Arctic Predator

Arctic Predator is the utterly gripping story of the dark side of colonialism… Through exhaustive research and first person interviews, Kathleen Lippa’s book painfully exposes the failings of those of us who were there in the education establishment. And she gives voice to the children who never had the courage to speak of the horrors inflicted on them by this cunning, duplicitous and twisted demon or who were dismissed and ignored if they did. This important book is a chilling must-read. * Dennis Patterson, retired Senator (Nunavut), former Premier of the Northwest Territories *
Unbelievable, but it’s all true. It contains all that only a survivor knows. Inuit have been lied about for decades and this book will spell it out. The crazy, untrue world Ed Horne lived in still has impact on many men who were boys when it happened. I speak on behalf of my brothers who never had a chance to be something — they had hoped and dreamed of succeeding one day. Many Ed Horne victims have taken their lives, and some victims are incarcerated. Hope they won’t blame themselves anymore. Now I’m in the light. Invisible walls have fallen. There is now room to breathe. No more walls of shame, confusion, most of all, self-doubt. * Aksaqtunguaq Pitseolak Ashoona, Inuit Cultural Advocate *
Arctic Predator is impeccably researched, and although the subject matter is deeply disturbing, beautifully written. It is the story of one of the worst institutionalized, sexual abuse cases committed by a single pedophile in Canadian history. A must read for anyone who cares about justice and the protection of children. * Michael Harris, investigative journalist *
Arctic Predator achieves profound insight into one of the most disturbing and dismaying series of events in Canadian Arctic history. This is a work of great scholarship and extraordinary depth. It sets out and seeks to understand how terrible crimes were committed by one evil man against individual children and the communities where they lived, and how the damage has spread deep and wide. Kathleen Lippa has written a book that is of huge importance and, at the same time, as accessible as it is revelatory. It is compelling and anguished and humane. * Hugh Brody, anthropologist and author of Landscapes of Silence: From Childhood to the Arctic *

I recommend this text for educators to read, for accountability and in understanding how trauma presents in humans. The intergenerational trauma shown in a transparent lens of this text can be applied to other indigenous youth currently suffering, currently being misunderstood.

While the story is undeniably tragic, I must commend Ms. Lippa for her excellent journalistic writing style. Furthermore, her thorough research is noteworthy, as evidenced by her interviews with individuals connected to the case, including educational officials, law enforcement personnel, and even Ed Horne himself, before his departure from the country.

Lippa’s descriptions of Horne’s sexual conduct may upset some readers. She is frank. But reading her book is worthwhile because she has been able to do what few crime writers can — interview both some of the victims and the perpetrator himself.

Telling this story required something else which is under threat all over the world: a commitment to the profession of journalism and the belief that its practice matters and can contribute to understanding, bring about change, and even secure a measure of justice. I think of the obstacles Kathleen Lippa had to overcome. Memories fade, recollections conflict, victims and witnesses pass away, migrate, refuse to talk to a reporter; primary sources of information become lost or destroyed over time. As well I think of broad distances and icy darkness that swallows the innocent along with the accused. Entering that icy darkness requires courage.

Kathleen Lippa grew up in St. John’s, Newfoundland, and worked as a reporter at newspapers across Canada, eventually serving as bureau chief for Nunavut News/North in Iqaluit. Kathleen divides her time between Ottawa and St. John’s.

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