Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Arviat (Feb 04/02) - A coroner's jury wants to move an alternative justice camp closer to civilization.

The recommendation is the product of an inquest into the death of Bruce Aasivaaryuk, 25, of Baker Lake. He died after being caught in a blizzard while checking traplines as part of his sentence at the camp.

The inquest was conducted by Nunavut's chief coroner, Elizabeth Copland, and a six-person panel.

The jury also recommended the camp always have two snowmobiles, a qamutik and two supervisors on duty at all times. It also said offenders should be taught survival skills and have a supervisor with them when they leave the camp.

The panel heard testimony from seven witnesses during the two-day inquest in Arviat this past week.

Hamlet senior administrative officer Darren Flynn said council will discuss the camp on Feb. 12, and community consultations will be held before any decision to reopen is reached.

"If that turns out to be favourable, we'll start looking at what we have to do," said Flynn. "Ultimately, it's the community's decision. Judging from the response to a radio show we already held on the subject, there is support in the community for reopening it."

The camp is about 93 kilometres from Arviat.