Man charged in 39-year-old cold case in Iqaluit denied bail

A man charged in connection with the death of a 15-year-old girl in Iqaluit in 1986 has been denied bail.

Jopey Atsiqtaq, who was charged with second degree murder last September, 38 years after the death of Mary Ann Birmingham, will remain in custody in Nunavut.

The evidence presented at Atsiqtaq's bail hearing in June, which was referenced in Judge Mark Mossey's written decision that he delivered orally in an Iqaluit courtroom on Tuesday morning, is under a publication ban.

Speaking with CBC News after the bail hearing, Elisapee Sheutiapik, Birmingham's oldest sister, said she was relieved at the decision and that the case is moving forward.

"It would have been frustrating to know that he was free during that process," said Sheutiapik. "I know he has rights, but for us, it's been a long time coming."

Atsiqtaq has appeared before a judge six times since his arrest. Sheutiapik said the constant delays have been hard for her and her family.

Although Atsiqtaq has been denied bail, Sheutiapik knows the road ahead remains long.

"It's still a relief to know that at least finally, after all these appearances, there's one little check mark for us," she said. "It gives me a sense of hope."

Sheutiapik is also pushing for legislation that would cut the number of court appearances for cases to move forward. She says she's been discussing the matter with various stakeholders, such as the Qulliit Nunavut Status of Women Council, Nunavut MP Lori Idlout, and Qajaq Robinson, a lawyer and former commissioner of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

"I know it's not going to help our family today or through the court process, because it could be a lengthy process itself," Sheutiapik acknowledged. "But I'm thinking of families to come. I'm thinking of the emotional roller coaster ride that happens the day before [a hearing], the day of, and the day after."

Sheutiapik, a former mayor of Iqaluit and Nunavut cabinet minister, had also been walking past various institutions' buildings and offices with a picture of Birmingham under the words "Justice for Mary-Ann," hoping to get some response and support from the territorial government and Inuit organizations.

"We need to talk about it and be supportive because we're not hearing [from] our leaders today," Sheutiapik said. "Not one has come to me to say it's all good to hear that it's finally come.

"We can't have leaders that are silent on this. We have to have a discussion on very tough subjects in [the hope] that we come up with solutions."