Trout Lake (Apr 22/05) - Being a good guy has paid off in many ways for elder Joe Punch.

He is the winner of the 2005 NWT Outstanding Elder Volunteer Award from the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs.

Punch is a familiar face at gatherings and events. He regularly catches and cooks fish and offers advice and shares stories with youth.

"I just want to help people. It makes me feel pretty good, too," he said. "Wherever I travel, they know me. They're happy to see me and I'm happy to see them."

A brief biography provided by MACA describes Punch this way: "His friendly and generous nature makes people feel good about themselves. Community spirit is important to Mr. Punch. He seeks to nourish the spirit by encouraging community members to fully participate in celebrations, feasts, community workshops and other events."

Trout Lake's Margaret Jumbo can vouch for Punch's character.

She moved to the community in the 1970s and said she has known him to be up as early as 5 a.m. to prepare for feasts.

He doesn't hesitate to lend a hand in other communities either, Jumbo added.

A friend of her family's, she said Punch sometimes pulls fish from his nets and freely supplies them to those in need. "He likes sharing with people," said Jumbo.

He not only willingly donates his time (and fish), he has given a financial contribution to the youth in his home community of Trout Lake.

In Inuvik Monday night to receive his award, Punch generously asked that the $500 grant that accompanies the elder volunteer award be given to Charles Tetcho school.

It had been a long time since he was last in Inuvik. In 1971, he was there for six weeks for a lay-dispenser's course, he recalled. He has also been in that area for a Dene Nation meeting.

His daughter, Phoebe, accompanied him on the trip earlier this week.

The other outstanding volunteers recognized at Monday's ceremony were: Michael Lafferty of Fort Resolution (Individual Award); Brittany Scott of Fort Smith (Youth Award); and Ecology North of Yellowknife (Group Award).