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MITTIMATALIK/POND INLET
For most 78-year-olds, one of the last places they would want to spend their days and nights is in an RCMP jail. That is, unless they are Paniloo Sangoya.

RCMP Sgt. Stephen Thorne, left, and Pond Inlet mayor Jaykolasie Killiktee, right, present detachment jail guard Paniloo Sangoya, 78, with the Commissionaires Long Service Medal Sept. 22. - photo courtesy of Marjorie Dobson

At first, this long-time Pond Inlet resident had to fend off assaults, but those were the early days. Today, 12 years later, his eyesight is failing but his health is otherwise good. He doesn't know how much longer he will be at the jail, but at least people don't push him around anymore; which is good because it's no way to treat an elder – or a jail guard.

Sangoya started helping at the detachment in 1999 under Sgt. Charlie Audlakiak, and remembers the early days when inmates would attack him before returning a few days later, sober, to apologize.

Most of his work is pretty straightforward: "write a report every five, 10 or 15 minutes" of his eight-hour shift, he said, noting that sometimes he has to work 12 hours if there aren't any other guards available.

There have been few scary moments and some strange ones, including a time when he had to guard a person who was acting strangely and making loud, low voices, he says.

Mostly, though, it's rewarding work that he hopes to do as long as his health is good, and as long as they want him there.

"I would have retired when I turned 65," he said, "but I have the urge to help others."

That attitude is what helped him earn the Commissionaires Long Service Medal this fall.

"We call him at any given time, day or night, and ask him to come in unscheduled to guard for us," detachment commander Sgt. Steve Thorne said. "That could be at 1 or 2 in the morning, without any previous notice."

His job is to make sure prisoners are safe and secure, so he doesn't wear a uniform and often speaks to prisoners to discuss their problems.

"He's able to speak to them and tries to help them resolve their problems," Thorne said. "It's important because they are able to relate to the elder, they have respect for their elders, and they listen when their elders have words of advice for them. Generally, they adhere to what the elders say and don't get in trouble again down the road."

Still, Sangoya never expected to be honoured for doing his job.

"I was surprised when they gave me the certificate and the award, and didn't think that they give out awards for anything like that. And never thought that I would get awards for it in my life."

The recognition will not slow down the 78-year-old.

"Since I have no problems with my health, I will keep working," he said. "I will continue to do what I am doing for the community. But if I am asked to resign from my job, I will."

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