Single-vehicle crash leaves Lutsel K'e, N.W.T., man seeking bootlegger crackdown

A single-vehicle crash in Lutsel K'e that left one person in hospital is causing family members grief and leading one in particular with questions about the state of his community.

"We can't sweep this under the rug," said JC Catholique, who's been a social worker in Lutsel K'e for 30 years. He says alcohol has been an issue in the community for a long time.

The problem hit home for Catholique this week when a family member was injured in a vehicle accident. One person rolled a vehicle and was transported by emergency aircraft to Yellowknife. 

Lutsel K'e RCMP continue to investigate the incident. No charges have been laid, but the RCMP said alcohol may be a factor. 

Technically, Lutsel K'e has been dry since 1976, but a number of bootleggers have been investigated in the community.

Catholique said the crash is a wake up call for him, his family and the entire community. 

"We've buried so many people because of alcohol," he said. "Take that responsibility. You have to blame yourself. Don't blame nobody else." 

RCMP say so far this year they've opened 91 investigations in Lutsel K'e 86 of them involve alcohol. Six were for bootlegging, although none lead to charges under the territory's Liquor Act.

Catholique isn't surprised.

"The bootleggers are the most protected people," he said. "There's no bootleggers that have ever been charged."

Catholique says that needs to change, and he's calling on his community to shut the bootleggers down.