Nunavut man’s sentencing hearing hears from victim’s grieving family

The uncle of a Kugluktuk man who died after being kicked in the head during an altercation in 2023 says his family was left “deeply traumatized” by the death.

The sentiment was shared this week during a sentencing hearing for Darren Nulliayuk, of Taloyoak, in a Yellowknife courtroom.

Nulliayuk, 20, pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the July 31, 2023, death of Adam Kakolak, 34, of Kugluktuk.

N.W.T. Supreme Court heard victim impact statements Tuesday from Kakolak’s family. Only their first names were provided as the statements were read.

“Our family has been deeply traumatized by the loss of Adam, from his grandpa to his dad to his brothers and sisters, his cousins, uncles and aunties, young and old,” Kakolak’s uncle Gary said, as he began crying.

“We miss him and we love him. We know justice will be served.”

In a statement read by Crown prosecutor Alex Godfrey, Kakolak’s brother, Trent, said he has been “overwhelmed” by the loss.

“Adam just had another baby not soon after he passed,” Kakolak’s sister, Stephanie, said in her statement which was read for her.

“I hope my late brother knows how much we loved and cared for him.”

Nulliayuk was in Yellowknife to accompany his brother who was receiving medical treatment, according to the agreed statement of facts. Nulliayuk and Kakolak did not know each other prior to the fatal incident.

Godfrey said that on July 22, 2023, there was a disagreement between Nulliayuk and Kakolak outside the Capital Suites Yellowknife hotel, leading to an altercation. Both men were heavily intoxicated, Godfrey said.

At some point, a person began filming the altercation from a hotel room one floor above.

In the video, played in court Tuesday, Nulliayuk is seen stumbling as he accuses Kakolak of taking advantage of him. Kakolak is lying on the ground and Nulliayuk is standing over him.

As Kakolak tries to stagger to his feet, Nulliayuk lands what Godfrey called a “brutal kick” to the victim’s head.

That kick, both Godfrey and defence lawyer Ryan Clements agreed, is what ultimately killed Kakolak.

Kakolak was medevaced to the University of Alberta Hospital in Edmonton where he died six days later, on July 28, 2023, from blunt-force head and neck trauma. He never regained consciousness.

Nulliayuk was initially charged with aggravated assault. After Kakolak’s death, the charge was upgraded to second-degree murder on July 31, 2023, before he eventually pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

Nulliayuk’s sentencing hearing is scheduled to continue Thursday afternoon.