From Saturday’s Globe and Mail
Published Friday, Apr. 08, 2011 7:44PM EDT
Last updated Saturday, Apr. 09, 2011 11:06AM EDT
PATRICK WHITE
In the weeks before his messy old life caught up with his clean new one, Leo Nangmalik may have been the happiest ex-con in the North. Relatives said his skin tone took on a vibrant hue and his mangled spine seemed more nimble.
That brightness was evident in a picture that appeared on the front page of The Globe and Mail last Saturday, in which Mr. Nangmalik gazes towards the horizon, betraying a trace of a smile. For the previous two days, he’d shared some deeply personal tales, and it felt like a great weight had been lifted from his heart. It had been so long since he’d felt so good, he said. His story acted as the hopeful coda to an article about Nunavut’s uncertain future.
The Trials of Nunavut
Two days before that article was published, Mr. Nangmalik took his own life.
It was a tragic end to a troubled journey, made even more poignant by the stretch of late-blooming tranquillity. That period began one morning last November, a few days before the photo, when Mr. Nangmalik attended a mens’ healing session organized by a group from Coral Harbour, 300 kilometres southeast of his Repulse Bay home. They asked him to tell his life story, to let the pain out and, for the first time in his life, he did. It took hours.
Mr. Nangmalik was 50 years old at the time, father of 13 children, victim of three broken backs, holder of a lengthy criminal record. He’d attended Northern Canada’s most notorious residential school, Sir Joseph Bernier in Chesterfield Inlet, where he said he was sexually abused by nuns and priests. When he tried to talk about it at home, he said a relative beat him. He looked to sex, drugs and violence for outlets. He moved to Igloolik and became, he was somewhat proud of saying, the biggest drug dealer in Nunavut. For that, he said he spent five years in prison, partly in Iqaluit’s Baffin Correctional Centre.
Later in the week, when the Coral men held a healing service for the entire 800-person community, Mr. Nangmalik stood up at the front of the town hall and told everyone that the cathartic confessional had made him feel “a lighter person, a better man.” He felt like telling more people. That’s when photojournalist Peter Power and I approached him.
He wanted to tell us everything about “all the great pain I’ve caused in my life,” but preferred to do so in his home, a ramshackle cabin about six kilometres from town without heat or electricity. Built of landfill scraps, the shack clung to a rocky point jutting into the icy bay. The snow outside reached our hips. There was no temperature difference inside. We creaked upstairs through an old refrigerator door rigged to insulate the master bedroom. Mr. Nangmalik lit two Coleman stoves, removed his jacket and fixed some tea. He had been living there for 18 months, he said, waiting for housing to free up in town.
For the next hour and a half, he ran through his life’s inventory of abuse, both endured and doled out. Much of it appeared in the paper last Saturday. He was making his peace, moving on, and he asked us to spread the word. He never knew when or if his story made print.
In the months that followed, Mr. Nangmalik’s progress continued. An apartment finally opened up in Repulse Bay. When friends visited, he would dash over to a light switch and flick it repeatedly, marvelling at the thought of life with electric lights and running water.
“He was skipping around the place he was so happy,” said his cousin, Loretta Kanatsiak, who lived next door. “He was healing. You could see it in his face. It went smooth. Everyone saw it, the smooth face.”
He’d found steady work as an interpreter with the Coral Harbour group, who travel throughout the region with partial support from Health Canada.
His last trip with the Coral Harbour men took him to back to Igloolik on March 23. They were offering counseling help at a Truth and Reconciliation hearing, according to Ms. Kanatsiak. Someone in town recognized Mr. Nangmalik from his past life as a drug dealer. They reported him to the RCMP, who had an outstanding charge on file, according to his family. He was permitted to return to Repulse Bay, but he was certain the charge would drag him back to Baffin Correctional Centre for a long time.
“With his health and his back, he did not want to go back there,” Ms. Kanatsiak said. “He was a different man now. He was bright. And he didn’t want to go back to that place.”
A day before he was to return to Igloolik for a court date, he met with family, gently informing them that he was going to take his life. There was no talking him out of it.
