Montreal police find Inuk woman who went missing after being released from custody

An Inuk woman who went missing for several days after she was released from Montreal police custody has been found safe and in good health, according to police.

MinaIquasiakAculiak, 48, had been missing sinceFriday before being found by an off-dutypolice officer at the corner ofCrmazieBoulevard and Bloomfield Avenue, Thursday.

However, there are still questions about the circumstances surrounding her disappearance.

Before she was reported missing, Aculiakhad beenstaying at theGingras-Lindsayrehabilitation centre inCte-des-Neiges.

She was arrested around 6 p.m. Friday when personnel from the centrecalled police to pick her up because she wasintoxicated.

Police transported her from thecentreto a police station on Thimens Boulevard in Saint-Laurent, almost 10 kilometres away, where she was allowed to sober up,according toInsp.AndrDurocher.

Durocher confirmed that around midnight, police gave her a bus ticket and sent her on her way. That was the last time anyone saw her.

Durocher said according to protocol, people who are detained and released are allowed to call someone to pick them up, or are given a bus ticket if they are not a danger to themselves or others.

It's too soon to know why the woman wasn't brought back to the rehabilitation centre after she sobered up, he said.

It is also unclear whether the centre was contacted before she was released.

Aculiakwas checked out by paramedics and transferred to a local hospital for evaluation.

Woman was hit by police vehicle months ago

The reason Aculiakwas in Montreal in the first place was because she was brought to the city for medical attention.

Members of her community confirmed thatAculiakis the same woman who was hit by a police vehicle in her hometown ofUmiujaq in April.

Umiujaq is a northern villagein Nunavik, Que.

It's unclear what circumstances led up toAculiakbeing hit by the police cruiser.

Quebec's police watchdog (BEI) originally didn't plantoinvestigate the incident because they were told she only suffered a broken arm.

However, a report by La Presse revealed her injuries were much more serious broken ribs, a lacerated liver and kidney, fractured vertebrates and a punctured lung.She was transported to Montreal to be treated for her injuries.

Hours after the La Presse story was published, the BEI announced it would investigate the case after all.

Quebec Premier Philippe Couillardsaid at the time the story was published that he was worried the BEI initially disregarded the woman's injuries because she is Inuk.

Mayor calls situation 'unacceptable'

On Thursday morning, speaking at a news conference beforeAculiak was found, Montreal MayorValrie Plantecalled the situation "unacceptable."

"We don't want someone who is already in a vulnerable situation to become even more at risk," she said.

"The SPVM is doing an inquiry on what happened and I think it's a good opportunity for them to question, or to revise, some of the procedures around those cases."

Nakuset, executive director at the Native Women's Shelter, told CBC Montreal's Daybreak Thursday morning that the woman was being "re-victimized by police."

She said it was "appalling" that officers lost track of her after she was released from custody and called it "a perfect example of how Indigenous people fall through the cracks."

Nakuset questioned why the police didn't return her to the rehabilitation centre or contact a local shelter or community service.

Police originally issued a notice about the woman's disappearance early Thursday morning. It saidpolice were concerned about finding the woman because they believed she may be suicidal.

Insp. Durocher told CBCthat itwould surprise him if the officers letAculiakgo knowing she was potentially suicidal.

He said the force is now trying to figure out whether the officerwho authorizedAculiak'srelease evaluated her physical and mental health beforehand.

"If she was in proper condition when released, our role stops there. We cannot be held responsible for the fate of people one day, one month, one year after they are released."