OJ's story: Trauma and resilience in Rankin Inlet, after death of 11-year-old

OJ Taparti had a sharp sense of humour and endless energy. He often joked around with those around him, at school and at home. He loved to run around the gymnasium at Simon Allaituq School in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, in his Air Jordans.

Almost everyone in town remembers OJ's laugh and his smile. 

July marks two years since 11-year-old Ray "OJ" Taparti Jr. was found dead in a junkyard in the Kivalliq hub. Police immediately ruled his death a homicide, but it took 15 months before there were arrests in connection with his death. 

In those long months, OJ's family felt abandoned by authorities and hopeless at the lack of closure. The community, too, struggled to catch their breath. 

"The night they found OJ my son dreamed of him being OK and alive. But he wasn't — he was dead," said a local mother whose son was friends with OJ.

"He was a very happy-go-lucky, funny boy. He was a happy kid. He'd call himself OJ Simpson sometimes … A lot has changed for us since OJ left us." 

Others in Rankin Inlet echoed similar pain and anguish. The death of OJ seemed to trigger memories of their own traumatic experiences. 

CBC and the Toronto Star co-produced an investigation into how this tragedy impacted the community. Family and neighbours of OJ opened up about what losing the boy meant to them. And about their own trauma — trauma that experts still grapple to understand and treat. 

Listen to the CBC radio documentary on this story below:

For the Toronto Star in-depth story (subscription required), click here.