On March 30, just after lunch, Ms. Kanatsiak heard news of trouble at her cousin’s home. She rushed to his apartment with her uncle. There was no answer at the door. Eventually they forced their way in and found him in his bedroom. That smooth, bright skin was cold to Ms. Kanatsiak’s touch. Mr. Nangmalik had shot himself in the head.
The RCMP reported the incident immediately, but no name was released until Saturday, April 2, the day Mr. Nangmalik’s gaze peered from newsstands across the country.
Leo Nangmalik’s casket now rests in the community cemetery surrounded by stones. His family has gathered in recent days from surrounding communities and his cousin has tried to ease their sadness. “He healed himself, he was okay,” she said. “We all knew it was going to happen. He planned it. He told us. We know where he is now, in that graveyard where he wanted to be.”
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Globe Editorial
The needless death of Leo Nangmalik
Toronto Globe and Mail
Published Monday, Apr. 04, 2011 5:08PM EDT
Last updated Tuesday, Apr. 05, 2011 2:12PM EDT
The suicide of Leo Nangmalik just days before he was profiled on the front page of The Globe and Mail is a chilling glimpse into the despair of so many of Nunavut’s people.
Mr. Nangmalik bravely shared his story of abuse at a healing service in Repulse Bay with journalist Patrick White, vowing he wanted to live and get past his hardships. But the 50-year-old shot himself last Wednesday, four months after the interview.
This makes it particularly galling to read the words of Nunavut’s Health Minister, Tagak Curley, who assured Mr. White: “Suicide isn’t such a big problem any more.”
It is impossible to know what could have saved Mr. Nangmalik. But official denial about Nunavut’s astronomically high suicide rates, and the government’s failure to implement its own suicide treatment plan, certainly didn’t help him.
Nunavut has a suicide rate for 15- to 19-year-old men that is 40 times the national average, says Jack Hicks, a suicide researcher at the University of Greenland.
Yet the current government has failed to show leadership. It must act now and bring this social problem into the light by rolling out proven and inexpensive suicide reduction methods. These include: restricting access to lethal means, including guns, prescription drugs and carbon-monoxide emissions in vehicles; increasing treatment of depression and substance-abuse disorders; and training people to identify those at risk of harming themselves.
Ottawa must also declare this social ravage unacceptable, and help Nunavut to help people such as Mr. Nangmalik. Let his loss finally galvanize authorities into action.
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Rising up in Arviat
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, March 9, 2011
ARVIAT/CORAL HARBOUR – The Coral Harbour counselling group Angutiit Makigiangninga (Men Rising Up) made its second visit to Arviat this past month.
The meetings were reported as a big success, with 45 to 50 men attending.
Making the trip from Coral were Noel Kaludjak, Paul Pudlat, Bobby Saviakjuk, Willie Nakoolak, Moses Noah and Tony Eetuk.
Joining the Coral men were David Nuluk, Simeoni Netseck and Leo Nangmalik of Repulse Bay, Mike Panika, Barry Nangmalik and Jack Ekwalak of Whale Cove and Baker Lake’s Martin Kreelak.
Kaludjak said the trip attracted a larger turnout than the first time into Arviat.
He said the men in the community were more aware of the group’s visit and its mission this time around.
“They were ready to receive us this time and do exactly what we came there to accomplish,” said Kaludjak.
“The meetings were held at the Mark Kalluak Hall, which offered a more open and spacious environment for the men who wanted to attend.
“We owe thanks to support staff Kevin Sanguin, Orral Kiffiak and Bruce Handley, as well as Health Canada, George Dunkerley at the Pulaarvik Kablu Friendship Centre in Rankin, the Kivalliq Outreach Program, John Mcfee at Kivalliq Air, the people of Arviat, Mayor Bob Leonard and church leaders Thomas Ubluriaq, David Uglukark, Hattie Alagalak and Joe Mamik.”
Kaludjak said the group tries to bring and attract as many younger men as possible when it visits another hamlet.
He said the group is still receiving numerous requests to visit communities outside of Coral.
“We’re hoping our next trip is to Whale Cove.
“It’s still in the works, and not certain yet, but we’d very much like to get our group to that community.
