Files related to 1941 Belcher Islands murders donated to GN
Arctic historian Kenn Harper donates first-hand material documenting arrival of RCMP, court officials to Sanikiluaq
Historian and author Kenn Harper has made a donation to the Government of Nunavut’s archives of documents detailing the arrival of the RCMP and court officials in Sanikiluaq to investigate the Belcher Islands murders of 1941. (File photo by Madalyn Howitt)
A series of murders that took place in Sanikiluaq in 1941 is the subject of historical documents that have been donated to the Government of Nunavut archives.
Arctic historian, author and Nunatsiaq News columnist Kenn Harper made the donation, which includes selected files documenting the arrival of court officials and the RCMP to the Belcher Islands, now Sanikiluaq, in 1941 for the investigation of the murders and the trial that followed.
In the strange case, the actions of a religious movement led by Charley Ouyerack, Peter Sala and his sister led to the deaths of nine people, including six who died from exposure after being convinced to remove their clothes outside in preparation for the end of the world.
According to the book ‘Religious Frenzy’ and the Application of Canadian Law, on Aug. 20, 1941, a jury convicted Ouyerack and Sala of manslaughter. Both men were sentenced to two years in prison with hard labour.
Harper also wrote about the grisly case in his book Arctic Crime and Punishment, part of his In Those Days series.
Minister of Culture and Heritage Joelie Kaernerk announced Harper’s donation Wednesday in the legislative assembly in Iqaluit.
“This donation consists of 35 cm of textual material that includes first-hand knowledge and, while this information is of a sensitive nature, it will be invaluable for historical research,” Kaernerk said.
He added the donation complements the archives program’s government records branch and the private sector repository, which is now accessible to the public by appointment with the territorial archivist.
Wow! An honour and a privilege feeling when you get the information from the horses’ mouth. GN, you have the opportunity before you at this moment to introduce his work to the Nunavut classrooms. Cheers!
Mr Harper is one of the best storytellers, a big thank you to him for this donation and his decades of research, storytelling, and sharing.