A 63-year-old Behchokǫ̀ man is facing criminal charges after a strange incident on Marion Lake earlier this month. Behchokǫ̀ RCMP say the man stole a resident’s kayak, tried to paddle it with a snow shovel while drunk, and ended up in the water when the kayak flipped.
On June 8, 2026, police received a call from a community member who said an intoxicated man had taken their kayak out onto Marion Lake. Officers arrived to find the kayak capsized and the suspect swimming, but too impaired to get himself out. Police helped him to shore before taking him into custody.
The man has been charged with impaired operation of a vessel and refusing to provide a breath sample. He has since been released and will appear in court at a later date. No one was hurt.
RCMP Cpl. Kevin Kim said Canadian law treats all vessels the same when it comes to impaired operation, including non-motorized craft like kayaks and canoes. He noted that water incidents come with added risks because conditions can change fast, gear is often limited, and help can take longer to arrive.
Marion Lake sits right next to Behchokǫ̀, at the point where the North Arm of Great Slave Lake connects with the lake.
