Iqaluit councillor takes leave to seek alcohol treatment

Coun. Sam Tilley thanks colleagues for support, plans to continue serving after completing program

Iqaluit Coun. Sam Tilley attends Tuesday’s council meeting. He told his colleagues during the meeting that he plans to step away from council for two months to seek alcohol treatment. (Photo by Jeff Pelletier)

By Jeff Pelletier - Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Iqaluit Coun. Sam Tilley says he will be stepping away from council for two months in the new year to seek alcohol treatment.

Tilley made the announcement at Tuesday’s city council meeting, the last one of the year.

“I recognize that this is an important step toward improving my health and well-being and I’m committed to this journey,” he said.

“It’s not an easy step, but I’m confident that it is one that will make a positive impact on my life.”

Tilley said he’s grateful for the support he has received from colleagues.

“I will be focusing on my treatment for a while and I may be not as available as usual, but please know that your encouragement means the world to me,” he said.

“I look forward to [serving] my community upon my return.”

Councillors shared some encouragement for Tilley.

“We support you all the way,” said deputy Mayor Kim Smith, who sits directly to Tilley’s right in council.

Tilley has been a city councillor he since he was appointed in 2022 to fill a vacancy. He was then elected in the 2023 municipal election.

Tilley said he will be participating in a 64-day treatment program. During that time, he won’t have internet access, he said in an interview after the meeting.

“I’ll be disconnected to the outside world,” he said.

Tilley didn’t say much else about his decision to seek recovery or the program.

“This is my journey,” he said.

“I feel like it’s something that I needed to do for a long time, and that’s why I’m doing it.”

Mayor Solomon Awa, who thanked Tilley for being open about his situation in council, said it’s important that people who are struggling know they are not alone.

“We all do need help in one way or another,” Awa said after the meeting.

“Getting help is stepping forward to a better future.”

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(5) Comments:

  1. Posted by Bernie Adams on

    Congratulations Iqaluit Coun. Sam Tille. You are taking the first step in changing your life, your behavior and outlook in life. Once again, I congratulate you. Just a reminder, seeking Sobriety is easy. Following the steps and the program are the hardest. I mean the hardest in the choice in admitting that I have a alcohol or drug addiction. I too completed 2 rehabilitation clinics in Ontario. The first 8 week program I was forced into rehab. That failed miserably. I say that because I ended up in jail the night I graduated the 1st rehabilitation center. The Cornwall judge gave me an Ultimatum. Either seek professional help in a rehabilitation center or spend the next 25 plus years in prison for having a bad behavior. I grabbed on to the opportunity and on July 1, 1985, I have been in Sobriety. No Alcohol. No Drugs. No prescription drugs. Nothing. I read what I was told to read. I sat down and listened to other drug addicts and alcoholics stories and I became enraged because those were the same stories I was keeping inside of me as secrets. I went on the “run”. Everyone thought I was going out to get drunk or stoned because of the emotional state i was in. That evening I return, Sober and asked for an emergency group meeting. Then, I sat down and sobbed for hours, I had tears and snot running down my face. I finally realized I am not who I thought I was. I am not that mean hateful person that I attempted to show Society. I was a person who had been traumatized at such a young age that the traumatizing circumstances I endured as a child, stunted my emotional growth. It was than that I realized that I had to mature as a 22 year old adult and to start acting like a “normal” adult instead of acting and reacting as a immature brat. Once we grab on to the program, there is no excuse for me to use to get me to use alcohol and or drugs again. That’s what I was doing. Finding any excuse to keep me drunk and stoned. Through Sobriety, Life will through you challenges in life but you will know how to say no to these excuses. Sending a Silent Prayer to Our Ancestors for them to give you their strength and courage just to stay Sober just for today.

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  2. Posted by CB on

    Sam, I wish you well on your journey of recovery. Courage, my friend. One day at a time, one step at a time.

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  3. Posted by Get Well Sam on

    Get well soon, Sam. We’re rooting for you!

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  4. Posted by David Serkoak on

    Great and good personal move, first step is done. Treatment works, this year marks my 30th. You can do it.

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  5. Posted by JK on

    I know that must have been a difficult choice, and I wish you the best Sam.

    I am also so happy to see so much support in the comments.

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