Inuit truth commission begins hearings on sled-dog deaths

The Qikiqtani Inuit Association begins public hearings in Kimmirut, Nunavut, this week to explore allegations that thousands of Inuit sled dogs were slaughtered by the RCMPfrom the 1950s to the 1970s.

The association's truth commission will kick off the year-long project in Kimmirut with a community feast Monday night, followed by three days of hearings starting Tuesday.

The panel will travel to 13 communitiesin the Baffin, or Qikiqtani, region of the territory this year.

"The mandate that has been given to us by QIA is to investigate and do some hearings and interviews in this region only, to find out about the dog slaughter beginning from [the] 1940s, '50s, '60s, or whatever," said Joanasie Akumalik, an executive assistant with the truth commission.

Some Inuit have long alleged that the RCMP systematically killed about 20,000 sled dogs in the 1950s, '60s and '70s in Nunavut, the Nunavik region of northern Quebec and the Nunatsiavut region of Labrador.

The RCMP has said some dogs were killed because they were sick or posed a danger to residents, but denied allegations of an organized, mass slaughter. The force conducted its own investigation that led to a 2005 interim report clearing police of any wrongdoing.

The association decided to form the truth commission in response to the RCMP's report, which it claimed gave a one-sided view of what happened.

Relocation, social issues to be explored

The commission also wants people to share their recollections of Inuit and non-Inuit relations during that period, including their experiences of being forced to relocate into settlements, as well as related issues such as housing, health and education.

Akumalik said community workers have collected the names of people throughout the Qikiqtani region who may have information to share from the period in question.

The commission panel wants to hear from as many people as possible, Akumalik said, adding that individuals can share their experiences at the public hearings or in private.

"For those people who do not want to make a presentation at [the] hearings, we can take individual interviews," he said.

Kimmirut Mayor Joe Arlooktoo told CBC News that he welcomes the QIA's truth commission to his community. Speaking in Inuktitut, he said he hopes all those who share their experiences will "only speak the truth."