Byron Thrasher knew the late John Wayne Kiktorak well when he was putting the final touches on the sign for the warming shelterSA国际影视传媒檚 namesake.

"I knew John personally,SA国际影视传媒� said Thrasher, whose sign for the John Wayne Kiktorak Centre was unveiled Monday, Oct. 2.

SA国际影视传媒淎ll my life I known that guy and itSA国际影视传媒檚 too bad. He was a good guy when he was alive, kind-hearted.SA国际影视传媒�

His sign displays a canvas tent and wood stove in the snowy winter. Next to a fire on the right lays KiktorakSA国际影视传媒檚 firefighter hat with his number, 214.

SA国际影视传媒淚 put his firefighter's hat in there just to make sure they donSA国际影视传媒檛 forget him,SA国际影视传媒� said Thrasher. SA国际影视传媒淗eSA国际影视传媒檚 willing to run into fires and saving our lives and a lot of people donSA国际影视传媒檛 see that. He was just that kind of guy. Help you out in any way. No matter how small he was, big-hearted.SA国际影视传媒�

A horizon in the background of the sign is meant to signify better futures for those who use the shelter of last resort.

SA国际影视传媒淓ven though those guys that go there are down and out, thereSA国际影视传媒檚 always a brighter future ahead,SA国际影视传媒� said Thrasher. SA国际影视传媒淩ight now the economySA国际影视传媒檚 kind of slow and thereSA国际影视传媒檚 hardly any work around. You canSA国际影视传媒檛 really blame people for going there and asking for help. I just hope that everything will get better for those people over there.SA国际影视传媒�

Joey Amos, manager of the centre, says the artwork encapsulates the essence of the facility.

SA国际影视传媒淭he origin of the sign is something that is cultural,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 something that we as Indigenous people have started off with many times when we needed an emergency shelter. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 an old canvas tent with a wood stove and stove pipe sticking out and fire outside and background scenery. To us that was the perfect setting for an emergency (shelter), such as what we have here.SA国际影视传媒�

The Inuvik Firefighters Association, which has donated substantial sums of money to the centre this year, helped cover the cost of the sign.

Jonathon Michel, vice-president of the association, said supporting the centre is one of the most meaningful things heSA国际影视传媒檚 been involved with in the firefighters association.

Fire Chief Jim Sawkins recalled when he first met Kiktorak in 2011.

SA国际影视传媒淗e was one of our, as I say, eager beavers,SA国际影视传媒� said Sawkins. SA国际影视传媒淗e was the go-to person when I wanted to get something done around the fire department.SA国际影视传媒�

He hopes the centre can carry on the vision that Kiktorak had, one of helping people overcome challenges, continued Sawkins.

More than two dozen people showed up for the sign unveiling, which took place on a cold, windy day, the onset of winter biting in the air.

One of those was Veronica Kiktorak, youngest sister of John.

SA国际影视传媒淚 thought it was pretty cool they set this up for my brother,SA国际影视传媒� she said through tears. SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 proud of that.SA国际影视传媒�

She said John was a good person who liked to help people and that he would appreciate everything the centre is doing now.

SA国际影视传媒淚t means a lot to me,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淧eople donSA国际影视传媒檛 have a place to stay, they come here. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 nice and warm and theySA国际影视传媒檝e got a roof over their head.SA国际影视传媒�

The centre re-opened for winter in late September, after closing during summer due to lack of funds.