EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
These social values are set to look only for those who commit a crime so they can deal with us.
However, it seems that they are not too disturbed by what we do under Inuit societal values.
Inuit societal values include disciplinary actions for people who require corrective measures.
If you live a certain lifestyle, then you will be a dependable person and people will like you.
In regard to Inuit societal values, we have set aside $100,000 for family counselling.
This is to allow elders to be able to counsel couples where they have issues or problems in their relationships inside the community so that it can be resolved internally. Also, this family counselling is where they meet with the elders and counsellors at least once a month in the communities.
The customs our forefathers followed are those we would like to incorporate into the school system. We also have other customs that our ancestors practiced that are not included in this initiative. However, we feel that under this cultural school, these programs, Inuit societal values, traditions and customs would be built into the curriculum.
All Inuit societal values would be included and identified under the cultural school legislation. These would also be identified in the school programs and legislation.
What I’m trying to say here is where we would focus on the cultural school and not focus on the schools and inclusion of Inuit societal values in the curriculum. We are focussing instead on family counselling by our elders in the communities so that the communities can deal with their own issues based on traditional Inuit customs. The fact is that without these values, our ancestors would not have survived.
So this initiative is trying to assist communities to help themselves, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Arvaluk: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation) That’s it for now.
I would like to make a comment under Directorate.
The minister’s department is being utilized more often at the community level. There’s an increase in the number of applicants going through the Grants and Contributions program. Now, even regular people are making applications and they are assisting their fellow people.
I see a potential to increase those types of services and programs. I want to raise a question in regard to that, but I wanted to make that comment first of all.
When we’re talking about Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, I feel that people are playing with the term loosely, which conjures up a big image of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, and they tend to belittle it. We have to promote it so that we’re no longer just paying lip service.
It’s something that we have to be proud of.
We grew up with a lot of pride in our culture and Inuit societal values. I have personal experience with this and that is why I can speak to the matter.
I see more issues with our current lifestyle and it is slipping away from the lifestyle and values we held even in the past ten years. If we were to use it, then we would be able to deal with more issues.
There are a lot of improvements to be had at the community level if we include Inuit societal values.
Today’s young couples are trying to fix their problems using a foreign culture.
If they break a law, they automatically get dealt with by the government entities.
We have to repatriate our Inuit societal values and develop a policy under your department since it’s dealing with actual lives.
We need to set up some guidelines without worrying about the Social Services’ Regulations and their programs.
If the Social Services’ Regulations and programs were to assist people to improve, then most of our people would not have so many problems.
I sometimes state that somebody would become a millionaire if they were able to resolve a lot of these relationship problems.
Is it possible for you to consider expanding the Grants and Contributions program so that the people who want to do instructions or be compensated can do so without requiring consultants? Communities should be given the opportunity to develop this locally, and perhaps have an Elders’ Advisory Committee.
I would like to know if you would consider that and what your position is on this.
The statement “Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit,” the government will adopt Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit in their departments, is kind of misleading.
It didn’t sit well in Arviat when we had our first meeting and shortly thereafter, we were trying to define the term and originally thought it was to integrate or implement the Inuit values and customs using Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.
The response was, “How will we implement it?”
There are a lot of elders out there who asked, “What is the definition of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit?”
And because of that, we had made some changes to the term.
Inuit values, customs, and beliefs, those that Inuit feel are important, will be implemented through Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.
We made that change and from there, we’re looking at setting up policies and guidelines.
The people who passed along the issue did not consider the impacts and breadth of the term and it seems this has magnified the problem since we adopted our legislation from the GNWT and most of them do not have Nunavut-specific or Inuit-specific provisions.
I totally agree with the member that we have to reconsider all of our options and how we can incorporate Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit into the policies and guidelines of the GN. The next steps are to define Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit so that it’s no longer just a term but an actual defined word so that it can be included in our government, Mr. Chairman.
Yes, I appreciate that. If we don’t expand the programs, then we will have to get approval from another culture. Even if we are talking about education, it may be too late, so it seems like we will have to work on it as soon as possible.
I can say that in Iqaluit, there’s an individual who has held sewing classes every year without any kind of money coming from the government and she does not even do this all year long. This individual has sewing classes for Kamiik and other traditional crafts, and not it’s just young people but adults are also involved in those classes.
This is very beneficial, so I think we need to provide these types of initiatives with assistance.
I can also say that we have to regain what we’re losing - traditional values, methods, and so on, that were taught when we were growing up.
