Homicide victim honoured by photo in Nunatsiavut Assembly

A man who was killed in Halifax in Januaryis being recognized for his work with theNunatsiavutGovernment and the Labrador Inuit Association (LIA).

• Labrador man slain in Halifax remembered for 'kindness and caring'
• FrankLampe'sson charged with 2nd-degree murder in father's death

A portrait of Frank John Lampe was presented to the Nunatsiavut Assembly last week.

It will hang in the public gallery in tribute toLampewhospentmore than 20 years workingas theLIA'sland claims director and economic development advisor.

"I thought it was an excellent idea," said Jennifer Hunter, who made the presentation."It brought joy, happiness, sadness, everything."

Family tragedy

Lampe, 58,was found dead in the hallway of a Halifax apartment building in January. His death was devastating to Hunter and her family, and thetragedy is compounded by the circumstances.

Hunter's brother, EliasLampe, 20,is charged with second-degree murder in connection with their father's death. The case has yet to go to trial and Hunter saidshe hasn't spoken to her brother since he was arrested.

"Everybody has their own grieving ways," she said, "we have to overcome it at some point."

Hunter said the last few months have been tough, but she is happy that her father is being recognized for his work withNunatsiavut.

The portrait was unveiled at an early-morning ceremony during the last day of Assembly sitting.

"I'm so soft-hearted and I burst out crying in tears when I first started off," Hunter said.

"Everybody must have had tears in their eyes, everybody knew him."

Sharing the space

TylerEdmunds, Speaker of theNunatsiavutAssembly, said it was an emotional ceremony.

"Even before we began the air was quite heavy. Everyone was thinking about the work that they've done with him in the past, thinking about the friendships that they've had with him," he said.

"It was certainly very powerful when Jennifer got up and addressed the assembly and told them what an honour it was to be able to do this and finally permit John to get the recognition that he deserved."

Edmundssaid the portrait will hang in the public gallery, where people can watch assembly proceedings.

"It's there for everyone and just made sense for us to not only share this space with the living, but those who have served us and passed on as well," he said.

"Of course we're going to be met with more requests to do these types of things in the future, and if we can have the portraits of our former leaders and those who have made an impact ... overseeing and surrounding the assembly as we conduct our business, it's a beautiful thought."