Prisoner dies near alternative justice camp
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Arviat (Feb 05/01) - Bruce Aasivaaryuk was scheduled to be released from Arviat Alternative Justice Land Camp on Jan. 29.
Instead, that's the day his body was found after a blizzard struck while he returned from checking a trap line near Maguse Lake.
Aasivaaryuk, 25, of Baker Lake, was about three kilometres from the camp when he was overtaken by the blizzard which packed winds gusting to more 80 kilometres per hour.
He was out alone after being given permission by his supervising elder to take the camp's lone snowmobile to check traps -- a common occurrence at the camp -- about 2:30 p.m. on Jan. 28.
By an eyewitness account, Aasivaaryuk's supervisor watched through binoculars as he headed back to camp as the storm approached.
Those at the camp saw him swing back toward Arviat, before he disappeared in the blowing snow.
Inmates and the supervisor immediately erected a pole and a trouble lamp at the camp and started the generator in hopes it might lead him in, with no success.
Aasivaaryuk's body was located at 2:30 p.m. on Jan. 29.
He was found near his snowmobile, about 24 kilometres from the camp.
The Arviat Alternative Justice Camp offers non-violent offenders a choice from jail.
Camp programs are designed to have inmates take part in various activities to improve their self-esteem and traditional skills, and bring them closer to their culture.
Justice Minister Paul Okalik said Aasivaaryuk's death was a terrible tragedy, but the possible benefits of the program far outweigh the risks involved.
"Every time you put an inmate out there, it's always a risk for the inmate, our officials and the supervisors at the camps," said Okalik.
"Everybody takes the risk willingly, with a view to improving the chances of rehabilitating the inmate at these camps.
"The people working at the camps really appreciate helping younger people and the program helps the younger person get a focus on their culture and their future."
Aasivaaryuk's death is being investigated by the RCMP, the Coroner's Office and the Corrections Division of the Nunavut Department of Justice.
