Family seeks inquiry into Iqaluit woman's death

The family of an Iqaluit woman who died after allegedlybeing turned awayfrom the local hospitalare demanding a public inquiry.

Elisapee Michael, 52,died in Ottawa on Aug. 13, four days after she fell down the front stairs of a hotel in the Nunavut capital.

On Friday, the lawyer representing Michael's family sent an open letter to Premier Eva Aariak, urging her to call a public inquiry into the death.

"What we're hoping to do in these circumstances is to garner public support, to demonstrate to the premier, that the public does want an inquiry into this matter," lawyer Scott Wheildon told reporters Friday.

According to Wheildon's open letter, Michael fell down the front stairs at the Nova Inn on Aug. 9 and was taken by ambulance to the Qikiqtani General Hospital.

But some time after Michael's arrival at the hospital, staff claimed she was intoxicated and called the RCMP. It was not known if she had seen a doctor.

The letter states that after Michael had spent 11 hours locked in an RCMP cell, police called the hospital to say they were bringing her back.

Hospital staff allegedly told police they were too busy to accept her, according to the letter.

Three hours later, Michael was found on the floor of the police cell. She was taken back to the hospital, then medevaced to Ottawa, where she died of head injuries on Aug. 13.

Wheildon said the incident raises serious questions about the conduct of hospital staff and the RCMP.

"These are public institutions, these are public questions, and I believe all Nunavummiut do not want to see an incident like this happen again," he said.

"I'm glad that it's coming out. We want to find out what happened, why it happened," said Eva Michael,who spoke for the family.

Aariak said she has receeved the letter, but would not commit to a public inquiry at this time.

"The situation is being investigated by RCMP, and the chief coroner is also looking into that as well," she said.

RCMP from Manitoba are in charge of the police investigation.