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CORAL HARBOUR - Suzie Angootealuk retired from the Coral Harbour community justice committee this past month after serving as a member for the past 20 years.

Angootealuk, speaking through hamlet executive assistant and interpreter Louisa Kudluk, said it was time to retire at 70 years of age.

Elder Suzie Angootealuk retired from the community justice program in Coral Harbour earlier this month after serving 20 years on the local justice committee. - photo courtesy of Rob Hedley

She said she served so long because she always enjoyed being a committee member and trying to help people turn their lives around.

"I've always wanted to do whatever I could to help the youth in our community and try to make a difference in somebody's young life," said Angootealuk.

"It's a special feeling to know I helped some people straighten their lives out during my years on the justice committee."

Angootealuk said the community justice program is the best way to deal with young people who are first-time offenders.

She said the justice committee is able to deal with them quicker than the courts, and shows them how their actions can hurt others in the community.

"I notice a big difference when a first offender goes through the courts instead of the justice committee.

"When they go through the courts, their court dates are often prolonged and it can take a very long time for them to get through the system.

"But, the justice committee deals with the matter a lot faster and the experience helps a young person see the brighter future that could be in their life."

Angootealuk said no justice committee is perfect, but she has seen many Coral first-time offenders stay out of trouble after spending time with the elders.

She said often, the elders will see people they have dealt with out in the community and they're far more gentle and friendly towards them.

"Seeing people do well in the community who I helped always gave me more strength.

"And, having parents approach me to express their appreciation for what we did always lifted my spirits."

Angootealuk said if she had the power to make changes to the Community Justice Program in Coral, the first thing she would do would be to build a cabin or a camp site on the land away from the community.

She said the purpose of the camp would be to deal with re-offenders who dealt with the justice committee, but continued to do bad things.

"Hopefully, time with the elders at a camp like that would help them see they would enjoy life a lot more if they didn't commit any more offences and became good members of the community.

"I may be retired, but if I'm needed for some reason, I'll continue to support families going through a tough time."