Patrick Garland last saw Joshua Qiyuk as the young chef was heading home following his shift at Garland’s eatery. Garland recounted their parting, where he wished Qiyuk a good day and anticipated seeing him the next day, to which Qiyuk responded gratefully. Tragically, the next morning, Qiyuk’s lifeless body was discovered in the peaceful residential neighborhood of Meadow Park Place in Ottawa’s eastern region. The 21-year-old had been fatally stabbed.

Matthieu Boisvert, a resident of the area, stumbled upon Qiyuk’s body on that fateful morning, describing the incident as surreal. Boisvert acknowledged the profound impact on Qiyuk’s family and acquaintances, emphasizing the emotional toll it took on them.

Known for his enthusiasm and diligent work ethic, Qiyuk left a lasting impression on those who crossed paths with him in Ottawa. Garland vividly recalled their first encounter over two years ago when Qiyuk, then a teenager, approached the restaurant seeking employment. Impressed by Qiyuk’s earnestness and culinary attire, Garland promptly hired him, recognizing his invaluable contribution to the team.

Trudy Metcalfe-Coe, a respected Inuk chef and one of Qiyuk’s early mentors in the culinary scene, commended his dedication to preserving his heritage. She highlighted his active involvement in catering events showcasing traditional Indigenous cuisine. Qiyuk recently completed a culinary program for Indigenous chefs at Algonquin College, a milestone Metcalfe-Coe praised him for achieving.

Metcalfe-Coe lamented Qiyuk’s untimely demise as a significant loss to the culinary community, particularly in a city with scarce representation of Inuit chefs. She emphasized the profound impact of losing a promising talent like Qiyuk, underscoring the shared aspirations within the culinary realm that Qiyuk was poised to contribute to before his tragic passing.