Ulukhaktok woman gets house arrest for $60K theft

A woman who stole $60,000 from the Ulukhaktok Hunters and Trappers Association was sentenced to house arrest earlier this month.

According to court documents, Lillian Kanayok admitted to taking the money between April 2012 and June 2013, when she was the association’s office manager.

Kanayok said she spent the money gambling online, a habit that began after she attended Truth and Reconciliation hearings in Inuvik.

She said the gambling helped her deal with emotions and memories the event stirred up in her.

Kanayok moved to Yellowknife to attend school shortly before the theft was discovered.

Justice Shannon Smallwood sentenced her to two years less a day, but allowed her to serve the sentence in the community under strict conditions. For 15 months of that time, Kanayok will be under house arrest.

Kanayok was also ordered to repay $9,500 to the Ulukhaktok Hunters and Trappers Association while serving her sentence and will be on probation for a year after her sentence is served. Kanayok was ordered to continue repaying the association a minimum of $200 a month after her sentence is completed.