SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - The MLA for the Sahtu told fellow MLAs on Feb. 2 he is happy a minor heart attack he suffered in November was not fatal.

"I'm certainly glad to be alive today," said Norman Yakeleya in his members' statement.

The 51-year-old politician was medevaced to Edmonton after a minor heart attack on Nov. 25. He was able to return to his residence in Yellowknife on Dec. 3.

"I want to express appreciation for people who made phone calls to me, who talked to my wife," said Yakeleya.

Before handing the floor to another MLA,,Speaker and MLA for Hay River North Paul Delorey said he was happy to see Yakeleya doing well.

"I'm sure I speak for all members when I say we're happy to be talking to you and not about you," said Delorey.

Program for family violence offenders

A voluntary rehabilitation program aimed at those guilty of domestic assault will begin next month.

"It is an option for low-risk offenders who are willing to take on the responsibility for what they've done and participate in the treatment program," said Justice Minister Jackson Lafferty in the legislative assembly on Feb. 10.

The first eight-week session of the program will start on March 10, and assistant deputy minister of Justice Karan Shaner said both Crown and defence lawyers are already considering people for entry.

The program is for low-to-medium-risk offenders who plead guilty to assault on a family member in territorial court. The judge makes the final decision whether the program would be suitable for the offender.

The level of risk is decided case-by-case on factors such as their criminal record and the circumstances of their case. Offenders of violent crimes such as aggravated assault or assault with a weapon are usually considered high-risk. As well, the offenders will be out on bail while going through the program so they must not be deemed risks to society or further risk to the victims of abuse.

Shaner said the program has cultural elements and was developed in the NWT.

"The end result ... is basically to try to rehabilitate offenders and teach them how to deal with things in ways other than violence and anger," she said.

The offenders will check in with the court system probably every two weeks to give updates on their progress so a judge can decide if the program is working for them.

"The hope is at the end of the program there is enough demonstrated rehab that it is not necessary to send the person to jail," said Shaner.

Thank you, may I have another?

After thanking the government for helping Ulukhaktok set up an arts and crafts centre, Nunakput MLA Jackie Jacobson mentioned that Tuktoyaktuk could use a carving centre.

"Between Tuk, Ulukhaktok and Sachs (Harbour), Sachs has the muskox (industry), Ulukhaktok has the print shop and carving shop, now will the minister (of Industry, Tourism and Investment Bob McLeod) help me to work with a committee out of Tuk to get a carving shop?" asked Jacobson.

McLeod said the department could work with Jacobson to develop something, but said there is industry in each of Nunakput's four communities, including Tuktoyaktuk which has access to the largest oil and gas reserves in the territory.

The Ulukhaktok Arts Centre hopes to employ six printmakers, three knitters, and 10 carvers, and will host workshops. It received funding from the Northwest Territories Business Development and Investment Corporation to operate and manage costs.

"When the community has pride in arts and crafts that we create of our ancestry, these creations result in a prouder community," said Jacobson.

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.