Makibi Timilak's father wants Nunavut government to fire chief coroner
Padma Suramala under fire over handling of investigation into baby's death
The father of Makibi Timilak is calling for the territory's chief coroner to be fired over how the investigation into the death of his infant was handled.
Luutaaq Qaumagiaq's son was three months old when he died in 2012 after his mother sought medical help at the Cape Dorset health centre. However, the nurse in charge, Debbie McKeown, allegedly refused to see him, contrary to government policy.
Over the following months and years, chief coroner Padma Suramala's opinion of the cause of the baby's death changed from sudden infant death syndrome to a lung infection, then back to SIDS.
A report commissioned by the government of Nunavut into the circumstances surrounding Makibi's death following a CBC News investigation was released this week.
It states that varying conclusions from the chief coroner as to the cause of death has left the community of Cape Dorset and Makibi's parents uncertain about the facts, at times even making the parents feel responsible for what happened.
The baby's father says he wants to take time to look at the report.
"I think I'm just going to sit with my family and go through it because I can't read it alone without any support."
When asked if his family also plans to sue or seek compensation, he replied yes.
'Cover-up through bullying'
Gwen Slade worked as a casual nurse in the Cape Dorset health centre up until February 2012 and had filed complaints about McKeown, who was later promoted to running the health centre. She has said her concerns were ignored by Nunavut health officials and that she was punished for speaking out.
In a 30-page letter, dated Nov. 18, she asks Nunavut Justice Minister Paul Okalik for two things:
- An independent coroner's inquest into the baby's death.
- An independent forensic investigation into how the chief coroner handled the case.
"All this stems to is workplace bullying," she said. "This is how it started. And they control everything, the incompetence and the coverup, through bullying at the workplace. I endured it. It was horrendous."
Slade says she wants justice for the parents.
"For them to be treated in this manner is despicable, to be made responsible or made to feel responsible for the death of their own son, is disgusting, absolutely disgusting."
Slade says she has not received a response to her letter to Okalik. Okalik and Suramala have not responded to CBC's request for comment. In Suramala's case, a recorded message says that she is on holiday.
The report says the director for the Qikiqtani region, Roy Inglangasuk, knew about the controversies surrounding McKeown, yet she was promoted. He is no longer with the government of Nunavut. The report also says the director of health services for South Baffin at the time, Heather Hackney, was also aware of concerns regarding McKeown. She is still on staff.