Nunavik family wants answers about teenage boy’s death

Tamusi Qumak is pictured here on a camping trip in 2015. The 16-year-old died April 9, reportedly from three stab wounds. (PHOTO COURTESY OF M. KENUAJUAK)

A Puvirnituq family has many questions about the circumstances that lead to the death of a teenage boy in the Hudson coast community last weekend.

Tamusi Qumak (Kenuajuak), often called Tamou by family and friends, died early April 9 after an argument broke out at a residence in the Nunavik community of about 1,700 people.

Qumak, who turned 16 in January, had lived with his grandparents since he was five. His grandmother, Alashuak Kenuajuaq, was the first to learn of her grandson’s death, when she was awakened at 5 a.m. that morning.

“When the two social workers came to tell us the bad news, I didn’t want to believe it,” Kenuajuak said.

Police have since arrested 43-year-old Aipellie Novalinga, who has been charged with second degree murder in Qumak’s death.

Members of the Quebec provincial police, the Sûreté du Québec, flew into the community last weekend to investigate the incident.

But Kenuajuak said police haven’t shared any information about what might have happened to Qumak that night.

“I don’t know what was going on in that house,” Kenuajuak said. “He doesn’t tell us where he goes. But he had a lot of friends.”

Kenuajuak said she was told by social service workers that Qumak was stabbed three times April 9, although neither police nor the coroner’s office have confirmed how he died.

Kenuajuak said she isn’t sure what her grandson was doing the evening before his death, but said friends of Qumak have since told her that the residence he died in was one where local residents went to gamble.

The SQ told Nunatsiaq News it cannot provide any other details as the investigation continues.

Earlier this week, health care officials sent Qumak’s body to Montreal for an autopsy. Family members said the boy’s body is expected to be flown home to Puvirnituq and released to family later April 13.

That will allow family to mourn and come to terms with the teenager’s death, said Qumak’s biological mother, Mamangi Kenuajuak.

Qumak had been out of school for the last three years. His mother said he spent most of his time with friends, on the land and hunting.

Qumak worked with a few local mushers to care for their dog teams; his good friend Putugu Iqiquq was competing in Nunavik’s Ivakkak race — his team placed second in the event April 12.

“He was a hunter,” Mamangi said of her son. “He was quiet and respectful. He never asked for anything.”

The last time Kenuajuak saw her son was two days before his death, April 7, while she was visiting him at home. “We were just hanging out,” she said. “He seemed okay.”

Qumak’s grandmother, Alashuak, said she, her husband and her grandson often travelled and camped together outside of Puvirnituq.

“He was very gentle, and very respectful to everyone,” Alashuak said. “He never argued or got mad at us.”

The Kenuajuaks say they are planning a funeral service for Qumak, to be held in Puvirnituq later this week.