“We’re also going to have another big gathering in Coral this summer, probably on the third week of August.
“We’re very excited about that, but we have to make sure it’s well planned because proper planning is the key to holding successful big events like that.”
Kaludjak said communities have to accept Angutiit Makigiangninga for its work to be successful.
He said the movement gets stronger every time it’s accepted by another community.
“When we go to a community, the people know what we’re trying to do and what our aim is.
“A movement to help men become better people, fathers and husbands has been a long time coming, and it gives families who are having issues right now the hope they’ll be able to deal with the problems.
“More and more men are being encouraged to come to our meetings, and many appreciate the chance to speak about their issues in their own language.
“True feelings really start to come out when we speak in our own language.”
Take an extra moment to watch the video clip. Look at the pain in Leo’s eyes. It’s there. Such pain. So deep.
The damage done.
So sad. So terribly terribly sad.
May God have mercy on poor dear Leo’s soul.
For those who are unable to access the video link at the top of the article, here is an external link to the video on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYFEZV_rP0E
Syliva: Re: Leo’s Abusers (and have they been prosecuted)
Leo spoke about his abuse at the Truth and Reconcilliation hearings. He may have provide names. As well, Patrick White, the journalist may have information regarding this. I know nothing regarding this (yet).
I have a hard time listening to this without crying, when he says “I am not lying“…..for the extreme anxiety disclosure causes one does not lie in order to be worried sick that no one will beleive you, or the feelings of undeserved shame and how it will affect your family, your standing in his catholic family and the community as a whole. Self doubt as a man and the loss of personal power.
Sadly the person who hurt this child hindered him and will answer to a higher power. Leo`s choice must be respected as his pain may have been too unbearable, too great but he did leave a legacy of courage he believed and understood This was done to me. For people not to be lost because of their abuse we must be open to speaking with care and concern and without judgement.
I would like to know who these children are,as I’M THE OLDEST of (leo nangmalik)I only know 11 of them.Who said 13? I WANT MY NAME&E-MAIL PUBLISHED cuz I want answers thanx
I would like to know who the children are,as I’m the oldest of(Leo nangmalik).i only know 11 of them.I WANT MY NAME &E-MAIL PUBLISHED cuz i’d like some answers.thanks
Loreen, my very deepest sympathy to you and your family on the death of your dear father. Such a sad sad story. It sounded as though he was doing so well and was really reaching out to help other victims through their pain. As I said above, I could see the pain in his eyes on the video. Such deep deep pain. And now, with his death, such pain for you and your family. I am sure your childhood years were not easy, but, easy or not, the loss of a father always hurts so very much.
My thoughts and prayers are with you. I pray for the repose of your father’s soul. May he rest in peace.
You are looking for answers Loreen. I don’t know where the number 13 came from other than it was in the April Globe and Mail article which is posted above. It was written by Patrick White.
The number could be a typo, or it could be an error, or, it may be fact. However, as the oldest in the family I would think you would know how many children your father had. I can understand why you want to get it sorted out. I am sure that if you contact Patrick White he will talk to you.
Good luck.
The dear late Mr. Leo Nangmalik, towards the end of his life, fell into being a victim of yet another religious organization. He was working as an interpreter for a Pentecostal men’s healing group. According to the Globe and Mail, “The approach was not exactly clinically orthodox: The Coral Harbour group, complete with four-piece rock band, was running a Pentecostal prayer service,” and according to Red Deer clinical psychologist Dr. Bruce Handley describing typical meetings in the Repulse Bay/Arviat/Igloolik area: “I promise it will be a very interesting service,” he said. “They get up front and confess their sins and sing and cry. When they really feel the spirit, I’ve actually seen them vomit that evil all over the floor.”
Having become a Catholic after 20 years in the Pentecostal movement, including my becoming a pastor legally ordained to ‘marry and busy’ in the Province of Ontario, I can share my disgust with the non-professional way in which so-called ‘healing ministry services’ are conducted. There is also no such thing as the very basics of confidentiality in these settings.
