Kent Driscoll
Northern News Services

Coppermine (July 11/05) - The manager of the Ilavut healing centre in Kugluktuk, has been suspended with pay after being charged with a violent crime.

Helen Larocque, manager of the Ilavut healing centre in Kugluktuk, seen here in Iqaluit in 2004, was charged with aggravated assault and unlawfully being in a dwelling on July 3.

Helen Laroque and another woman - Rita Pigalik also from Kugluktuk - were charged with aggravated assault and unlawfully being in a house on July 3.

Larocque, who is also a member of the hamlet council, was hired to run the corrections facility more than year ago.

The centre opened in April and helps low-risk offenders connect with Inuit traditions and societal values through counselling.

Larocque will be suspended with pay for 30 days. Her case will then be reviewed by the Justice Department.

"She will be suspended until the courts catch up with things. We take anything like this very seriously," said Ron McCormick, the director of corrections and community justice.

McCormick flew to Kugluktuk after the charges were laid and has been helping with the transition.

The inmates at the facility are "disappointed," but are carrying on with their programs, according to McCormick.

He wouldn't comment on Larocque's future.

"It's in the courts and I can't comment," he said.

The assistant manager of the facility is now the acting manager. There are 14 employees at the healing centre.

MLA Joe Allen Evyagotailak, who lobbied heavily for the facility, said he is "concerned" about the incident.

"It is up to the department to deal with it seriously. It's a high position." Evyagotailak said.

The victim of the assault was treated in Kugluktuk and was later medevaced to Stanton Territorial Hospital in Yellowknife. She has since returned to the community.

Larocque and Pigalik are scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 15.