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TUKTOYAKTUK - Tuktoyaktuk Mayor Merven Gruben said he was hesitant to impose an alcohol ban in his community during the Beluga Jamboree spring carnival April 14 to 21, but he said he is glad it went ahead.

"It was more positive than I expected," Gruben said, later adding that a long-term restriction is in the offing. "People were calling me and saying how great it was. Elders were telling me they were glad I did it. One of the elders told me it was just like it was in the old days when there was not so much influence (of alcohol).

"I wouldn't hesitate to do it again."

The RCMP reported only seven alcohol-related incidents out of 13 total complaints during this year's Beluga Jamboree. Last year there was a total of 21 complaints, 13 of which involved alcohol.

The police were very pleased with the outcome of the temporary ban, according to Nathan White, acting sergeant for the Tuktoyaktuk RCMP.

"It was kind of new waters for us, we didn't really know what to expect," he said. "People in the community seemed to respect the decision of the council."

Sarah Krengnektak, manager of Aboriginal Healing Foundation programs, recently criticized Gruben and council for a lack of leadership in dealing with alcohol problems in the community. She was encouraged to see them taking strides towards a healthier community.

"The ban went really well, it's definitely something that could work here," she said. "It was good to see the community out and sober. The general comments on the streets were that people were happy about it."

In February, community members gathered at a public meeting to discuss a possible alcohol restriction and the idea received strong support.

"Every community has their problems and you have to start somewhere," Gruben said.

"There is going to be some sort of (lasting) restriction. It's still being worked on. We're just making sure we get everything right and in place before we move forward."

Gruben said his senior administrative officer is working with the Community Government of Behchoko on how to properly enact a restriction. Behchoko had a restriction until earlier this month when residents voted to ban alcohol outright, something Gruben said Tuk is not seriously considering.

"People are going to be looking for something else if there isn't any alcohol," he said.

The lack of support for a restriction is only coming from a few people in the community of close to 900, according to Gruben, but alcohol limits will be adopted one way or another.

"I got shit for not doing nothing, the leadership doing nothing and I got shit this past week for doing too much," he said.

"It's a balancing act. You're damned if you do, damned if you don't.

"Tuk is not a bad place. We're moving forward and a lot is happening."