MOUNTIES GET THEIR MAN

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 70, Issue 46, 5 December 1949, Page 3

MOUNTIES GET THEIR MAN

FULL YEAR OF SEARCH OTTAWA. Canada’s famed mounted police have closed a case marking another step in the slow ideological struggle to wean the Eskimo away from his primitive code of morals to the white man’s customs. The case, which involved a full year of search in the frozen wastes inside the Arctic Circle,, concluded .with a one year sentence to a 21-year-old Eskimo, Eeriykoot, and the acquittal of a 21-year-old companion Ishakak. Earlier, police described as “murder,” the hanging of Eeriykoot’s 45-year-old mother, Nukashook. However, the youths were tried on a reduced charge of assisting her suicide. The story began last summer when the mother, in an advanced state of tuberculosis, and in pain, asked hei son to help her die. Eeriykoot demurred, knowing white men would consider his actions wrong. It was only after she said, “very well, if you will not. help me I will have to do it myself,” that her son agreed. Eskimo witnesses said it had been Eskimo custom, to assist the old or sick to die. at their request. Eeriykoot testified that he would have considered It wrong not to help his« mother when she asked him to. The jury recommended clemency. Eeriykoot will serve his sentence at a mounted police post. Ho will not be, in close confinement,,, and the only real factor of his punishment will probably be his isolation from the rest of his people.