The police chief in Nunavik says an investigation is underway. Photo: X
The chief of the Nunavik Police Services says he’s ordered an investigation into a photo taken inside a detachment of a Christmas tree decorated with liquor bottles.
A photo of the tree was taken in the Umiujaq detachment, a community on the eastern shore of Hudson Bay in the region of Nunavik in sub-Arctic Quebec that has a population of about 550 people.
“The tree was removed as soon as we were informed,” said a statement from Jean-Francois Morin to APTN News. “A disciplinary investigation was immediately launched and a captain is currently assigned the investigation.
“At this point we can’t speak of the motivation of the ones who made the tree as the investigation is still ongoing.”
The photo of the tree was not well received on social media.
“Please don’t disrespect the communities you work in,” said one person on social media. “This is so distasteful and hurtful.”
This is what NOT to do in a police station that’s welcomed to an Inuit community to help serve AND protect the people. Photo taken in Umiujaq, Nunavik. pic.twitter.com/ToS3RNIxLN
— Mad (@Allakariallak) November 24, 2024
Another person called the tree racist and unprofessional.
Nunavik is made up of 14 Inuit communities.
On Nov. 25, Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Gary Anandasangaree was in Kangiqsualujjuaq where he apologized for the federal government’s role in the Inuit dog sled slaughter that took place in the 1950s and ‘60s.
Shooting in Salluit
Meanwhile, the Nunavik police are already under investigation following a shooting in Salluit, about 650 kilometres north of Umiujaq at the tip of the province.
On Nov. 4, police shot Joshua Papigatuk and his twin brother Garnet. Joshua did not survive and Garnet was severely injured.
Quebec’s police watchdog the Bureau des enquêtes indépendantes or BEI is investigating.
The BEI said police officers stopped the men while they were driving – then deployed their Tasers (also known as conducted energy weapons).
“A police officer then allegedly opened fire at one of the people who was injured by police gunfire,” said the BEI in a news release. “The police officer allegedly fired at the second person, who was then injured by police gunfire.”
A fundraising page has been posted in support of the family.
“The Papigatuk family in Salluit is enduring an unimaginable tragedy,” says the online GoFundMe post. “This devastating event has left their family and community in deep mourning, sparking calls for justice and understanding.”
