Inuktitut: language of the courts

SARA MINOGUE

An unusual sight in an Iqaluit courtroom: an accused man, in blue prison overalls, whispering with his lawyer in Inuktitut. The scene took place in an unusual setting last Friday: an all Inuktitut-speaking courtroom.

Both lawyers are recent graduates from the Akitsiraq Law Program.

Sandra Omik, articling with Justice Canada, represented the Crown, and Connie Merkosak, articling with the Maliiganik Tukisiiniakvik legal aid clinic, represented the accused. RCMP Cst. Sylvia Sharp, one of a growing number of Inuit police officers in Nunavut, led the accused in and out of the courtroom.

Justice of the Peace Alexina Kublu, originally from Igloolik, said it was not the first time she has overseen an all-Inuktitut court session, “but it was nice.”

JP Courts in several of Nunavut’s communities rely on RCMP officers – some of whom speak Inuktitut – to represent the Crown. The Akitsiraq students have made JP court appearances during work terms throughout the last three years.

In some communities, such as Pangnirtung, Kublu said, having Inuktitut-speaking lawyers makes a lot of difference to the accused.

“I do make a point of speaking Inuktitut to the accused,” Kublu said.

She also spoke Inuktitut to both of the clerks who pressed her with paperwork after the trial.

“It helps that I used to teach legal interpreting, so I think these,” said Kublu, tapping the English language version of the Criminal Code and her Judge’s Notebook, “in Inuktitut.”

Spectators who do not speak Inuktitut would only be able to make out the occasional English phrases, such as “police file” and “sworn date,” if not for the translation services provided through headsets.

After hearing both arguments, Kublu decided to keep the accused, Joe Ullaktuk Newkinga, in custody until his next court date to be held yesterday, when a new date was to be set for a jury trial.