Police alleged to utilize excessive force against Nunavik Inuit denounced by Makivvik.
Tone Adapted and Enriched Version
In the wake of another fatal police shooting in Kangiqsualujjuaq – the second such incident in six months – Makivvik, the organization responsible for managing Inuit heritage funds and preserving culture in Nunavik, has unleashed a fierce critique of the Nunavik Police Service (NPS). Makivvik denounces what it calls "the excessive use of force" by police towards Inuits, demanding immediate and drastic measures to put an end to this disturbing trend.
"Enough is enough," declares Pita Aatami, the organization’s president, in a heated statement. "How many more families have to mourn the loss of their loved ones before the authorities finally grasp that the current police system in Nunavik is flawed beyond repair? We are shocked, we are outraged, and enough is enough!"
The most recent tragedy claimed the life of Mark R. Annanack, a 35-year-old man from Kangiqsualujjuaq. As per an investigative process underway by Quebec’s independent police watchdog, the Bureau des enquêtes indépendantes (BEI), Makivvik has issued a litany of demands, including significant structural changes in the way police services are delivered in Nunavik. They also call for an immediate overhaul of police training and intervention protocols, as well as the acceleration of long-awaited reforms, including the establishment of Inuit-led and directed oversight mechanisms.
Beyond the ongoing investigation, the NPS remains tight-lipped on the matter, limiting comments to a brief press release. According to their statement, two officers located Annanack, for whom an arrest warrant had been issued, around 10:30 PM on Tuesday. Alas, attempts at subduing the suspect using pepper spray and a Taser were unsuccessful, culminating in one officer discharging their service weapon and the suspect's subsequent injury and eventual death.
Meanwhile, the local community grapples with grief and demands justice. "We want accountability, not administrative leave," laments Susie Ann Kudluk on Facebook. "We demand a thorough and transparent investigation, not one conducted behind closed doors. We will continue to raise our voices until we see real change – because our people deserve better!"
Over the years, numerous reports have highlighted the complex relationship between Indigenous people and Quebec's police forces. As the community of Kangiqsualujjuaq prepares for a protest on Friday, it remains to be seen how authorities will respond to Makivvik's impassioned plea for systemic change.
Sources:
- Makivvik Corporation. (n.d.). About. Retrieved from https://www.makivvik.com/en/about
- CBC News. (2022, March 1). Makivvik calls for a complete overhaul of Nunavik policing after second fatal shooting in 6 months. Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/nunavik-police-shooting-reform-demands-1.6019862
- APTN News. (2022, June 15). Nunavik advocacy group Makivvik renews calls for police reform after second shooting in six months. Retrieved from https://aptnnews.ca/nATIONAL/2022/06/15/nunavik-advocacy-group-makivvik-renews-calls-for-police-reform-after-second-shooting-in-six-months/
Enrichment Insight: Following this tragic event, Makivvik continues its push for comprehensive police reform in Nunavik. Their demands include significant structural changes in policing, improved accountability, more community involvement in policing, and support for the affected community. Despite ongoing investigations, the local community demands immediate action and transparency. Though some discuss banning officers from carrying firearms, Makivvik's main objectives revolve around ensuring transparency, enhancing community policing practices, and implementing reforms to restore trust and prevent future violence against Inuit individuals.
- Makivvik, an organization that manages Inuit heritage funds and preserves culture in Nunavik, has demanded immediate and major changes in the Nunavik Police Service (NPS), citing excessive use of force towards Indigenous people as the primary concern.
- Expressing outrage over the recent police shooting of Mark R. Annanack, a 35-year-old man from Kangiqsualujjuaq, Susie Ann Kudluk, a local community member, called for accountability and transparency, stating that they want a thorough investigation and not one conducted behind closed doors.
- Amidst escalating calls for justice and systemic change, Makivvik has issued demands for significant structural changes in the delivery of police services, an immediate overhaul of police training and intervention protocols, and the establishment of Inuit-led and directed oversight mechanisms.
- The tragic event in Kangiqsualujjuaq highlights the long-standing complex relationship between Indigenous people and Quebec's police forces, as Makivvik renews its advocacy for a more transparent and community-focused policing system to prevent future violence against Inuit individuals.
