Lloyd Brunes is an active retiree in Hay River, where he lives on the West Channel with his wife, Sharon. - Paul Bickford/NNSL photo

News/North: What's it like being president of the Hay River Seniors Society and chair of the Hay River Community Health Board?

Lloyd Brunes: Well, I've been devoting a lot of time to health care right now because of the situations that have been happening. There have been a lot of teleconferences and a lot of meeting we've had to go to Yellowknife over, but that should quieten a little now, I should think. Actually, one complements the other.

N/N: What sort of challenges are there leading two organizations?

LB: We have problems all the time. If we had no problems, it wouldn't be a challenge.... I don't think it's too much, so far anyway.

N/N: Why are you so involved in the community?

LB: You've got to keep busy. It's no sense just to sit down and look at the TV.... Once I got involved with the Seniors Society, we have been pressing to get a better building for seniors. That's one thing that started it. You get involved with that and you see other areas where you can get involved, like the hospital. You like to see the seniors get a fair shake there, too. I got involved with seniors territorially and federally, as well.

N/N: How so federally?

LB: I'm on the National Advisory Council on Aging. I was appointed to that, a part of Health Canada. We usually have four face-to-face meetings per year and then we have teleconferences.... I've been on that three years.

N/N: Why are you so involved with seniors' issues?

LB: There's more and more seniors coming on stream, if you look at Stats Canada. When I first came North, I think the people who were 65 years and over were only about seven per cent of the population here in the North. As of today, there are over 12 per cent. They say, within seven years, it will be around 20 some per cent.

N/N: How long have you been on the community health board?

LB: Just recently. Since last June or July.

N/N: Did you expect to become chair?

LB: No. I really didn't want to be chairperson, but as it turned out most of the other members have got jobs, so they can't devote the time to it. The other one who could, she's so involved with government organizations that she doesn't have the time. It was a process of elimination, I guess.

N/N: Do you have any goals with the health board?

LB: Number one, we're still not a part of the NWT health care system, per se. It's still sort of by itself. We haven't been amalgamated as of yet. It would be good to get that over with.

N/N: Do you think that Hay River's system will be eventually amalgamated into the GNWT?

LB: Oh, yeah. It will be, but when I don't know.

N/N: Are there still bitter feelings towards the GNWT for backing off its amalgamation plans?

LB: Yes. The government didn't realize at the time the cost it would take to bring Hay River in. But eventually it has to come around.

N/N: What's happening on amalgamation now?

LB: I guess it will have to wait until the government is in a better financial situation.

N/N: What did you do when you were working?

LB: I was works superintendent for the Town of Hay River for 25 years.

N/N: What were your plans when you retired?

LB: I really didn't have any, per se. I enjoy hunting and fishing, and I did that. I still do that. And we travelled a little bit, not too much. I have some family in Calgary and some still in Saskatchewan. We went around and visited them. Unfortunately, after you leave an area, people you grew up with they're either moved on to other places or passed away. So we couldn't see going out and starting all over again. We like the North.

N/N: Was there ever a thought of moving South once you retired?

LB: We thought of it, but then, after you look at things outside, they're not so rosy.

N/N: Should more people consider retiring in the North?

LB: It was the thing up until about 10 or 12 years ago. Just about everybody who was here and retired went South somewhere. But I think it's been a different trend happening now, much more so, to stay. And even some people are coming back.

N/N: Where are you from originally?

LB: I was born in southern Saskatchewan. I was married to my first wife and raised a family in Calgary. After that, I came North.

N/N: What do you do in whatever spare time you have?

LB: I keep working on old vehicles. I guess it is a hobby in one sense, but in another sense that's what we drive.

N/N: What sort of vehicles?

LB: An old Buick and an old Cadillac. The Cadillac we drive is a '78. We've got two other vehicles for parts. The Buick is also a '78. They were good cars in their day, and they still are good cars. The problem is to get parts now.

N/N: What's kept you in Hay River for over 30 years?

LB: It was the work, number one. And once we retired, we went around and looked at other places, but it would be starting all over again. We know people here, so why start all over again?

N/N: Are you going to seek to remain president of the Seniors Society and chair of the health board?

LB: Oh, no. Definitely not. As soon as we get a building going here for seniors, I think I'd like to step back and let somebody else do it. Hopefully, it will happen this coming summer. The building should be started this summer.

N/N: What about the health board?

LB: I'd like to see it get in with the GNWT, so it isn't a separate entity. I don't know how long that will take, but it could happen this coming summer. It's possible. I'm not saying it will.

N/N: What keeps you so involved in the community?

LB: Once you start something, you like to get it accomplished. Have a goal and get it accomplished. Once that's done, you can sit back and take it easy.