Tofino residents trying to cope in the aftermath of tragedy

As the tragedy of thewhale-watching boat that capsized near Tofino, B.C settles inon residents, some are not ready to let gountil they find the Australian man who is still missing.

• Tofino whale-watching accident: Responders describe grim search for survivors

RavishamPillay, 27, was a passenger on the MV Leviathan II that capsized on Sunday with 27 passengers and crew aboard.

Five British citizens diedand 21 people were pulled from the water by residents who responded to the distress call.

"I wouldn't want to be left out there lost,"saidLennieJohn, from thecommunity of Ahousaht."I would want to be brought home,"

John says he hasn'tstopped looking.

"Always have an eye out," he said,"less time I am on the land, the better.It's tough because I didn't find him," he said.

Facing trauma

The Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council has been offering mental health services and traditional healing gatherings, including a community dinner effective coping mechanisms for those who have undergone traumasays a counsellor.

"It's very effective. Part of recovery is putting narrative to the story. It has always been part of traditional healing," saidBruceRamsay, whospecializes in critical incident stress management.

"When you talk about the events, you start to make sense of it," he said.

"Seeking to find meaning is every bit as important as getting it.Their processes are very very good."

But John says he isn't ready to find peace until the search is complete.

"I'd rather stay away from that," he said. "I know it's a celebration, but I come from a different family, different teachings.We don't celebrate death or anything like it, until it is all over. Until it is all totally shut down and stand down for the search."

To hear the full interview listen to the audio labelledTofino resident not ready to give up on search for missing manon CBC'sOn The Island.