Tommy Takpanie

Tommy Takpanie was born outside of Kinngait in 1936 and he grew up in the area surrounding Pangnirtung before moving into Kinngait at five years old. In 1955 he and his family moved by dog team to Iqaluit. During this period Tommy worked briefly at the airport unloading planes before moving on to employment at the DEW Line site at Fox Three. Tommy’s testimony includes information on the alleged dog slaughters. He recalls that the RCMP would shoot underneath the houses where the dogs would run to hide. Tommy was angry after the shootings because his dog team was his only mode of transportation. He states that he did not receive any notice that loose dogs would be shot.