IQALUIT, Nunavut -- Searchers have rescued a missing member of the Nunavut legislature and his two companions, who hadn't been seen in more than a week after setting out on the tundra of Baffin Island.

Ed Zebedee of the territorial government's Department of Protection Services confirmed in an email that Pauloosie Keyootak, his son Atamie Qiyuqtaq and Peter Kakkik were spotted by a search airplane on Thursday.

He said they were picked up by a CF Cormorant helicopter, returned to Iqaluit and taken to the local hospital to be checked out.

The trio left the capital of Iqaluit more than a week ago for an overnight snowmobile trip to Pangnirtung. They didn't arrive the next day as expected and a search was launched.

The well-travelled route is about 300 kilometres long over tundra and mountain passes and has several cabins along the way. Search parties from both communities retraced the route and were revisiting some areas for a second search.

The trio had been described as experienced hunters with good survival skills.

This time of year sees many Nunavummiut out on the land to take advantage of long days and lingering snow and sea ice for hunting or visiting friends and relations after a long winter.