People across Nunavik hold vigils for Salluit twins
Nunavik Police Service, Kativik Regional Government decline interview requests until Quebec police watchdog finishes investigation
Approximately 100 people gather in front of Kuujjuaq’s police station with candles, offering prayers for Joshua and Garnet Papigatuk, who were involved in a deadly confrontation with police last week. (Photo by Cedric Gallant)
At least half of Nunavik’s 14 communities united Monday night to commemorate twin brothers shot by police in Salluit last week.
Quebec’s police watchdog, Bureau des enquêtes indépendantes, is investigating the altercation that left Joshua Papigatuk dead and his twin brother Garnet Papigatuk injured.
Candles were offered by the Kuujjuamiut Society, a non-profit community organization. (Photo by Cedric Gallant)
People in Kuujjuaq, Inukjuaq, Salluit, Puvirnituq, Aupaluk, Quaqtaq and Kuujjuaraapik gathered near their police stations on Monday, the 49th anniversary of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement. Videos of the events were posted online.
The gatherings were intended to pay respect to the twins and call for justice.
Makivvik Corp. representative George Kauki was at Kuujjuaq’s vigil. He called upon the crowd to huddle near the front door of the police station.
“We want to make sure they understand our presence, for us to show support for the twins,” he said.
The shootings occurred Nov. 4 when at around 4 a.m. Salluit police responded to a report of someone attempting to drive while impaired, according to a news release by the police watchdog agency.
The call turned into an altercation between officers and two people, during which officers used an electric pulse gun and pepper spray to subdue the pair. Ultimately, shots were fired and both people were wounded.
Kuujjuaq’s Makivvik Corp. representative George Kauki shares a few words at Monday’s vigil. (Photo by Cedric Gallant)
The release said officers attempted first aid at the scene. Both people were taken to hospital, where one died. On Tuesday, the watchdog agency told Nunatsiaq News the other person remains in stable condition.
Neither police nor Quebec’s police watchdog agency have named the victims; however, a news release from Makivvik Corp. did identify them.
On Monday night, the tone of the vigils differed from community to community. In Kuujjuaq, people gathered in silence, holding candles and praying in an event that lasted about an hour.
Chants could be heard in other videos shared on social media, from Inukjuak and Puvirnituq, calling for justice for the twins.
Police in Nunavik and representatives with Kativik Regional Government have not spoken to reporters about the incident, citing the ongoing investigation.
A joint news release from Kativik Regional Government and Nunavik Police Service dated Nov. 7 said both organizations reaffirm their commitment to “transparency, co-operation and justice.”
“We honour the responsibility that the northern villages give us and we take our oath seriously,” NPS Chief Jean-Pierre Larose said in the release.
He said police will double their efforts to “regain the support and trust of Sallumiut and of all Nunavimmiut across Nunavik.”
Investigations of this sort usually take at least six months to complete, Jérémie Comtois, a spokesperson for Quebec’s Bureau des enquêtes indépendantes, said last week in an interview.
A sign in Kuujjuaq Monday night demands justice for Joshua and Garnet Papigatuk. (Photo by Cedric Gallant)
Maybe wait for body cam footage and investigatio to finish before blaming the cops .
There’s a ton of information missing here, and the people deserve to know the whole story. So many people shouting “justice for the twins” without even knowing why shots were fired. Did they pull guns on the officers? Did they pull any kind of weapon? Did they charge at the officers and ignore orders to stop? There are justified reasons for police shootings, and there are unjust showings of police force. We need to know why this happened before we can determine whether or not it was justified.
In Kangiqsujuaq the town prayed for the Salluit community drive around town and many were stop at the Police station. Peace be with all of us and We want justice will be serve for all those whose affected by this tragedy and others as well.
George Kauki should understand that Police must use force at times, when necessary
Wasn’t he a KRPF officer years ago?
Nunatsiaq news and it’s keyboard warriors ate good to show there true colours we won’t pitty you
Years and years of brutal repression have given the NPS (KRPF) a notorious reputation as young inexperienced knuckleheads. Do not be surprised that the BEI justifies their actions and methods. Leadership is ultimately responsible for their failures to reform known deficiencies.
Soo much emphasis is put on the police to learn about various cultures and so on. Maybe it’s time people be taught about the law so they can stop breaking them.
You don’t want police to come, then stop breaking the law.
You , a cop Pete. ?
Whatever became of the Viens Commission’s Report and its recommendations?