S/Sgt Wayne Norris Returns to Inuvik in Full Plume

By Shafia u sman

After 25 years of service with the RCMP, Wayne Norris received the highest rank an Inuvialuit member has received; the rank of Staff Sergeant.

Norris never intended to be an RCMP officer. In December 1985, he was training at Transport Canada to become a vehicle heavy equipment technician when a conversation with Cst. Frank Carpenter and his son Merle changed the course of his life. “They both kind of talked to me about it and twisted my arm,” said Norris. “They got me interested enough… I guess I probably lacked some confidence back then.” Frank and Merle were just the push that Norris needed. Eight months later Norris was sworn in as a special constable and he has never looked back.

Soon after Norris was promoted to a regular member. “I started my career working my first eight years in Inuvik and Aklavik,” continued Norris, “Then moved to the southern end of the territory with my wife Rhonda and our three children.” Norris has had a colourful career. He was in charge of “G” Division Aboriginal Policing Services before eventually moving on to Federal Enforcement. There was even a time while in the Federal Enforcement that Norris was responsible for the Prime Minister’s security. Norris has also provided security for the Governor General Michaëlle Jean, Prince Andrew and the Olympic torch while it was in the north. “You know for a young fella coming from Inuvik and to experience some of the things that I’ve done. Is pretty interesting,” Norris said with a smile. “To be able to fly in a Challenger Jet with these people and to travel around with them is just [its an honor].”

“I’ve had all kinds of experiences,” Norris said as he reflected on his 25 years of service. “After 25 years I was getting close to thinking of doing something else, maybe retiring and maybe look at other things. And this opportunity came up for me to come up here as Detachment Commander [in Inuvik]… It kind of rejuvenated me a little bit -- got some wind back in my sails.

“To become a staff sergeant in the RCMP you have to have a lot of good experience,” explained Gerry Kisoun, a friend and former RCMP member who served for 25 years himself. “He had approximately thirty RCMP members under his command while looking after the security of the Prime Minister's Trip,” said Kisoun as he highlighted Norris’ extensive leadership skills. “It will be good to have Wayne home for the next number of years,” continued Kisoun, “I got another hunting partner.” Hunting is one of Norris’ favorite pastimes.

Norris knows how fortunate he is to know the area and the great people that live here. “For anyone else that would have come here in my spot they would have had to learn a whole lot about the cultures and the communities…how it ticks,” explained Norris,

“I’ve got that sewn up already because I know my community.”

Norris’ family has been in the North for many years. His father, Fred Norris arrived here at the age of seven with his parents, Adolphus and Christine Norris. They had migrated from Waterways, Alberta to the Mackenzie Delta for what was then a thriving fur industry. “I believe Aklavik was a mecca back then, producing over 100 thousand fur pelts a year,” recalled Norris. All of Fred’s siblings were born and raised in the north.

Norris’ mother Eunice Arey-Norris was originally from this region as well. Her brother, Jimsey Arey, served in the military as a Master Corporal while her other brother, Donald Arey, worked for the RCMP in Aklavik and Hay River. Both of Norris’s brothers, »

Adolphus and Dino, also served in the RCMP. “So it was kind of a family affair,” said Norris.

On February 1st, 2011, Norris was the first Inuvialuit member to receive the rank of Staff Sergeant.

One could interpret Wayne Norris’ story as a new chapter for Inuvialuit-RCMP relations. Norris sees himself as part of the rich history between Inuvialuit people and the RCMP. Although Norris is aware of the RCMP’s involvement in the residential school experience, he explains that the RCMP has also many other connections with the North. They have had numerous Inuvialuit officers over the years, which have played a positive role in the community. “By far we out number any other aboriginal group in the north for representation,” said Norris. Norris has fond memories for retired RCMP members such as Cst. Gerry Kisoun, Special Cst. Otto Binder, and Cst. Fred Bennet. “We had our own history of special constables…I guess I could say that probably I’ve achieved the highest rank as a staff sergeant and I feel fortunate that I got the opportunity to do that as well as assured that I had a lot of support prior to that from a lot of other Inuvialuit that have gone before me.”

Norris’s credits his family and friends with all his success. “I think that’s inherent to a lot of the smaller communities that you have that support and circle of friendship, that cohesiveness, and that’s always what I wanted to continue on in my life.” In fact, in his new role as detachment commander Norris is committed to providing support to the young people of Inuvik and is striving towards the long-term development of leadership of Inuvik youth.

Norris identifies with young people who are struggling to figure out what to do with their lives. At the same time he’s aware that youth are facing different challenges than he did when he was young. “Today our youth are bombarded with media pressures.” He is troubled with the pressure that young people face to emulate the fantasies and fiction produced by the media, which he suggests is linked to low self-esteem and discontent. “Its unfortunate and I think you know they [the youth] are resilient but I think that we need to support them as well, give them the confidence and give them the - you don’t need those things to be successful, I think that’s paramount.”

Norris is determined to bring renewed energy to many of the youth programs the RCMP is associated with in Inuvik. He was involved with the Not-US program. “I think that’s the right message. There are other things we can do to enjoy life than to go into drugs and alcohol.”

He is also involved in the launch of the Aboriginal Shield program in the near future. The purpose of the Aboriginal Shield program is to select leaders among youth and empowering them to be better. “Education is key in any prevention,” said Norris. “Everybody makes the decision whether they’re right or wrong. But it’s whether you have the information to making an informed one.”

In 25 years, Norris has seen a lot. He has raised a family, had a successful career and always did it with a smile. If he could pass one message on to young people in Inuvik it would be to “Always believe in yourself.”∞