Nunavut teacher to serve 8 years in prison for abusing school children

Former Nunavut teacher Johnny Meeko will serve more thaneight years in federal prison for sexually abusing school children in Sanikiluaq.

In December, Meekowas found guilty of 27 charges for crimes committed between1972 and 2007.He originally faced 32 sex-related charges, and he pleaded not guilty to all of them.

Many of his victims were eightor nine-year-old girls in elementary school.Eight women, and one man, testified against their former teacher at the judge-alonetrial that started in 2015.

• Former teacher Johnny Meeko 'went from an angel to a devil,' says witness

Justice Neil Sharkey delivered his sentence Thursday morning at the Nunavut Court of Justice in Iqaluit.

"Johnny abused his position of trust," Sharkey wrote in his sentencing. "He abused the trust of the children in his charge as well as the trust of his community, which places great faith in the integrity of teachers."

In a video-conference from Sanikiluaq, some survivors were seen hugging each other as the sentencing was read.

Sentenced to 9.5years

The judge issued judicial stays on 13 counts because they relate to the same criminal activity as the remaining 14 convictions. The sentences for each offence ranged from one month to three years, most to be served consecutively.

Sharkey said that added up to 14 years and six months in prison.

The judge then reduced that total by five years according to the principle of totality, which is an adjustment made to consider the culpability of the offender and his age, and to avoid "crushing" any hope for rehabilitation.Meeko is 63 years old.

When factoring all of these things, Sharkey sentenced Meeko to nineyears and sixmonths in federal prison.

The sentence was reduced by another one year and five monthsfor time Meeko served in custody. In total, he will serve eight years and one month in prison.

Meekois also prohibited from contacting victims while he is in prison and from contacting minors under 16 years old for five years, unless another adult is present.

Sharkey'sdecision also includes an order that prohibitsMeekofrom using a firearm for 10 years, with an exception for hunting.

Encouraging victims to come forward

Sharkey told the courtroom that his sentencing is intended to encourage victims of sexual abuse to report abuse.

"Year in and year out, [Meeko] remained confident that none of his young victims would dare complain, or if they did, they would not be believed," Sharkey said in his sentencing.

Sharkey said families and communities need to reverse a "culture of silence" that exists in Nunavut.

• Former teacher Johnny Meeko lined girls up and touched their breasts: witness

Hepointed to organizations like Pauktuutit, which supports Inuit women in Canadaand plays a role in educating communities about sexual abuse.

The court can also send a message that sexual predators will face consequences and survivors will be taken seriously when they come forward, Sharkey said.

"It was not until 2012 that Johnny Meeko's victims were able to muster the courage to come forward and complain to the police," Sharkey said in his judgment.

"No sentence I impose today will undo the damage which Johnny Meeko has caused these victims."

The sentence comes after a civil case of a prominent businessman in Igloolik, Ike Haulli, who was found liablefor nearly 20 years of sexual abuse toward four people dating back to the 1960s.

• Igloolik businessman removed from chamber of commerce amid sex assault revelations

Meeko, surrounded by two guards, said goodbye to his wife before leaving the courtroom on Thursday morning.

Meeko will be back in court May 7 to deal with accusations of breaching his bail conditions.