Brodie Thomas
Northern News Services
Published Monday, August 11, 2008

TSIIGEHTCHIC/ARCTIC RED RIVER - The community of Tsiigehtchic has recently begun lobbying for full time RCMP and nursing staff, and the calls are largely coming from a young voice.

Charlene Blake, 23, has been leading the push for increased services since the stabbing death of a Fort McPherson man in Tsiigehtchic during the Canada Day long weekend.

In the days following the stabbing, Blake wrote an open letter to the government calling for the same health and policing services as other NWT communities. Mackenzie Delta MLA David Krutko saw Blake's letter and advised her to start a petition, which she did.

"He said he was going to raise it in the next assembly," said Blake.

Her campaign was also noticed at the Dene National Assembly, where delegates passed a unanimous motion calling for the Dene Nation to assist in lobbying for full time staffing in the community.

"One of the people who was at the assembly from Tsiigehtchic told me the resolution was passed," she said. "I didn't know they were going to do that."

Currently, Tsiigehtchic has a nurse at the health centre only one day a week. RCMP officers travel to the community from Inuvik or Fort McPherson when services are required, but it can take up to two hours for them to arrive.

With the recent reopening of the Sachs Harbour RCMP detachment, people in Tsiigehtchic have high hopes that service might also be restored to their community.

"Historically the RCMP had a presence in the community," said Krutko. "I don't see why they can't have a presence again similar to what they have in Sachs Harbour."

He said having even one officer at all times would have a positive influence. Krutko said housing for the officer is already available.

"We just opened a new office and shop, but there are also accommodations in the facility." he said.

"One of the ideas was to offer that room to the police when they come to the community so they can't say they don't have a place to stay."

Krutko said he has met with both Health Minister Sandy Lee and Justice Minister Jackson Lafferty about upgrading the services.

The Mackenzie Delta MLA is also planning a public meeting later this month to discuss further developments with community residents.