Inuk on the bench is a favorite
Inuit listen to what JP has to say: Mountie

by Chris Meyers Almey
Northern News Services

NNSL (June 16/97) - Justice in Broughton Island is about as close as one can get to an aboriginal people's justice system in Canada.

Three-quarters of those accused of breaking the law appear before the local justice of the peace, who is Inuit, instead of waiting for a territorial court judge to come to the community.

As RCMP Cpl. Mark Wharton says, it's much better than "parachuting in three Mounties."

Wharton also follows local preferences, not laying the heavy hand of the law on people when he doesn't have to.

On Broughton Island, nobody wears seat belts, for example, so instead of levying a fine he offers firm but gentle reminders about safety.

"If something major happens, the rule of law applies," says Wharton. On the other hand, "if I feel it's a problem and the community doesn't, I leave it alone."

Wharton has been a police officer in the North for five years and Broughton Island for just three, but he and the other Mounties in the community speak Inuktitut, so there is usually no translator needed in court.

But what has made the most difference in court with Broughton residents is that justice of the peace Eliyah Kopalie is aboriginal, not white. And another Inuit JP, Daisy Arnaquq, has just been approved.

Wharton notes that Inuit listen to an Inuit JP.

They look at punishment differently than southern people, Wharton says. An Inuk feels more comfortable when it is one of his own people dealing with his criminal charges.

Justice is also dispensed faster, as a territorial court only happens every two or three months in Broughton.

Wharton said the JP can deal with matters such as two men fighting, but not when it comes to spousal assault, because this is viewed more seriously.

That means about 75 per cent of the crimes in the community can be dealt with by the JP.