Family and friends are remembering Adrian Halushka, who drowned in Frame Lake on July 19.

His sister, Aaron Halushka, said that he was a true Northerner who loved and respected the land.

SA国际影视传媒淚 want him to be remembered for the beautiful heart that he was, not because of his life choices,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

Adrian struggled with addiction, made more difficult for him by staying on the streets where others were drinking, she explained. She added that, despite the fact that he knew his sister and the rest of the family disapproved of his lifestyle, he would still call them and never asked for money.

SA国际影视传媒淲e all really love him,SA国际影视传媒� she said through tears. SA国际影视传媒淣o matter what was going on, he always made sure to let us know he loved us.SA国际影视传媒�

She said that he taught her how to make a fire, took her out on a Ski-Doo and on fishing trips. She explained that when she would tangle her fishing line, he would patiently untie it for her.

SA国际影视传媒淗e would take our sister, Hayley, who is blind out Ski-Dooing because he knew how much she loved it,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淲e loved him very much he will be dearly missed.SA国际影视传媒�

Tina Abel, his girlfriend, said she was with him for more than nine years before he died.

SA国际影视传媒淗e said he would never leave me and that we would grow old together,SA国际影视传媒� she said emotionally. SA国际影视传媒淎 few days later, he drowned.SA国际影视传媒�

She added that he was an energetic and lively person and that they would often volunteer their time to help HalushkaSA国际影视传媒檚 father, Jerry Halushka, with gardening.

SA国际影视传媒淗e was over here watering the garden every day,SA国际影视传媒� said his father.

Jerry Halushka said that he had been getting a lot of attention from people his son knew since the incident occured.

SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檝e been getting messages that he had a really big heart, they loved his laugh and loved his company,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

The elder Halushka said that his son liked living out on the land, fishing and trapping rabbits.

SA国际影视传媒淗eSA国际影视传媒檚 a real local,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淗eSA国际影视传媒檚 a diamond driller that was in and out of the bush over the last 30 years.SA国际影视传媒�

William Aglukkaq, one of HalushkaSA国际影视传媒檚 friends, said he met him in 2018 when they worked during their time at the Giant Mine remediation project.

He said that they were good friends but only spent time together at work or when they ran into each other.

SA国际影视传媒淗e always had a smile for me regardless of his situation,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

Aglukkaq said he last saw Halushka just one hour before the incident that took his life.

SA国际影视传媒淗e looked me in the eyes and told me I was an angel,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

Stephanie Dzentu said she met Halushka as a child when his dad and her mom started dating.

SA国际影视传媒淎drian and I both shared something super special and thatSA国际影视传媒檚 our baby brother, Gerimia,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淗e was always a part of my life because he was my younger brotherSA国际影视传媒檚 older brother, and he always called me sis.SA国际影视传媒�

She said that throughout her childhood and teens, her brother, Aaron Halushka and herself would play fight with Adrian.

SA国际影视传媒淓very time I would see him, it was always just so pleasant,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淗e was always so happy to see me.SA国际影视传媒�

She added that even though her mom wasnSA国际影视传媒檛 AdrianSA国际影视传媒檚 mom, he would still call her mom anyway.

Death

According to Garth Eggenberger, the NWTSA国际影视传媒檚 chief coroner, Halushka was seen swimming alone to an island in Frame Lake on July 19. When it appeared that he was in trouble, emergency personnel was called to the scene.

Aaron Halushka said that her brother was on the rocks behind Stanton Territorial Hospital when he decided to swim to the island.

SA国际影视传媒淗e did it like 20 times before,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淧ersonally, I think he had a heart attack but I donSA国际影视传媒檛 know.

SA国际影视传媒淚 think he over exerted himself.SA国际影视传媒�

She told Yellowknifer that there would not be an autopsy but she did not know why.