EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
After the Utkuhiksalingmiut moved to the multi-dialectical town of Gjoa Haven, they expressed strong interest in having a dictionary of their dialect. They feared Utkuhiksalingmiutitut was being lost or greatly changed through contact with other Inuktitut dialects and with English.
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker, this Nunavut Arctic College publication represents Dr. Briggs’ 50 years of dedication to the preservation of Utkuhiksalingmiutitut.
This book is also an expression of Dr. Briggs’ gratitude to the Utkuhiksalingmiut who assisted her five decades of work.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Dr. Briggs, Dr. Alana Johns, and Conor Cook for their persistence, detail, and dedication to Inuktitut.
This book is an example of the important work that is possible through the collaboration of Nunavummiut and southern scholars.
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker, this book is one example of many new and exciting projects of Nunavut Arctic College’s new publishing division, and it is available for purchase at Arctic Ventures Marketplace and online at amazon.ca.
I encourage both northern and southern readers to continue preserving and promoting Inuit culture through our language and the joys of reading. I will be recognizing an individual at the appropriate time.
Member’s Statement 054 – 4(3): 2015 High School Graduates from Constituency (Mapsalak)
I say “good day” to the people of Coral Harbour, Naujaat, and Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the people of Coral Harbour and Naujaat students who graduated grade 12.
I will mention the names of the graduates for Coral Harbour. The graduating students are:
Victoria Ell,
Cianna Ell,
Gail Angootialuk,
Lenny Emiktowt,
Devon Bruce,
Richard Netser,
Kathy Ottoqi,
William Nakoolak, and
Katelyn Kalai.
From Naujaat, the graduates are:
Roxanne Siusangnark,
Katelyn Siusangnark,
Melissa Siusangnark,
Anita Kopak, and from Hall Beach is a student who went to finish his studies in Naujaat, Jeremiah Qanatsiaq.
Mr. Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues to congratulate these graduates and they have more opportunities to further their education.
Member’s Statement 055 – 4(3): Office Space Deficit in Sanikiluaq (Rumbolt)
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address a longstanding issue that continues to affect the residents of my community.
As I have stated previously in the House, government employees in Sanikiluaq continue to work in inadequate conditions.
Staff at Sanikiluaq’s health centre continue to work in overcrowded conditions and an employee in another facility is actually working out of what was intended to be a closet or storage space in the building.
Mr. Speaker, I have been raising this issue in the House for several years now and on a number of occasions I was told that the government would not address the situation in Sanikiluaq until it had completed a Nunavut-wide office space study.
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Community and Government Services has recently given me a copy of his department’s office space needs assessment study. I recognize that the lack of office space is an issue for numerous communities in the territory and I believe that the conclusions of this study would be of interest to all Nunavummiut.
My concern, however, is that in the time that it took to undertake and complete this study, employees in my community have continued to work in overcrowded and inadequate office spaces.
Mr. Speaker, if the government expects employees to carry out their duties to the fullest extent possible, then the government must provide an environment that facilitates professional excellence.
Mr. Speaker, from my initial review of the document, the conclusions of this study echo the very issues that I have been raising for the past several years, namely, that there is a concerning lack of office space for government employees in Sanikiluaq.
Mr. Speaker, I strongly encourage the government to find a way to address this issue in as soon as possible.
At the appropriate time today, I will have questions on this issue.
Member’s Statement 056 – 4(3): Suicide Crisis in Nunavut (Joanasie)
I say “good day” to the people of Cape Dorset and Kimmirut as well as all Nunavummiut.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to formally applaud Premier Peter Taptuna, Minister Paul Okalik and their cabinet colleagues for designating suicide as a crisis in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, I commend Minister Okalik who is the first Minister responsible for Suicide Prevention and for speaking from his personal experiences.
Mr. Speaker, I believe this announcement is a step in the right direction in dealing with the issue head-on.
