She was always optimistic “said Pien. “She prayed. She was surrounded by a lot of strong females that encouraged and supported her.”
In order to stay close to his community, Poucachiche made the decision to pitch a tent in the nearby bush on July 21. His mother made arrangements to bring him dinner because it was something he had previously done.
However, Poucachiche was not there the following night after she brought food. She called the local police the following day to report him missing.
In addition to Val d’Or and other nearby villages, searchers also came from Lac Simon. There were occasionally more than 60 searchers.
According to Pien, “others came, including Quebecers from Val d’Or, and brought contributions, coffee, and doughnuts for the volunteers and searches.”
Additionally, some Atikamekw and Anishinaabe volunteers arrived to assist. Neighbors who are Cree brought water.
The search was assisted by dogs from the Sûreté du Québec, who also searched the lake, but they came up empty-handed.
Two local fishermen from Lac Simon heard something on the evening of August 23 across the lake.
“About 8:45 p.m., it was getting dark. Police in the area were contacted for help. I’m Percy Poucachiche, the man stated when the policeman asked him to identify himself after the boat had crossed the lake “Pien said.
An ambulance, police, and other locals were waiting for Poucachiche when they took him to the shore.
Poucachiche, according to Pien, had clearly lost strength from being so long in the wild.
“He had difficulty walking. He was practically exhausted. He was starving. He didn’t have enough to eat, which nearly made his face shrink “replied Pien.
Pien claimed that Poucachiche survived on a diet of blueberries and rabbits, but he is mostly in the dark as to how Poucachiche spent those 33 days.
“The mother got a call from someone. He was picked up and given a big hug as she opened the ambulance’s doors.”
Poucachiche stayed in the hospital for one night before returning home with his mother.
A special evening was hosted in the community to honor the searchers and volunteers.
