TO MAKE THESE TRIBES UNDERSTAND - THE TRIAL OF ALIKOMIAK AND TATAMIGANA

Alikomiak and Tatamigana were the first Inuit tried and executed for m urder under Canadian law. The case was the third in a series of killin gs of outsiders by Inuit in the western Arctic which had begun in 1912 ; the first two had resulted in more lenient treatment. The trial of t hese two men, which took place in the summer of 1923, was in the natur e of a show trial, designed by the federal government to show the Inui t that the authorities would no longer tolerate such acts of violence. It was also meant to be a demonstration to the world of Canada's sove reign rights in the Arctic, rights which had an uncertain foundation i n international law. The conviction and execution of Alikomiak and Tat amigana caused controversy at the time; sentiment for clemency was bas ed on claims (made then and subsequently) that Inuit were simple and p rimitive, and did not understand the principle of execution for murder . It is asserted here, however, that the sentence was entirely in keep ing with Inuit custom, and that alternatives to execution suggested by those with better knowledge of the North were in some ways even harsh er than capital punishment. Extracts from the capital case file and th e transcripts of the trial make these paints clear.