Makibi Timilak's father wants Nunavut government to fire chief coroner

The father of Makibi Timilakis calling for the territory's chief coroner to be fired over how the investigation into the death of his infant was handled.

LuutaaqQaumagiaq's sonwas three months old when hedied in 2012 after his mother sought medical helpatthe Cape Dorset health centre. However,the nurse in charge, Debbie McKeown, allegedlyrefused to see him, contrary to government policy.

Over the following months and years, chief coroner PadmaSuramala'sopinion of the cause of the baby'sdeath changed from sudden infant death syndrome to a lung infection,then back to SIDS.

A report commissioned by the government of Nunavutinto the circumstances surroundingMakibi'sdeath following a CBC News investigation wasreleased 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 evenmaking the parents feel responsible for what happened.

The baby'sfathersays 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, hereplied yes.

'Cover-up through bullying'

GwenSladeworked as a casual nurse in the CapeDorsethealth centre up until February 2012and had filed complaints aboutMcKeown, who was later promoted to running the health centre.She has said her concerns were ignored byNunavuthealth officials and that she was punished for speaking out.

In a30-page letter, dated Nov. 18, she asksNunavutJustice Minister PaulOkalikfor two things:

• An independent coroner's inquest into the baby's death.
• Anindependent forensic investigation into how thechief coronerhandled 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 aresponse to her letter to Okalik. Okalik and Suramala have not responded to CBC's request for comment. In Suramala'scase, arecorded message says that she is on holiday.

The report says the director for the Qikiqtani region, Roy Inglangasuk,knew about the controversies surroundingMcKeown,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.