Twin Flames singer Jaaji Okpik accused of historical sex offences in Nunavik

Jaaji Okpik, a member of the folk music duo Twin Flames, has been charged with several historical sex-related offences allegedly dating back to his time as a police officer in Nunavik 25 years ago.

Okpik was arrested May 27, according to Quebec’s Bureau des enquêtes indépendantes, the provincial watchdog agency that investigates incidents of alleged police misconduct.

He faces seven charges in total including sexual assault, sexual touching of a young person under his authority, and forcible confinement, the bureau said in an email.

The incidents are alleged to have occurred in Quaqtaq, his home community in Nunavik, in 2000. The Ungava Bay community has a population of 453, according to 2021 census data from Statistics Canada.

Jean‑François Morin, deputy chief of the Nunavik Police Service, said in an email the service is limited in what it can say because BEI is handling the investigation.

He confirmed Okpik worked as a police officer in Nunavik from the late 1990s to early 2000s, mainly in Quaqtaq.

Nadine Touma, a Montreal-based criminal defence lawyer representing Okpik, provided a statement on Okpik’s behalf.

“Mr. Okpik denies the allegations brought against him, which are purported to have occurred over 25 years ago,” Touma wrote in an email.

“He will vigorously contest these charges in court as soon as possible.”

Okpik’s name appears on Quebec’s Ungava Bay court docket for an appearance Friday at 9 a.m.

Twin Flames — in which Okpik performs alongside his wife Chelsey June — is based in the Ottawa area. They have been regular performers in the North and at Indigenous events across Canada.

Last year, they headlined the Alianait Arts Festival in Iqaluit and Aqpik Jam in Kuujjuaq. The duo performed June 14 at the Aqsarniit hotel in Iqaluit, and have a summer tour schedule with dates across Canada and the United States.