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Sister of Iqaluit girl killed 38 years ago wants families to 'not lose hope'

Elisapee Sheutiapik, whose 15-year-old sister Mary Ann Birmingham died in 1986, said she and her family are grateful for the support they've received since an arrest was made last month in connection with Birmingham's death. 

Elisapee Sheutiapik says she and her family have received support from across Nunavut

CBC News ·
A woman wearing a parka with white hair holds a framed photograph of a young girl
Elisapee Sheutiapik stands outside the Iqaluit courthouse and holds a photo of her sister, Mary Ann Birmingham, who died in 1986. (TJ Dhir/CBC)

The sister of an Iqaluit girl whose death has been unsolved for nearly four decades said she hopes an arrest in the case gives others hope. 

Elisapee Sheutiapik, whose 15-year-old sister Mary Ann Birmingham died in 1986, said she and her family are grateful for the support they've received since an arrest was made in connection with Birmingham's death. 

Last month, Jopey Atsiqtaq was charged with second-degree murder. Until then, the case had been cold for 38 years. 

Atsiqtaq attended court in Iqaluit on Tuesday and his appearance was put over. The court case was supposed to be heard again on Jan. 7, but has been pushed to Feb. 25 because Atsiqtaq's lawyer is not available. 

Sheutiapik's family and friends were also in the courtroom on Tuesday. She said although the support has been incredible, she knows there are other families in Nunavut who are going through what she went through. 

"There's others who are going to be triggered, I know that," she said. 

A framed photograph of a young girl, held by her sister
A photograph of the late Mary Ann Birmingham, whose death has been unsolved for 38 years. Her oldest sister says she hopes other families in similar situations in Nunavut don't lose hope. (TJ Dhir/CBC)

Sheutiapik, a former MLA and Iqaluit mayor, said she hopes to bring people together for the next court appearance to show support for each other. She hopes to organize a walk from the jail to the courthouse. 

"We waited so long. Yes we're going to be triggered but we could stand united," she said. 

"To see us out there walking, united, remembering. Not to lose hope — I think that's so very important." 

Sheutiapik said she and her family have received support from people across the territory. 

"We're fielding calls. It's amazing."

Even with the support, Sheutiapik said she and her family are bracing for what she hopes won't be a long court process. 

She said she's also happy to see that families are being supported now going through court.

"None of that existed back in the day. As hard it as it is, there's some positive things happening."

Sheutiapik said she hopes that other people "suffering silently" also speak up about their own situations. 

"I think of every one of them," she said. "Let's not lose hope. Thirty-eight years later, here we are."

With files from TJ Dhir

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