Sister of Iqaluit girl killed 38 years ago wants families to 'not lose hope'

The sister of an Iqaluit girl whosedeath has beenunsolved for nearly four decades said she hopes an arrest in the case gives others hope.

Elisapee Sheutiapik, whose 15-year-old sisterMary Ann Birmingham died in 1986, said she and her family are grateful for the support they've received since an arrest was madein connection with Birmingham's death.

Last month, Jopey Atsiqtaq was charged with second-degree murder.Until then, the case had beencold for 38 years.

Atsiqtaq attended court inIqaluit on Tuesday andhis appearance was put over. The court case was supposed to be heard again on Jan. 7, but has been pushed to Feb. 25 because Atsiqtaq's lawyer is not available.

Sheutiapik's family and friends were also in the courtroom on Tuesday. She said although the support has been incredible, she knows there are other families in Nunavut who are going through what she went through.

"There's others who are going to be triggered, I know that," she said.

Sheutiapik, a former MLA and Iqaluit mayor, said she hopes to bring people together for the next court appearance to show support for each other. She hopes to organize a walk from the jail to the courthouse.

"We waited so long. Yes we're going to be triggered but we could stand united," she said.

"To see us out there walking, united, remembering. Not to lose hope I think that's so very important."

Sheutiapik said she and her family have received support from people across the territory.

"We're fielding calls. It's amazing."

Even with the support, Sheutiapik said she and her family arebracing for what she hopes won't be a long court process.

She said she's also happy to see that families are being supported now going through court.

"None of that existed back in the day. As hard it as it is, there's some positive things happening."

Sheutiapik said she hopes that other people "suffering silently" also speak up about their own situations.

"I think of every one of them," she said. "Let's not lose hope. Thirty-eightyears later, here we are."