Qulliit Nunavut Status of Women Council is calling for sexual offender Ike Haulli's Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal to be revoked.
"Qulliit’s council members are expressing outrage at the conduct of Ike Haulli of Igloolik. Haulli’s violent, predatory and calculated behaviour was heinous," stated a May 24 news release from the women's council. "By referring to his crimes as mistakes he attempted to minimize his acts of traumatizing violence."
Qulliit is encouraging members of the public to support its stance by writing letters to Rideau Hall in Ottawa asking for the medal to be rescinded. Haulli, owner of Savik Enterprises in Iglulik and a former president of the Baffin Regional Chamber of Commerce, received the distinction in 2013. The medals were given to 60,000 Canadians for their contributions and achievements.
As a result of a civil suit earlier this year, Haulli was ordered to pay $1.2 million to four victims of his sexual assaults, carried out between 1968 and 1986 when the victims were between four and 15 years old.
"We applaud all the women and girls who have so courageously come forward, who have been victimized by these violent acts," Qulliit's statement reads. "We stand with you against these crimes and this injustice. We offer you support through information and organizations wanting to assist you."