Files related to 1941 Belcher Islands murders donated to GN – Nunatsiaq News

Nov 3, 2023

Arctic historian Kenn Harper donates first-hand material documenting arrival of RCMP, court officials to Sanikiluaq

A series of murders that took place in Sanikiluaq in 1941 is the subject of historical documents that have been donated to the Government of Nunavut archives.

Arctic historian, author and Nunatsiaq News columnist Kenn Harper made the donation, which includes selected files documenting the arrival of court officials and the RCMP to the Belcher Islands, now Sanikiluaq, in 1941 for the investigation of the murders and the trial that followed.

In the strange case, the actions of a religious movement led by Charley Ouyerack, Peter Sala and his sister led to the deaths of nine people, including six who died from exposure after being convinced to remove their clothes outside in preparation for the end of the world.

According to the book ‘Religious Frenzy’ and the Application of Canadian Law, on Aug. 20, 1941, a jury convicted Ouyerack and Sala of manslaughter. Both men were sentenced to two years in prison with hard labour.

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