IQALUIT - Both the son and sister of Elisapee Michael testified on the first day of the coroner's inquest into her death they had no idea Elisapee had been removed from Qikiqtani General Hospital into the custody of the RCMP.

Garth Eggenberger, former chief coroner of the NWT, is presiding over the inquest into the death of Elisapee Michael in Iqaluit. - NNSL file photo

Elisapee Michael died in an Ottawa hospital in August 2009 from head injuries sustained from a fall down the front steps of the Nova Inn in Iqaluit.

A six person jury – four women and two men – are examining the circumstances surrounding the death of the 52-year-old woman. The fact-finding hearing is expected to last two weeks.

According to Garth Eggenberger, who is presiding over the inquest, Elisapee had gone to the Nova Inn bar with her son where she consumed a number of alcoholic drinks. She was asked to leave the bar and was seen falling the stairs of the hotel. A security guard found her unresponsive so an ambulance was called and Elisapee sent to the hospital.

Elisapee was deemed disruptive at the hospital, the RCMP was called and she was taken into custody and put in a cell. She appeared to be intoxicated but co-operative. Shortly afterward, it was noted she had vomited. RCMP checked her periodically and she appeared to be sleeping. After a long period of time, concerns were raised and the RCMP entered the cells where Elisapee was found unresponsive. She was sent to the Qikiqtani General Hospital where it was noted she had a head injury. She was medevaced to an Ottawa hospital the next day where doctors determined Elisapee had a severe brain injury. After consultation with her family, Elisapee was taken off life support.

William Ishulutak, Michael's 34-year-old son, said that on Aug. 8, 2009, he was selling carvings at the Frobisher Inn when his mother called, saying she wanted to go to the Nova. Ishulutak said he arrived at the Nova Inn at about 8 p.m. and found his mother sitting alone at a table at the Kickin' Caribou Lounge with two empty beer cans.

He ordered dinner and drank four beers while his mother had four more drinks. Ishulutak said he left at about 10 p.m. He added his mother asked for $40 and taxi fare, so he gave her $60.

Ishulutak said he later got a telephone call that she was going to remain in hospital but did not know she was brought to RCMP cells.

Eva Michael, Elisapee's sister, said she got a call at about 11:15 p.m that night from a cousin, saying Elisapee was unconscious outside the Nova Inn and an ambulance was about to pick her up. Eva said arrived at the hospital at about 11:30 p.m., and spent about 45 minutes there. She saw her sister but was unable to talk to her as she was being sedated to calm her down.

Eva said she gave her phone number to the nurse to call her if her sister woke up. She said on Sunday she tried to find her sister, calling the hospital, her home and her other sister, to no avail. On Sunday night an interpreter at the hospital called to tell her Elisapee was unconscious and was to be medevaced to Ottawa the next day.

She said she received no calls from the RCMP nor the nurse that Elisapee was going into the cells nor did anybody explain why her sister was sent to the cells. Eva was to accompany Elisapee to Ottawa the next day but the 7 a.m. medevac plane was too small. Eva took the scheduled flight, and arrived at the Ottawa hospital at about 5 p.m.

She said the surgeon there told her the surgery had a 50/50 chance of being successful and the survival rate after surgery was less than 50 per cent. Her family chose not to proceed with the surgery, and Elisapee Michael died Aug. 13, 2009.

Eva said the surgeon told her had Elisapee been treated for her injury within two hours of falling down the stairs, it would have made a difference.

The inquest continues.

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