Time for violence to end, says Gameti victim's sister

Family members of the Gameti, N.W.T., woman who was beaten to death by her common-law husband in 2009 are speaking out about violence in communities.

Last week, the Northwest Territories’ chief coroner laid out recommendations to curb domestic violence in the territory.

The report was prompted by the 2009 death of Alice Black, who was 31. Black’s common-law husband, Terry Vital, is now serving a manslaughter sentence in relation to her death.

Black's younger sister, Tina Black, says it's time for domestic and family-related violence to end. Tina has been trying to heal over the loss of her sister, but she said the wounds run deep.

"I can never forgive him for what he has done to my sister, because I will never see her," Tina Black said. "He took her away from us with a snap of a finger just like that, just because he was angry."

Lyda Fuller, who works with the Yellowknife YWCA, said more community support is needed for victims of violence in communities.

"It takes more than just one person to try and intervene when it's at the height of the violence, and one person is not enough," said Fuller.

Tina Black, who lived out of town, said she begged her sister Alice to leave. But with no counsellor, no safe house and no RCMP in Gameti, she felt she had no support.

She said since her sister's death, nothing has changed in the community, where alcohol is prohibited.

Tina Black said she agrees with the coroner's report, which said the government needs to make a clear plan for victims of domestic violence.

"I know there is still violence here and there. There are people drinking and smuggling stuff. And yeah, I think it would do a great deal for us," she said.

Vital had been drinking alcohol on the day of Black's murder. The YWCA often cites alcohol as an aggravating factor in domestic violence in the North.

Fuller wants the government to fully commit to a pilot program focused on changing men's behaviour.

"That's where we've all put our hopes because it's been effective in other places. We've tailored it to the North. It's ready to be piloted — women have been asking for this forever," said Fuller.

Fuller said the N.W.T. government has given that program $190,000, but she said it needs $100,000 more to function.

Fuller is also concerned that the territorial government cancelled funding for emergency shelter programs in communities without RCMP officers. Fuller said this can further isolate victims who feel they have nowhere to turn to.