Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Rankin Inlet (Aug 10/05) - A tear lands softly on Rose Tootoo's cheek as she cradles the three championship rings in the palm of her hand.

The mounted diamonds glitter in the afternoon light; a sparkling tribute to the precious memories locked within.

Rose Tootoo displays her son's (Terence) three MJHL championship rings which were returned to the family in Rankin Inlet nearly three years after his death.

For the still grieving mother, it is a bittersweet moment.

She wipes away the tear and manages a smile, for a piece of her son, Terence, has just come home.

The championship rings Terence Tootoo received for leading the OCN Blizzard to three Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) titles were among his most prized possessions.

The rings - along with other personal items - were stolen from Terence's impounded vehicle at a local towing company after his sudden death in Brandon, Man., in August of 2002.

The brother of Nashville Predators star, Jordin Tootoo, Terence became the first Inuk to ink a professional hockey contract when he signed with the Roanoke Express of the East Coast Hockey League.

He was 22 at the time of his death.

Rose said the family had originally been contacted by Brandon City Police Sgt. Rick Semler when the police gained possession of the rings.

From there, they had to pass through an insurance company representative and the family lawyer before finally being returned.

"Having the rings returned was like having a piece of Terence come home to us," said Rose. "But, there will never be complete closure for Barney (Terence's dad) and I because our boy is gone."

The rings reportedly surfaced at a party in Portage la Prairie, Man., this past February.

A female who attended the party phoned a radio announcer in Brandon, who relayed the information to city police.

The police worked through a third individual to gain possession of the rings before contacting the Tootoo family.

Rose said the family plans to have the three rings housed in a custom-made display case along with Jordin's MJHL championship ring and the ring he received for winning the Tom Longboat award, symbolic of aboriginal excellence in sports.

She said the family is grateful to the individual who came forward with the information on the ring's whereabouts.

"We're very happy to have Terence's rings back where they belong.

"Our son lives on through the birth of our daughter's (Corinne) son, Terence, who was born on April 25, 2005."