Inquest to look into 2020 police shooting in Clyde River

Nunavut’s chief coroner has announced a public inquest will be held this fall to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of a man who was shot during an arrest in Clyde River.

Abraham Natanine was 31 years old when he died on May 6, 2020, after being shot by an RCMP officer. 

The shooting happened while police responded to a disturbance at a home in Clyde River at around 11 p.m. the evening prior.

The investigation was handed over to the Ottawa Police Service, which is responsible for handling investigations into the conduct of Nunavut RCMP when an incident involves a serious injury or death.

Ottawa police concluded in April 2021 that there were no grounds for charges.

In 2023, Abraham Natanine’s brother, Norman Natanine, was sentenced for shooting into the home of an RCMP officer on Dec. 17, 2020.

Nunavut’s Chief Coroner Marianna Cervantes said her office was legally mandated to launch the inquiry under Nunavut’s Coroners Act, given the incident involved the death of a man while he was being detained by an on-duty police officer.

Coroner’s inquests do not determine blame. 

Instead, a coroner’s jury will consider testimony and “make recommendations to prevent deaths in similar circumstances,” Cervantes told Nunatsiaq News.

She said the man’s family, community members and those who were present during his death will be among those testifying. Others can reach out to her office if they wish to provide testimony as well.

The coroner’s counsel Sheldon Toner will lead the inquest alongside Cervantes.

The inquest, which will be open to the public, is scheduled to be held at Clyde River’s Community Hall from Oct. 5 to 9, starting at 10 a.m.