Les Carpenter, northern broadcaster and CEO of CKLB Radio, dies at 61

A staunch supporter of Indigenous-language media in the Northwest Territories has died.

Les Carpenterpassed away at home in Yellowknife on Tuesday following a brief illness, according to a statement from his family. He was 61 years old.

Carpenterwas the CEO for the Native Communications Society of the Northwest Territories, which ownsCKLBRadio. The station, based in Yellowknife, broadcasts in five languages to 30 communities in the N.W.T. and northern Alberta.

Carpenter's broadcasting career included working with theCBCin Inuvik.The family's statement says he"will forever be remembered as Mr. Saturday Night, from his early days on CBC radio."

Carpenter was the first ever chair of the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation and the first mayor of SachsHarbour. He alsosat on a number of boards and committees representing the Inuvialuit.

The statement says Carpenter "will be sorely missed by his family and countless friends throughout the world."