Falina Crenwell-Hens was awarded a Commissioner's certificate on Canada Day for exemplary action in helping save a boy's life.

Last October, Crenwell-Hens snapped into action when a 10-year-old boy, who had been accidentally shot, wound up at her door.

She was just preparing for bed in her apartment at the Mt. Lorne Community Centre when she heard a car race up the drive, an unusual occurrence for that time of night.

"Someone was hollering and then started hammering on the door hollering, and I knew that there was something wrong by the voice,” she told the Star this week.

"So I went down the stairs and answered the door.”

The young boy had been shot at a First Nations hunting camp. His grandmother and cousin rushed him to the community centre in search of a phone to call 911.

Crenwell-Hens called 911 and instructed her daughter to gather some towels and blankets.

She helped keep the boy's bleeding under control and remained calm throughout the situation until the RCMP and ambulance arrived and he was transported to hospital.

"That look on the little boy's face, I'll always have in my mind for the rest of my life,” said Crenwell-Hens.

"I'm just glad I was awake and here.”

Receiving the certificate was "unexpected” but nice, Crenwell-Hens said.

The youngster suffered non-life-threatening injuries to his left arm and abdomen. He underwent emergency surgery in a B.C. hospital after being medevaced of Whitehorse.

The people in the house where the near-tragedy occurred were consuming alcohol, Whitehorse RCMP said at the time

At some point, a man had picked up a rifle and fired it inside the house.

The bullet grazed the boy's abdomen and struck his left arm, causing severe damage.

"Alcohol was definitely a factor,” Sgt. Don Rogers said at the time, adding that people should never handle a firearm after drinking.

A 68-year old man was arrested and charged with the careless use of a firearm and criminal negligence.

The matter remains before the courts.

By Ainslie Cruickshank

Star Reporter