We must repatriate these cultural values.
For example, there are people who don’t have anything to eat, especially widows, who feel unwelcome and who wonder how they will have food to eat.
We must regain all of those practices.
If elderly parents start losing their independence and the hunter has not been taught the traditional methods and customs, then that person would go hunting but not in a traditional manner.
Some of us were taught from a young age about traditional harvesting practices. When we harvest an animal, we would give the entire catch to our parents for them to distribute as they saw fit.
Even when they did not request any food, we gave it to them.
We did not question whether or not they had food; we just dropped it off so that other elders can come and get their own portions.
These are the practices I have in mind that must be repatriated into our culture.
I have noted that many hunters, although they have relatives who are hungry, do not assist them and this is what we have to remedy as Inuit.
Can you take these ideas into consideration?
Yes, we will definitely have to do brainstorm about this and other issues. I believe the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Committee will be having a meeting next month and I will definitely ask them to take this under consideration.
The reason I brought that up is because it’s about time they offer courses, even for the people who are unilingual, if they can offer courses for a month or two to young people.
There are some people who are willing to learn how to make igloos.
Those grants and contributions should be used towards that because it will definitely help incorporate some of the Inuit customs and traditions. As we understand them, they will be encouraged to start practicing their customs and they could also be taught other matters.
Based on the English culture, to be wise, you must ask a lot of questions and just keep asking questions.
I have never heard any Qallunaaq mention this, “I would like to hear your response.” It seems all they want you to do is ask questions.
In Inuit culture, we often wait for a wise response, especially when it’s in regard to young people.
Due to that reason, we have to open the door a bit more so that initiatives can be developed to be taught to the younger generations and we should make those available to our young people.
I will definitely want to hear what changes will be made after their meeting. Will you be able to do that?
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): Yes, definitely. I will also be notifying the members on the developments. In Igloolik and Clyde River, we have looked into Inuit societal values, especially in relation to family counselling.
They will inform the community through the radio every week about their issues and how Inuit ought to handle each other while they’re working on Inuit societal values. We can look at expanding this to other communities and we will see how they can make improvements.
I would like to welcome the minister and his officials here to the Committee of the Whole.
I just have a couple of questions on staffing levels at the department.
I know, prior to the Minister of Human Resources tabling the latest reports during this sitting, last March, I think the department had 14 vacant positions and according to September 30, the latest one, they’re up to 20 vacant positions.
Looking at the report, almost two-thirds of the positions here in Iqaluit are filled and around three-quarters of the positions in Igloolik are filled.
I’m just wondering if you could give us an indication of what’s causing this.
There seems to be a decline since last March in the department’s filled positions.
Can I just get any indication of what’s causing that?
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk: I’m going to get my deputy to respond to that, Mr. Chairman.
Ms. Hainnu.
Ms. Hainnu (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Currently, of the positions that are vacant, there are nine in Iqaluit, seven in Igloolik, two in Kugluktuk, and one in Baker Lake. From what we understand from other departments, the trend seems to be either that they move to different jobs or other departments, or have moved on. These are some of the reasons that the positions are vacant.
Chairman: Thank you, Ms. Hainnu.
I am sorry for calling you minister.
I thank Ms. Hainnu for that response. Did she indicate then that there are nine vacant positions in Igloolik, or is it nine vacant positions here in Iqaluit?
I would just like some clarification there.
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): Yes, there are nine vacancies here in Iqaluit.
Your headquarters is here, so I’m just wondering, that must place a strain on the existing staff that are there.
I’m just wondering if you could give us an idea of when and what actions are taken to fill those vacant positions within the department.
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk: I’ll get my deputy to respond to that, Mr. Chairman.
We are currently preparing the job descriptions for the Application Coordinator and also a French Interpreter, although we have one on a casual basis.
For the Communications Officer, we offered it to a person but that person changed his or her mind and it will have to be re-advertised.
In regard to the archaeological position, there is one currently being reviewed by the HR Department.
We have a francophone employee who is on medical leave right now.
Our administrator recently quit due to accepting a new position and her PY is currently being reviewed by our employment officers, and these same positions are also under review.
For the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Researcher position, which is just about to be put out, is also undergoing a review and I believe that it will be opened for competition next week.
There is another position in communications and we are currently reviewing the responsibilities of that position.
I noted that just under the Division of Culture and Heritage, and I know we’re not on that division now, but it’s this Directorate that sets out the framework for the department and that there is an additional PY in that division.  I’m just wondering if he could give us an idea of what exactly that position is for.
