Welder's Daughter gets equipment back after theft in Fort Simpson, N.W.T.
Local musicians offered up instruments; community members searched for missing gear
Northern rock band Welder's Daughter were planning a gig in Fort Simpson, N.W.T., for more than a year, but the show almost didn't go on after their equipment was stolen on Friday night.
The band had just arrived in town to set up at the recreation centre for a show on Saturday, and left their equipment in the locked venue that night.
"We got there in the morning," says lead singer Karen Novak, "and noticed that things weren't where they should be and that the back door had been pried open. So we immediately called the RCMP."
Two guitars, two iPads, various cords, headphones and microphones were stolen from the venue — totalling about $10,000. Among the instruments, Novak says, was a very rare custom guitar.
"One of only 47 in the world. So that alone, that guitar alone was about a $5,000 item that we don't normally take out on the road, but we wanted something special for Fort Simpson."
Novak says they were in shock, and put a call out to local musicians on social media, asking to borrow some instruments.
"We were trying to just keep the show going."
The result, she says, was amazing.
Immediately musicians in town stepped up to lend high quality instruments. Others approached the band members in town offering to bring more equipment. The mayor even offered to cover the financial loss.
"We would've been able to play regardless of being able to find our own instruments because of the amazing support in the community," Novak says.
Show goes on, 2 youth arrested
While local musicians were pulling instruments out of their basements and attics, other community members were on the hunt for the thief or thieves.
Novak says people searched their homes and in dumpsters. Eventually a couple found some of the equipment in their nephew's closet. From there, the RCMP found the rest of the items.
By 5 p.m. Saturday, Novak says they had every single item back and intact.
RCMP say two suspects were arrested. An 18-year-old man is facing two charges for breaking and entering to commit theft. A second man has been diverted to a community justice program.
For her part, Novak says she didn't push for charges to be laid against the people who took their equipment.
"I don't think they really knew what their actions were. They were younger, and perhaps aren't aware of the damage that they not only did for our livelihood, but also to the spirit of the community."
But she says it was great to see the community come together at the show Saturday night.
"The community members expressed that they were embarrassed, ashamed and I think they all got together and rallied together and proved to us and to everybody that a couple of bad apples don't a community make," Novak says. "It was an amazing group effort.
"I don't think you could've wiped the smile off our face that night."