Moses Tarkirk describes the two brothers shot and killed this week by police in Salluit, Que., as valuable members of the community he has known since they were children.

“They help the community, they’re great hunters… they’re really good people,” Tarkirk said.

Joshua Papigatuk was killed when Nunavik police opened fire early Monday morning. His brother, Garnet Papigatuk, was seriously injured and taken to hospital.

Joshua also had a newborn baby, Tarkirk said.

“I miss him a lot…his life was just beginning. It should never have ended this way.”

Monday’s shooting remains under investigation by the Bureau of Independent Investigations (BEI), Quebec’s police watchdog, prompting calls for police and investigators to be “as transparent as possible”.

The BEI says initial investigations suggest police responded to a call about a person attempting to drive while impaired. A physical altercation ensued, during which Tasers and pepper spray were allegedly deployed before police used their weapons.

A BEI communications advisor confirmed to CBC that it was analyzing footage from officers’ body cameras during the incident, as well as videos submitted by witnesses. These images will not be released to the public until their investigation is complete.

BEI investigators hoped to be in Salluit by Tuesday evening, but bad weather delayed their arrival.

Data from the office of the chief coroner of Quebec between 2000 and 2018 found Nunavik has recorded more police-related deaths than any of Canada’s three territories, despite a population of about a third of each territory.

Tarkirk said he has seen too many friends die at the hands of police in Nunavik.

“We’re all thinking: How many people are we going to lose? How many more people are going to die or get hurt?”

Joshua and Garnet Papigatuk were victims of a police shooting in Salluit, Quebec on Monday. The incidents are still under investigation by the Bureau of Independent Investigations (BEI), Quebec’s police watchdog. (Submitted by GoFundMe/Justice for the Salluit Twins)

Repercussions throughout the region

The shooting affected people across Nunavik and beyond on social media, with people posting the hashtags “justicepourjoshua” and “justicepourlestwins.”

Protests also continued on Tuesday, notably in Quaqtaq, Kangirsuk and Kuujjuaq.

About fifty people demonstrated Tuesday in front of the regional administration office and the Kuujjuaq police station, chanting the words “don’t shoot” and “justice for the twins.”

Organizer Suzy Kaukai called on other communities to join the protests.

“There is a lack of trust between communities and the police,” she lamented. “They have a responsibility to be transparent…we don’t want to be left in the dark. That’s why we protested.”

Kuujjuaq station of the Nunavik Police Department. (Félix Lebel/Radio-Canada)

Martha Gray was among the protesters.

“Our police officers are not soldiers, they are peace officers,” she said.

In a written statement, Salluit Mayor Maggie Saviakjuk urged shooting investigators to listen to the voices of all Sallumiut.

“This tragic event has renewed fears about our personal safety and the loss of loved ones who cannot be replaced,” Mr. Saviakjuk wrote.

Officials respond to calls for transparency

Ian Lafrenière, Quebec minister responsible for Relations with First Nations and Inuit, said he understood the protesters’ frustration.

“Let’s wait for the investigation. Let’s see the results. It’s a difficult moment for the community. It’s a difficult moment for the police officers too,” he told reporters at the Quebec National Assembly.

The Kativik Regional Administration (KRG), which exercises civilian oversight over the Nunavik Police Service (NPS), said it is working closely with its partners and ensuring that the Sallumiut have the resources they need. need.

“We have stressed the importance of BEI investigators communicating with local and regional authorities and being as transparent as possible with their findings. I will continue to make this point clearly to all levels of government,” said KRG President Hilda Snowball in a statement. .

Hilda Snowball is the president of the Kativik Regional Government. (Félix Lebel/Radio-Canada)

Jean-Pierre Larose, head of the NPS, committed in a press release to “redouble our efforts to regain the support and trust of the Sallumiut and all Nunavimmiut of Nunavik.”

Moses Tarkirk, however, has a clear message for them.

“We want justice for the twins and justice for Joshua,” Tarkirk said.