Twin Flames singer charged with historical sexual offences
Sunchild Deer-Okpik, also known as Jaaji Okpik, was a police officer in Nunavik in the 2000s
One of the singers behind the musical duo Twin Flames faces seven charges over alleged sexual offences from the early 2000s.
Sunchild Deer-Okpik, also known as Jaaji Okpik, is accused of a range of offences which are said to have occurred between January and May 2000.
The charges include sexual assault, sexual touching of a young person while in a position of authority, and forcible confinement.
The 48-year-old, from Quaqtaq, Quebec in Nunavik, allegedly had two victims according to an arrest warrant obtained by Radio-Canada.
His lawyer, Nadine Tooma, said Okpik firmly rejects those accusations.
“Mr. Okpik denies the allegations brought against him, which are purported to have occurred over 25 years ago. He will vigorously contest these charges in court as soon as possible,” she said in an email.
Quebec’s police watchdog, the Bureau des enquêtes indépendantes, is investigating as the accused was a police officer in the region in the early 2000s.
Okpik is currently touring across North America with his band, and most recently performed in Iqaluit, Nunavut, on Saturday.
Twin Flames has received numerous awards over the years, both in Canada and abroad. Their website states they’ve had 50 music awards and nominations, including being four-time Canadian Folk Music Awards winners.
With files from Félix Lebel
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Twin Flames hope to use music to revitalize Indigenous languages, storytelling, CBC News
