RCMP and Nunavut health minister working to address recommendations from Kimmirut inquest

WARNING: This story contains details of a death by suicide.

The RCMP and the minister of health in Nunavut are figuring out how to respond to 32 recommendations that emerged from a recent coroner's inquest in Kimmirut, a days-long hearing for which they both say they're thankful. 

The inquest looked into the circumstances around the death of George Arlooktoo, 28, who died during a confrontation with RCMP officers in his community six years ago. A jury found that Arlooktoo died by suicide on Feb. 9, 2019, from multiple stab wounds to his neck. 

Kent Pike, a criminal operations officer and superintendent with the RCMP in Nunavut, said he was glad the inquest happened because it could bring some closure to the families involved in what happened, but also because it produced some "quality recommendations."

To try and prevent similar circumstances from ever happening again, the jury recommended the government of Nunavut declare a suicide crisis. They also recommended always having three RCMP officers in the community, that inquests happen in a timely manner, and that the hamlet provide space for youth programming. 

Pike said the recommendations for the RCMP are "very applicable" and in some cases – given the amount of time that's passed, some progress has already been made on them. In other cases – such as the recommendation that the detachment have a bilingual community member to help with translations – he said more work needs to be done. 

"It's been proven and worked in the past where we can look at, you know, not necessarily full-time employment but to have somebody ready to be able to on hand to deal with the translation services, that is certainly an option we're looking into," he said. 

But, he said, there's other partners that need to be involved in a decision like that – including the community's mayor and senior administrative officers. "But it's something we're certainly going to look at." 

John Main, Nunavut's health minister, said that his department takes the recommendations "very seriously" but, as of an interview on Friday, he said they hadn't received them formally and as such, was still preparing its response. 

As for declaring a suicide crisis – Main said there are two options the territory could pursue. The government could make a general declaration of a crisis, which would create awareness and draw attention to the problem. Another route, he said, would be to declare it as a public health emergency under the Public Health Act.

If you or someone you know is struggling, here's where to get help:

• In Nunavut, reach the Kamatsiaqtut Help Line 24/7 at 1-800-265-3333 or 867-979-3333.
• Suicide Crisis Helpline 24/7 by phone or text 24/7, toll free by dialing or texting 9-8-8. 
• Hope For Wellness Helpline: 1-855-242-3310 (phone, available in Inuktitut, Cree and Ojibway upon request).
• Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 (phone), live chat counselling on the website.
• Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention: Find a 24-hour crisis centre.

This guide from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health outlines how to talk about suicide with someone you're worried about.