Coroner’s jury looks into death of Kimmirut man who died during 2019 arrest

A Kimmirut coroner’s jury is looking into the death of a man from that community who died during an arrest six years ago.

George Arlooktoo was 28 years old when he died from self-inflicted stab wounds on Feb. 9, 2019, Sheldon Toner, a lawyer representing the coroner’s office said, reading from a summary of the case.

Toner spoke during the first day of the five-day inquest, which was held Monday at the Akavak community centre.

RCMP officers in Kimmirut had received a report on Feb. 8, 2019, of a domestic disturbance. Arlooktoo’s partner had been stabbed and was later treated with stitches at the community’s health centre and released.

Later, Arlooktoo started to talk about killing himself after he realized what he had done, afraid he would go to jail. The next day — Feb. 9 — RCMP tried to arrest him.

Officers went to Arlooktoo’s home to “provide some mental health support for him. To do that they were going to have take him into detention,” Toner said.

After speaking to him through the door, the officers decided they would have to force their way into the home to protect Arlooktoo because they feared that he would harm himself.

“They entered the house and as soon as they did, George retreated into the house and took a knife upon himself and stabbed himself several times,” Toner said.

“As a result of his self-inflicted stab-wounds, George was seriously injured.”

There were several witnesses in the home that night. The coroner’s jury is expected to hear from them later this week, as the inquest continues.

A coroner’s inquest examines the circumstances surrounding a death and its jury makes recommendations aimed at preventing deaths in similar situations.

The Nunavut coroner’s office provided Nunatsiaq News with a Zoom link to follow the proceedings remotely.

Jury selection took most of the day Monday. Nunavut’s chief coroner Dr. Michael Foote noted that because of  the size of the community, it was quite likely many of the potential jurors knew Arlooktoo or were related to him. He asked those potential jurors to excuse themselves.

Testimony began late Monday after the jury was selected.

Here are resources for people in distress who need to talk with someone:

Kamatsiaqtut Help Line is Nunavut-specific and offers services in Inuktitut. Phone: 979-3333 for Iqaluit residents and 1-800-265-3333 for other Nunavummiut.

The Suicide Crisis Helpline is available 24/7 in English and French by phone or text at 9-8-8.

The First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Helpline: 1-855-242-3310 or chat online at hopeforwellness.ca.