CHESTERFIELD INLET - Lorraine Ipkarnerk was arrested by her daughter June 21 in Chesterfield Inlet on the charges of, "working too hard and not giving enough hugs," according to RCMP reports.

Megan Ipkarnerk arrests her mother Lorraine Ipkarnerk on the charges of "working too hard and not giving enough hugs." Megan was appointed a Mountie for the day after winning the RCMP's art contest for children in honour of National Aboriginal Day. - photo courtesy of Kurt Kamotzki

Ipkarnerk's daughter, Megan, 12, was appointed Mountie for a day as the winner of the detachment's National Aboriginal Day art contest.

Megan started her day as a Mountie by getting a tour of her new office. She was told that the first order of business was to get ready to make an arrest, said RCMP Cpl. Kurt Kamotzki.

Megan identified her mother as suspect of the above charges and prepared the arrest warrant, charge and release papers.

Megan then went to search for her mother, finding the suspect at work.

Megan said her mother was co-operative and didn't cause too many problems, except for excessive giggling.

"She was laughing," said Megan.

While Ipkarnerk may have been laughing at first, Kamotzki said her giggling stopped when Megan was ordered to take out the handcuffs.

"Her demeanour went from laughing and joking to serious pretty quick," said Kamotzki.

The rest of her mother's office also thought this justice was humorous, as Megan said they were all laughing at Ipkarnerk's arrest.

Megan said her mother did try to pass off the crime, saying Megan should have arrested her auntie instead.

Megan went through the process of bringing her mother to jail, fingerprinting, and then releasing her.

This was the first year the Chesterfield Inlet RCMP held the contest. As they were holding an ATV skills competition for persons over 14, officers felt they needed something for the children.

Kamotzki also saw this as a good opportunity for children to gain some insight into the police.

"I know a lot of kids are curious what the RCMP does," said Kamotzki. He added that some of these children might consider joining down the road.

For Megan, however, the day was mostly about getting a good laugh.

"I got to arrest my mom," she said. "It was fun."