Tribute to Dr. Éric Dewailly (1957-2014)

February 4th, 2015

On June 17, 2014 it was with inexplicable sadness that we learned of the loss of our founding Nasivvik Director, leader, and dear friend, Dr. Éric Dewailly.  Éric was killed in a rock slide accident on the Island of La Réunion in the Indian Ocean while on vacation with his family (article).  While many tributes have been published and expressed by colleagues and friends in regards to the immeasurable impact and contribution Éric made to the research and Indigenous communities with his work (see links below) others have expressed the impact he had as a mentor and teacher on their learning and careers, myself included.  For Nasivvik, Éric’s passing marks the loss of the individual who had the vision, passion and continued belief in the importance of training along side research in the Arctic to the extent that a Centre such as Nasivvik came to be through partnership and cooperation among University researchers and Inuit organizations and communities. It can be argued that it was not only in his research and scientific contributions in the field of environmental epidemiology and Indigenous health that Éric was a pioneer.  Through his efforts and dedication in the creation and co-direction of Nasivvik since its inception he was a leader and champion in the area of research training, mentorship and community capacity building as well.  All those that have benefitted from the Nasivvik Centre through its support, training, or other forms of engagement in research and learning about Inuit environmental health issues have done so, in large part, because of Éric.  He will be missed by friends, colleagues and communities alike. We continue our work and dedication to the vision and mandate of the Nasivvik Centre in his memory.

C. Furgal
Co-Director, Nasivvik Centre

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