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): Mr. Kolot will respond to that.
Mr. Kolot: Mr. Chairman, I would like the member to repeat his question, please.
Looking through it, I know there’s an additional PY that has been added to the Division of Culture and Heritage and I’m just wondering what that job entitles. I know we’re not under Culture and Heritage but it’s the Directorate that sets all that out, so that’s why I’m asking that question.
Actually, for the 2008-09 fiscal year, there is one PY left under Culture and Heritage from the previous year, 2007-08, if you look at the business plan on page F-24.
The reason for that position being less is because that is Vote 4/5 funding and it is not required for the Heritage Places Initiative, so it’s one PY less.
I thank Mr. Kolot for clarifying that.
It seems like it was in a different division. Under Official Languages, that one has gone up, so maybe I’ll just get him to clarify that.
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): Yes, Mr. Chairman. The French Interpreter position is stated there.
Mr. Chairman, I noted that, going through the business plan for Directorate, the only area we see an increase in the budget from the previous year is in the IQ area under Directorate.
I’m just wondering if he could give us an indication of what that increase is going to be used for.
Those who take part in Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, or what we call the “Inuit Societal Values project” in English, are people in the communities.
That funding was increased to include the Kitikmeot region. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Again, this is the Directorate that deals with the policies and direction for the department.
I know the minister, just today, tabled a status report on the cultural school.
I’m just wondering, because we haven’t got it yet, it was just tabled today, if he could give us an overview of that and where things are at with it.
Where are we at with the cultural school and in terms of an update with the Nunavut Heritage Centre? We are still in preparatory stages. The staff is working toward these preparations for the cultural school.
We had space in Clyde River for the heritage centre and the cultural school, but due to problems with that site, we had to look for another site.
There is a site now, identified last month, in Clyde River for 2008. It’s been identified and CGS officials are probably going to be surveying the site.
Also, in April 2008, the architects are going to produce drawings on the possible facility size and shape this summer and we expect the date for the opening of the heritage centre to be some time in 2011.
However, for the off site schools in Igloolik and Baker Lake, these two projects will be commencing shortly.
Particularly in Igloolik, there are preparations for program and curriculum development.
In Baker Lake, they are working on curriculum subjects and programs.
For these reasons, the school in Clyde River would most likely be opened in 2011.
These are the preparations we have undertaken to date.
Mr. Chairman, in his Minister’s Statement today, he said they’re “well on the way to design and construction,” as he just indicated.
I know we’ve had students that have come to school here that have had to go home because they didn’t have accommodations.
So I’m just wondering what plans the department has to… or if they’re working with the Department of Education, or if they’re doing it on their own, are student accommodations going be included in the design of the school itself? How do they plan on accommodating the students that would be enrolled in the school?
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): In our preparations for the opening of the school in Clyde River, students will have separate accommodations. Mr. Chairman, the school in Clyde River will have the capacity to accommodate 26 students.
Those are some of the matters we have dealt with to date, Mr. Chairman.
Are the accommodations for students all part of the same building that they’re looking at?
Is the department working in conjunction with the Department of Education that’s responsible for student accommodations on that?
The cultural school and student accommodations are the responsibility of CGS because they deal with capital projects.
We have another working group that is looking at other issues related to the creation of the school.
I can say, Mr. Chairman, these are run by the Department of Education in preparation for the school as well as the preparation of programs. We work together with the Department of Education and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated and other entities. We are working with these organizations and we discuss matters that require brainstorming for the issues related to the opening of the Inuit cultural school.
Another component I know that we have been told over the last couple of years is with all capital projects, the government is looking at all the other costs associated with projects.
Here with the school, you had mentioned they’re looking at 26 students. How many staff are they looking at having employed at the school?
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): We will have to review it further because I don’t have the report with me with the details on the staffing. It will most likely have 13 staff but I have to confirm it... oh, I have it here. There will be 14 staff employed at the cultural school in Clyde River, Mr. Chairman.
Does the department have staff housing available, or will those employees be eligible staff housing?
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): Yes, they will be constructed as well, Mr. Chairman.
I know the Housing Corporation is responsible for staff housing, so has the department contacted the Housing Corporation with their plan saying, “Okay, this time we’re going to need so many staff housing units available in the community”?
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): Yes, we have already informed them of how many buildings and staff housing that we will need when the cultural school opens in Clyde River.
Chairman: Thank you, Minister and Mr. Tootoo.
Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. $3,650,000.
Official Languages. Page F-5.
I have a question for the minister and his officials about the official languages and the reports that were tabled in the House on the Official Languages Act and the Inuit Language Protection Act.
I have a question to the minister.
NTI wasn’t happy with the Official Languages Act and they wanted to see stronger language in the Inuit Language Act.
Can the minister elaborate on what the concerns of NTI were and how you are going to rectify their concerns with the Language Bills?
I would like to know which direction the minister is going. Although it is not a question, I think you know better than I as to what the Official Languages Act is all about. (interpretation ends) Thank you.
Just for clarification of all members, questions to the minister on legislation that is before a standing committee are permitted as long as the questioning does not interfere with the committee’s work.
Mr. Minister, please proceed to answer Mr. Curley’s question.
We have heard, not just from NTI but also other organizations, concerns about the Official Languages Act that it is not strong enough language; Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated in particular.
As the Government of Nunavut, there has never been an Official Languages Act or anything similar to it in Nunavut with respect to languages and their recognition. Therefore, our official languages need to be recognized within Nunavut and we would like Inuktitut to have the same status as the French and English languages. This is my understanding of Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated’s concerns.
However, Mr. Chairman, it is my understanding that Ajauqtiit is still considering amendments to the Official Languages Act and whether we should strengthen the wording of the bill or make revisions. We are waiting for some of their answers as to whether we are going to do any amendments to strengthen the Official Languages Act or if we are to add revisions.
We are still waiting for the committee’s final report, Mr. Chairman.
However, I’m sure you hear from people privately as they have written letters of concern, as well as the Standing Committee Ajauqtiit dealing with the Language Bills, but I have not heard of those details.
(interpretation ends) In terms of public (interpretation) input, you hear from concerned people everywhere, along with public letters of concern in the newspapers. In terms of the public, and I know you hear and receive letters from everywhere, have you heard complaints and concerns from Inuit elsewhere?
Can you resolve the issues of concern or does it seem that a solution can be found?
That is my final question. (interpretation ends) Thank you.
We received a number of responses on the phone-in show on television and the majority of callers supported the bill.
Via several other broadcast avenues on the radio, Jonah Kelly from EIA had recorded some reactions on a number of radio shows and had them sent as tapes for broadcast to all communities.
We have not heard much else other than support for the most part. Inuit constituents have indicated their full support for the bill and feel it is long overdue for the protection of the Inuit language in Nunavut and that is largely what we have heard from individual Inuit.
As far as organizations go, the Francophone Association, Nunavut Tunngavik, and the Languages Commissioner have been most vocal on the issue.
However, the comments we have received from ordinary Inuit overwhelmingly support the Official Languages Act, but organizations have been somewhat less enthusiastic. That is what we have received up to now, Mr. Chairman.
I guess this is the area with official languages. I would just like to ask a question as to the status of negotiations with the Government of Canada on a Canada-Nunavut general agreement for the protection of French and the Inuit language.
We’ve had a cooperation agreement on the languages issue with the federal government for two years now and we have just recently signed it for the next two years.
I’m just wondering if the department has thought about, or priced out, or asked, or considered asking for an increase in this funding in the agreement as a result of the proposed two pieces of legislation that are in the hands of the standing committee.
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): My deputy will respond to that question, Mr. Chairman.
With regards to the two-year cooperation agreement that we want to sign, first of all, there’s a bit more room than the first agreement, so we can make changes if we wanted to.
In addition to that, we’re now starting to write our correspondence to Minister Vernon to let him know that the funding we receive is inadequate. So there’s detailed correspondence that we are drafting at this point.
It doesn’t surprise me to hear that the funding we’re getting from the federal government is inadequate. It seems to be the way they like to deal with Canadians.
As Ms. Hainnu had indicated that’s inadequate, have they determined how inadequate it is?
How much of an increase do we need in that agreement for the department to say that there was an adequate amount there?
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk: My deputy will take that question.
According to our review of the cooperation agreement, I think the population of French in Nunavut is 400 and we receive about $3,000 per capita for the promotion of the French language.
Looking at what we receive for the promotion of the Inuktitut language, it’s about $32 per capita.
That’s the difference.
There is more money for French language services but it would be ideal if Inuit language services were on an equal footing, and we have written a letter to the federal government stating that that’s something we would like them to consider.
I thank Ms. Hainnu for that response.
Does the department have a total dollar amount that would make the agreement adequate? Is it $500,000; is it $10 million?