Support an Inuit Community Member's Memorial Costs

On August 19, Erica Kopalee learned that her brother Jamesie Kopalie had passed away of heart complications one month before. She was not notified by the hospital, the police, or the shelter that had sent him to the hospital in critical condition. She learned this news through word of mouth in the community.

Now, Erica would like the opportunity to put her brother’s remains to rest on the land in Iqaluit, where they grew up.

Round trip flights to Iqaluit cost between $2000.00 and $3000.00. Gas, food and essentials are also prohibitively expensive in the North. She will also need funds for the memorial, gas, and supplies to go out on the land.

Erica has been working very hard on her healing and recovery over the past two years, but she continues to face many barriers to accessing the help she deserves. On top of this, she has met many tragic losses in her family that make grief and healing ongoing. This is the second loved one that the Kopalee family has lost in less than a month.

Unfortunately, these tragic losses, are not a coincidence. Indigenous people, especially Inuit, experience loss after loss in their families due to the ongoing impacts of colonialism and inter-generational trauma. We owe it to Indigenous people in our community to show up and offer support in their times of need.

Please help us remove the financial burden to Erica of honoring Jamesie’s life and helping his family heal.