ManitobaSteffen Skjottelvik died while trekking through northern Manitoba. He’s being remembered for the adventurous life he lived, and for the way he embraced First Nations people and culture while travelling through Canada. Steffen Skjottelvik had an adventurous life and a love of First Nations cultureCBC News · Posted: Sep 02, 2025 7:17 AM EDT | Last Updated: 5 hours agoA memorial held in Winnipeg on Monday saw more than 100 mourners gather to remember the life of Steffen Skjottelvik, whose body was discovered on Aug. 23 near the banks of the Hayes River, not far from York Factory, Man. (Travis Golby)A Norwegian hiker who died while trekking through northern Manitoba is being remembered for the adventurous life he lived, and the way he embraced First Nations people and culture while travelling through Canada.More than 100 mourners gathered at a memorial in Winnipeg Monday, to mark the life of Steffen Skjottelvik, whose body was discovered on Aug. 23, along the banks of the Hayes River, not far from York Factory, Man.Skjottelvik left Fort Severn, Ont. on foot on July 25 and planned to arrive in York Factory on Aug. 15 — a distance of more than 300 kilometres along the shore of Hudson Bay. But he didn’t arrive on time, setting off a massive search and rescue effort that ultimately led to the discovery of his body.Officials have confirmed the 29-year-old man drowned while trying to cross the Hayes River.Skjottelvik’s sister Henriette Lauritzen Skjottelvik spoke at Monday’s service, and said although the family is grieving his death, they are also grateful he spent his life living out his dreams.Henriette Lauritzen Skjottelvik spoke at a memorial service in Winnipeg on Monday held to remember her brother Steffen Skjottelvik, whose body was discovered on Aug. 23 near the banks of the Hayes River, not far from York Factory, Man. (Travis Golby/CBC)”There are no words that fully can describe our grief and loss,” she said. “To lose a son, a brother and a dear family member is not something any human being should experience.”But in our sorrow, we lean on how happy Steffen was fulfilling his dreams and goals here in Canada.”She said despite her brother knowing the risks of the journey he was attempting “nothing could stop him.””To have that passion and to let it lead you should be an example to follow for all of us,” she said. Members of Skjottelvik ‘s family travelled from Norway to Winnipeg to attend the memorial service, along with First Nations community members and leaders from several communities in Ontario and Manitoba.According to family members, Skjottelvik settled in Peawanuck, a remote fly-in community in northern Ontario in 2023, where he quickly embraced the First Nations people and the culture.”On the way he met the people of Canada and fell in love with the ways of living here, together with First Nations,” Henriette said.”The respect and love of nature, humbleness and how to deal with the greatness of mother Earth must have been giving Steffen so much answers and meaning.”Images of Steffen Skjottelvik were displayed at a memorial service in Winnipeg on Monday held to remember the life of the Norwegian trekker who died while trekking on foot in northern Manitoba. (Travis Golby/CBC)She also thanked the people and communities who came together to search for her brother after he went missing, including volunteers from the Fort Severn First Nation, where Skjottelvik spent time before attempting his journey to York Factory. “My family and I are also deeply touched by the effort made from the search teams,” she said.Georgina Wabano who is from Peawanuck and became friends with Skjottelvik while he was living there, said he fully embraced the community and First Nations traditions. “The beautiful thing about Steffen is he loved the land and the ways of our people, our culture,” Wabano said.Mary Koostachin, who is originally from the Fort Severn First Nation, said although she never met Skjottelvik personally, she wanted to be at the memorial service after learning about his journey.”He did something that just really inspired us, and put more pride in us as First Nations people,” Koostachin said.WATCH | Mourners gather in Winnipeg to honour, remember Steffen Skjottelvik: Mourners gather in Winnipeg to honour, remember Steffen Skjottelvik The grieving family of a Norwegian trekker who was found dead along the banks of the Hayes River in northern Manitoba was in Winnipeg Monday for a funeral service to honour their loved one. With files from Gavin Axelrod and Dave Baxter
Family members, First Nations leaders gather to remember trekker
