CHESTERFIELD INLET, Nunavut – Two young residents of the Naja Isabelle group home in Chesterfield Inlet, Nunavut, have tragically died in hospital, sparking multiple investigations including one by the RCMP.
The Nunavut Minister of Family Services, Margaret Nakashuk, revealed that three people were hospitalized due to “critical incidents” at the care home, with two of them losing their lives. The Nunavut Coroner’s office confirmed that a 12-year-old died in January and a 19-year-old passed away in October 2023 outside the territory.
The Naja Isabelle Home caters to individuals under the age of 40 with specialized medical needs and is operated by the Pimakslirvik Corporation. The CEO of Pimakslirvik Corporation stated that they were surprised by the minister’s statement and expressed they hadn’t been given the opportunity to review the investigation findings.
The RCMP has also released a statement, announcing its assistance with the investigation at the request of the territorial government. In response to these incidents, an outside legal team has been hired to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the quality of care provided at the facility, according to Nakashuk.
The Nunavut Representative for Children and Youth raised concerns over the timely reporting of critical injuries and deaths in government care. However, she noted an improvement in incident reporting, attributing it to the guidance of the department’s new leadership.
The involvement of the RCMP suggests the potential for criminal charges, although the details of the incidents and the nature of the investigations are yet to be fully revealed. As the investigations continue, families and the broader community await answers and accountability for the tragic events that have occurred at the Naja Isabelle group home.