Coppermine (Jan 22/07) - Politicians are often accused of being all talk and no action.

Kitikmeot Inuit Association (KIA) president Donald Havioyak has demonstrated that he may talk for a living, but he is capable of action when the time comes.

Havioyak was visiting family in Kugluktuk for Christmas, and went outside with his wife for a cigarette. That cigarette may have helped saved someone's life.

"My wife saw some flames through the window, and I decided to go there, because there was no one else around," said Havioyak.

He approached the residence on the west side, but the flames were already too high. He quickly moved to the north side of the house.

"There was a young lady there, running back and forth. She said there was someone in there," said Havioyak.

He said he did what he thinks anybody would do, he went in. He had to duck down to enter the home as smoke was rapidly filling the hall.

"I noticed someone on the floor, and there was so much smoke. I had to go back out and get a deep breath. She was a little heavy to lift, but I got her to the door," said Havioyak.

Once he reached the door, the young woman assisted him in getting the occupant out of the burning house.

"I was just in the right place at the right time. I knew the person was there, and I can't just let things go," Havioyak said.

"A few hours after all this happened, my hands were shaking just thinking about it."

He is humble about being a life saver.

"People are congratulating me, but anyone would have done the same thing. I'm a politician, not a firefighter," said Havioyak.