N.W.T. elder awarded bravery medal

An elder from Fort Good Hope, N.W.T., has been awarded a Medal of Bravery for protecting his wife and three grandchildren from an armed intruder three years ago.

Thomas Manuel Sr. received the medal, which recognizes acts of bravery in hazardous circumstances, from Gov. Gen. David Johnston in a ceremony Friday in Ottawa.

"It's a very special day for Thomas," Belinda Gully, the mother of two of Manuel's grandchildren, told CBC News in advance of Friday's award ceremony.

"Thank you, Thomas," an emotional Gully added. "If it wasn't for you, my children wouldn't be here."

Manuel was shot and severely injured by an 18-year-old man who had broken into his house on July 16, 2007, in Fort Good Hope, a remote community located 800 kilometres northwest of Yellowknife.

Alexis Taureau pleaded guilty in 2008 in connection with the home invasion. He was sentenced to seven years in jail.

Shot in face, neck, stomach

According to an agreed statement of facts presented at Taureau's sentencing hearing, the young man broke into Manuel's house and started firing a shotgun loaded with buckshot-filled shells.

Manuel, who was 73 at the time, was shot in the neck and stomach when he tried to stop Taureau.

The injured elder along with his wife, Denise, and their three grandchildren barricaded themselves in the master bedroom. Manuel made a rope out of bed sheets and shirts and guided everyone out of the house safely.

Once outside the house, Manuel tried to distract his attacker, but Taureau shot the elder in the face and fled. Taureau was arrested a short time later.

Manuel underwent weeks of surgery in Edmonton as a result of the attack. The court heard Manuel had about 23 shotgun pellets embedded in his body, including two that damaged his left eye.

Denise Manuel was treated for back and wrist injuries she sustained while trying to climb out of the house.