She was my only girl’: Nunavut teen’s death sheds light on failures in fighting TB – CBC

Despite territory’s high rate of tuberculosis, Ileen Kooneeliusie was not diagnosed in time to save her life

Mar 23, 2017

Matthew Kilabuk walks into the Inns North hotel in Qikiqtarjuaq, Nunavut, and begins blowing on his hands to warm them up. It is -30 C outside, without wind chill.

Kilabuk, a well-known local artist who’s trying to sell some of his drawings, is wearing mitts but the sheepskin is tattered and thin. When asked why he doesn’t have a better pair of mitts, he shakes his head.

“My daughter made these for me before she died,” he replies.

Ileen Kooneeliusie was 15 years old when she died in January from tuberculosis.

Read More: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/tb-nunavut-teen-death-ileen-kooneeliusie-1.4036205

NationTalk Partners & Sponsors Learn More