Emotional scene in Iqaluit court as suspect charged in 1986 killing of teen

In a chilling scene inside the Iqaluit courthouse Wednesday, family members of 15-year-old Mary Ann Birmingham gathered for the news they waited 38 years to hear.

A suspect has been arrested in the 1986 killing of the Iqaluit teen.

Mary Ann Birmingham, 15, was the victim of a homicide in her home in Iqaluit on May 28, 1986. (RCMP handout)

Jopey Atsiqtaq has been charged with second-degree murder in Birmingham’s death, Crown prosecutor Stephanie Boydell told the court.

Atsiqtaq did not enter a plea Wednesday.

The case has remained unsolved for nearly four decades as family members and the RCMP continued to search for more information with hopes to bring a suspect to justice.

According to an RCMP unsolved murder webpage, Birmingham was killed in her home at house 109C in Iqaluit on May 28, 1986. She was alone at the time while her family was travelling outside the community.

Atsiqtaq was arrested Tuesday, and in court Wednesday he appeared frail with long, greying hair. He navigated slowly into the courtroom using a walker, seated beside lawyer Keir O’Flaherty and surrounded by court officers.

At least 50 of Birmingham’s family members and supporters packed the courtroom so full that some people were forced to either stand or sit on the floor.

The court clerk brought out extra tissue boxes to relieve some of the folks who were in tears.

Musician Susan Aglukark, former Nunavut commissioner Ann Meekitjuk Hanson, and Iqaluit Coun. Amber Aglukark were among those in the courtroom.

As well, seven people were seen on camera tuned into the court appearance via videoconference from Ottawa, including Birmingham’s sisters Barbara Sevigny and Elisapee Sheutiapik, a former Iqaluit mayor and legislative assembly member.

The two have led the fight for justice in their sister’s death for several decades.

Atsiqtaq was arrested in Ottawa, four days after a warrant was issued, Boydell said, adding Atsiqtaq was on parole at the time.

Atsiqtaq was previously convicted of the grisly murders of Pootoogoo Eyesiak, 21, and his mother, Oolayou Eyesiak, 51, in Iqaluit in 1986.

Atsiqtaq was also previously charged with Birmingham’s murder, but the charge was dismissed following a preliminary hearing.

People leave the Iqaluit courthouse on Wednesday after the appearance by Jopey Atsiqtaq, charged with second-degree murder in the 1986 killing of Iqaluit teenager Mary Ann Birmingham. (Photo by Arty Sarkisian)

In court Wednesday, Justice Faiyaz Alibhai named more than a dozen people who Atsiqtaq is to have no contact with, including Birmingham’s two sisters in Ottawa, and ordered that he remain in custody as he awaits trial.

O’Flaherty said Atsiqtaq hopes to be in the courtroom for all of his upcoming appearances — a request Alibhai said could be granted on a case-by-case basis.

Atsiqtaq’s next court date is Oct. 29.

After his appearance, which lasted just over 10 minutes, Birmingham’s family and supporters left the courtroom, with many exchanging hugs on their way out.

Amber Aglukark, who outside of city council is president of the Qulliit Nunavut Status of Women Council, said in an interview that Wednesday’s news will help Birmingham’s loved ones heal.

But, she said, more work needs to be done on the issue of missing and murdered Inuit women, girls and two-spirit people.

“People will never stop seeking not only justice but that opportunity to heal, and that opportunity to remember our lost sisters and wives and aunts,” she said.

“The presence in that room today spoke loudly.”

Nunavut RCMP have not yet released a statement on Atsiqtaq’s arrest.

“The Nunavut RCMP will be doing a press release on this matter before the end of the week,” Cpl. George Henrie said in an email.