Arena worker charged with sexually assaulting children

SEAN McKIBBON

IQALUIT — A Town of Iqaluit arena employee has been charged with three counts of sexual assault against local children.

Donald Kunuk, who works for the Town at the municipal hockey arena, was in court Dec. 6 to face charges that he sexually assaulted three children.

The charges relate to incidents alleged to have occurred between June 1 and Oct. 6, 1999.

“We believe a man is innocent until proven guilty,” said Paul Fraser, the Town of Iqaluit’s acting senior administrative officer.

At a show-cause hearing Oct. 14, Kunuk was released but given a number of conditions that he must abide by while he waits for the matter to be resolved.

Included among the conditions is an order that he be supervised by an adult while he works at the Iqaluit arena.

As well, he must not be alone with any child under the age of 14, he must reside at house 2206D, and he must observe a curfew from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., unless he has to work at the arena.

The order also forbids Kunuk from having any contact with any one of the complainants named in the charges against him, and to stay away from the same complainant’s house.

Under the Criminal Code, the names of complainants in sexual assault cases may not be published.

“I haven’t passed judgement on the man. As far as I know Donny’s done everything to comply with the conditions of his release,” said Fraser.

Kunuk’s next court appearance is scheduled for January 31.