It was not surprising to me to read that Mr. Nangmalik found himself arrested on an old drug charge and facing imprisonment. First of all, he had been ‘confessing’ to everyone about his drug dealer history.
The Globe and Mail reports: “Someone in town recognized Mr. Nangmalik from his past life as a drug dealer. They reported him to the RCMP, who had an outstanding charge on file, according to his family. He was permitted to return to Repulse Bay, but he was certain the charge would drag him back to Baffin Correctional Centre for a long time. ‘With his health and his back, he did not want to go back there,’ Ms. Kanatsiak said. ‘He was a different man now. He was bright. And he didn’t want to go back to that place.’ A day before he was to return to Igloolik for a court date, he met with family, gently informing them that he was going to take his life. There was no talking him out of it.”
There is another aspect to this sad tale. I refer to the conduct of the RCMP. I am not saying that officers should not arrest people with outstanding warrants. But I venture to say that in this small locality, with Mr. Langmalik known to so many people, including the RCMP, no doubt, since he had served time in the past — well, isn’t it a little weird that all of a sudden he is identified, and arrested so quickly? The local RCMP detachment I am sure has dozens of other people whose warrants are ‘out there’. They don’t have the time or the interest to arrest everyone.
But here we are in 2011, and the Globe and Mail is going to print a feature story, and here is a man who suffered abuse in a Catholic school. He is going to receive a lot of publicity.
There are elements within the RCMP which have been complicit with the cover-up of Catholic Church abuse of Native children for decades. The story highlights the fact that Mr. Langmalik had been present at a “Truth and Reconciliation” service.
Somebody gives an order. “Take him out.”
This is why I support the work of Rev. Kevin Annett and the ITCCS. It’s not because I hate the Catholic Church. I want the Catholic Church held accountable. They may be sued, they may be settling out-of-court. They have not fully confessed to their crimes. They must be made to pay, in more than dollars and sold real estate properties.
It is the Catholic Church which needs a “Truth and Reconciliation” service, and then many many individuals need to be sent to prison for a long, long time.
typo: “marry and bury”
Ms Thomson: Unless you know the Arctic culture and Mr Nangmalik well, I suggest you reconsider. You do not know the role and value of various religious practises in these communities. Your comments reflect your reality and may not translate to this setting. You do not know that there are Inuit (Eastern Arctic) and Inuvialuit (Western Arctic), not described as ‘native’. You mean well – I am sure – but you are judging and your knowledge-base may not apply to the context.
I have been holding off my comments on this one but…
Everything and anything is possible I believe when considering the actions of “the people in positions of power”, whether in the church or the secular world…However I have to believe that in this situation the R.C.M.P. member/detachment became aware of Mr. Nangmalik probably through the newspaper or other means suggested. The problem was that he had probably been “forgotten” (the warrant…) in a filing cabinet or because of transfers of members or any number of other possibilities…maybe even laziness or because of “time constraints”…
To suggest a conspiracy or collusion in an organized way I believe is painful even to the victims family but we have to always keep an open mind…without becoming cynical.
R.C.M.P. members have the same problem as most other civil servants and workers in the private sector: they have to produce…results …”statistics”…they have to meet their “quotas”… and an executed warrant sometimes is just a statistic or another “ticky” on the ladder of promotions! If their is a conspiracy, this is the most likely one , that the R.C.M.P. members are not expected to be social workers but the primary tool of the Justice system. Yes they have to produce to get and keep their jobs. If you spend too much time wanting to be a social worker or “thinking” too much, the job is not for you.
On the other hand, I could also suggest that a member or members chose to ignore the warrant as long as they could….but had their hand forced when it became public knowledge.
The only person who would know for sure is the one who dug out the warrant. He was damned if he did and damned if he didn’t.
The problem always appears to be ones fear of loosing his position, his power, his status over “the others”… as we see in the church and everywhere else. We keep worrying and creating ever more rules and regulations, and obligations…
Then we loose the human being and say how terrible it is!
Who will dare to treat the rules as secondary to a life?
It should never be otherwise and the system will never change unless and until we all commit as individuals to making it better.
It should never be the other persons problem.
My sincere thoughts for Mr. Nangmalik’s family and friends.
JG