Statement: NunatuKavut President says Beatrice Hunter Detainment Exposes Deep Flaws in the Justice System and Need for Change

Press Release

HAPPY VALLEY-GOOSE BAY, LABRADOR, June 5, 2017 – NunatuKavut Community Council (NCC) President Todd Russell today issued the following statement relating to Beatrice Hunter’s placement at Her Majesty’s Penitentiary in St. John’s:

“Our thoughts are with Beatrice Hunter and her family during this extremely challenging time. We understand how difficult it must be for Beatrice as an Inuk mother and grandmother to be detained in a male maximum security prison. I understand the deep sense of separation one feels when you are taken from your home and so far away from the support of close family and friends.

We recognize there are others in similar situations as Beatrice with charges against them, some of whom are Southern Inuit. Clearly the justice system is flawed. It has not responded appropriately or fairly to those who have demonstrated their objections to the Muskrat Falls project and been charged as a consequence. There is little or no indication the justice system has respected nor taken into account the Indigenous perspective and issues central to this situation. In so doing, the system has inflicted undue harm on individuals, families and communities.

Today, we challenge the justice system to do better and find culturally appropriate alternatives and solutions. We challenge the justice system to respond in a manner wherein Inuit and other Indigenous peoples can have some measure of comfort that justice is indeed being done and is seen to be done fairly and justly. The system of justice that so many of our people find themselves embroiled in must find a better way. NCC will continue to advocate for change. Together, united, we can make that positive change happen.

I encourage Beatrice and her family to stay strong over the coming days. I want them to know they are not alone.”

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Media Contact:

Kelly Broomfield, Director of Communications, NCC, 709-280-5965

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