Volunteers found the body Monday of Victor Allen, 80. In this photo, he is seen dancing at National Aboriginal Day celebrations in Inuvik on June 21, 2008. (Philippe Morin/CBC)

Family members searching the Mackenzie River near Inuvik, N.W.T., have found the body of local elder Victor Allen, a week and a half after he and three other relatives died in a boating accident.

RCMP have confirmed that the body of Allen, 80, was found in the river on Monday afternoon. It surfaced about 150 metres from where the bodies of Delma Kisoun and her seven-year-old daughter Asta were recovered on July 25.

"Because it was under water, nature had to take its course before it surfaced and floated," Staff Sgt. Bill Eubank, who heads up the Inuvik RCMP, told CBC News on Tuesday.

"I'm glad it will bring to a close the issues for some of the relatives. However, there is still one fellow missing."

Family members say they are continuing to search for Isaac Shingatok, 49.

In the western Arctic town of 3,500, residents say they are relieved to hear the respected elder's body has finally been found.

"If we can get anything good out of this, we can celebrate the life of Victor Allen … and the way I remember him," said John Holman, one of Allen's close friends.

"Live life the way he taught us to live it, and we'll be better people for it."

Boat capsized in rough waters

The four relatives are believed to have died when the boat they were in capsized in rough waters on the river around July 24.

A fifth family member, Kisoun's 13-year-old son, Peyton Kisoun-Hind, was the sole survivor of the accident.

The group was travelling to a traditional Inuvialuit beluga whale hunting camp on the Beaufort Sea coast.

Their 5.5-metre-long boat capsized in rough waters, throwing all five into the river. Peyton Kisoun-Hind swam to safety and was rescued a day and a half later.

RCMP called off its official search for Allen and Shingatok on July 28, but dozens of relatives continued to comb a section of the river, about 70 kilometres north of Inuvik. The police force has been providing logistical assistance to searchers.