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NEWS BRIEFS: Body of missing Behchoko man found

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Behchoko/Rae

The body of missing 21-year-old Jermaine Camsell was found Wednesday near Behchoko, bringing a tragic end to an exhaustive search effort carried out by law enforcement and community volunteers. The Behchoko man's body was recovered from Marion Lake by Behchoko Search and Rescue near the community around 7:30 p.m., stated an RCMP news release.

He was pronounced dead on the scene.

Camsell was reported missing on July 29, prompting ground, water and air searches throughout the area.

During the search effort, police stated they believed Camsell had used two kayaks – later recovered by RMCP – on the night of July 28.

A post mortem examination of Casmell's body has been ordered by the NWT Coroner Service. RMCP, who are continuing to assist the Coroner's Office with the investigation, have not yet said if Casmell's death has been deemed suspicious or not suspicious.

Numerous social media users expressed condolences to Casmell's family online following the discovery.

"R.I.P. Jermaine and prayers to the Camsell family ... You're in a better place, J.C.," wrote one Facebook user.

Numerous agencies and volunteers, including Casmell's family, assisted in the search effort.

"The RCMP would like to thank the volunteers, Behchoko Search and Rescue, GNWT Department of Environment and Natural Resources, forestry crew, Civil Air Search and Rescue Association (CASARA), Community Government of Behchoko, Yellowknife Ground Search and Rescue and all agencies that assisted with the search," stated the Mounties' release.

– Brendan Burke

 

Edehzhie protection approved

Deh Cho

Edehzhie, an area encompassing the Horn Plateau, will be the first official protected area in the Dehcho.

The area will be managed through the Edehzhie Management Board, the Dehcho K'ehodi Guardians and the Canadian Wildlife Service, drawing on both traditional knowledge and Western science to guide their monitoring and conservation activities.

The Dehcho Annual Assembly voted to establish the Dehcho Protected Area Law on July 25 and authorized new Grand Chief Gladys Norwegian to sign an establishment agreement with Canada. Norwegian and other Dehcho leaders will host federal Environment Minister Catherine McKenna this fall to conduct an official signing ceremony, according to a Dehcho First Nations' press release.

– Tim Edwards

 

Health and social services ministers meet

In advance of the meeting in Halifax late last month of provincial and territorial ministers responsible for social services, health and social services ministers from Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut met to discuss key areas of strategic collaboration to improve outcomes in health and social services across the North.

The ministers discussed ways to strengthen working relationships between the territories and looked at developing common approaches to Northern health and social services initiatives.

"I am pleased to work with our territorial government partners to examine how we can improve health and social services outcomes for NWT residents," stated NWT Health and Social Services Minister Glen Abernethy.

– James O'Connor