Iqaluit church leader facing sex charges

IQALUIT – A well-known Apex elder and lay minister in the Anglican church has been charged with multiple counts of sexual assault.

Akeesook Joamie, 71, has been charged with four counts of sexual assault involving at least one minor. The charges relate to incidents dating back to March, 1996.

Iqaluit RCMP laid the charges Dec. 4. Joamie is scheduled to appear in court Jan. 26.

A long-time Apex resident, Joamie has been a prominent church and community leader in Iqaluit for many years.

Until 1995, he and his wife Alicee managed the open custody young offender’s home in Iqaluit under a contract with the GNWT’s department of social services.