RCMP Inuit Special Constables in the North

C A N A D A

Recalling our Inuit Special Constables in the North

'Friends Not Forgotten'

Hello Joe Healy:

I have a few names of our Special Constables from my memory and experience. To begin, I was born May, 1946 outside of Kimmirut, which used to be Lake Harbour in English.

Shiutiapik E7-1 was a special constable in the 1940's, then James Akavak. I think you are familier with what their duties were so I won't go into details.

There were many special constables around the north and most of them are forgotten. Our son-in-law, Sergeant Jimmy Akavak is a direct grand-son of James Akavak. Jimmy works in Iqaluit.  His father, Sandy Akavak was also a special constable in the 1970's.  He's retired now.

These men who went out of their way to help the RCMP members. Their wives too are forgotten. They made clothings, boots, socks for the RCMP members, on top of making clothing for her family members. They taught the members 'how to' wear northern clothing. 

Anyway, there are many stories about the dog team days and outpost camp patrols.  Every region had an Inuk RCMP Special Constable. In the High Arctic, I remember Kayak.  He received the Order of Canada in 1970. He's dead now. 

Then there was Panipakooshook from Pond Inlet. He guided the famous St. Roch around the high arctic down to Vancouver with that famous RCMP member Henry Larsen. His Inuktitut name was Palualuk.

I will provide more names from other regions, like Kivaliq, (Keewatin), Central Arctic and Cape Dorset area.

Taima for now,

Ann Meekitjuk Hanson
[mailto:ahanson@northwestel.net]

'Maintain Our Memories'

J. J. Healy,
Reg.#23685