I encourage my colleagues and other leaders to continue pressing for ways to improve the quality of life of Nunavummiut and to provide more options to choose life and to deal with challenging situations.
Mr. Speaker, it is clear that there is political will to challenge Nunavut’s suicide issue and I hope that, collectively, we can reduce its impact and effectively support the cause.
Mr. Speaker, we must stop hurting ourselves.
When we hurt ourselves, we are hurting others. As I stand here today, I want to remember and express my hurt from people that left us all too early.
Mr. Joanasie, please proceed.
We must stop hurting ourselves. I want to remember and express my hurt from people that left us all too early. It hurt me to see my friends, classmates, and people I care about cut their lives short.
Mr. Speaker, I believe that we must not bottle up our emotions any longer.
By sharing our stories and asking questions, we can counsel ourselves, our families, and our friends.
Talking about the issue of suicide openly can help us reach some level of peace and develop solutions.
Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will have some questions for the Minister responsible for Suicide Prevention.
Member’s Statement 057 – 4(3): QIA’s 40th Anniversary (Mike)
Thank you and good day to my fellow residents of Pangnirtung.
Yesterday, the Premier of Nunavut indicated that the Qikiqtani Inuit Association celebrated their 40th anniversary, which I am very proud of.
I would like to remember and celebrate the community negotiators. I was involved in that celebration.
At that time, there were four of us from Pangnirtung with CLINT (community land identification negotiating team).
The late Jaypeetee Akpalialuk, representing the wildlife division, was one of the negotiators with the Baffin Regional Inuit Association, along with the late Norman Komoartuk, representing the elders was Inuusiq Nashalik, who is now 97 years old, and I was representing the hamlet council. We were part of the land identification negotiating team.
Each community had teams in the Baffin region and it was spearheaded by Pauloosie Keyootak He was of tremendous help when we were identifying the lands for the South Baffin communities.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. (interpretation) Are there any nays?
Hon. Johnny Mike (interpretation): Thank you, my colleagues.
At that time, it was around 1988-92 for the South Baffin communities of Qikiqtarjuaq, Pangnirtung, Iqaluit, Kimmirut, and Cape Dorset. Some of the negotiators have passed on and some are still here.
We had land identification negotiating teams in all communities.
We have to recognize Inuusiq Nashalik especially, to be well taken care of, and to be recognized by the Qikiqtani Inuit Association. I rise today to recognize this individual while he is still here.
I would like to make sure that other elders are also recognized for their contributions.
Those are some of the few individuals from South Baffin who participated in identifying the lands and negotiating.
Member’s Statement 058 – 4(3): Appreciation for Compassion Following Summer Tragedy (Enook)
Good afternoon to the people of Pond Inlet and to my daughter.
Mr. Speaker, I was informed by one of the Pond Inlet residents about my pannikallak, Nina Kautuq.
Mr. Speaker, as Nunavummiut and members know, on August 16 this summer, there was a tragic accident this summer.
There was a fire and there were four deaths at that time.
This is something that was very hard for the people of Pond Inlet and we were hurting at that time.
I have been told and would like to say “thank you” on behalf of the family, the mother especially, Nina Kautuq.
There are many individuals we have to be grateful for.
There are so many to name, but she indicated that the entire world knows about the hospitality of Canadians.
It was shown there at the time of the tragic accident.
The people of Nunavut also indicated their willingness to help their fellow Nunavummiut.
Nunavummiut have always shown their support during difficult times.
There are many people to thank and I would like to begin with the people of Pond Inlet, and “thank you” will always be too little.
I didn’t hear any nays. Mr. Enook, please proceed.
The people of Pond Inlet show their gratitude, but the word “thank you” will always be too little.
Also, the staff at the nursing station, the nurses and staff also worked very hard on the accident victims. The search and rescue operations also lent their tremendous support and did all they could to help the victims of the accident.
At that time, there was a tourism boat with doctors who were able to help the victims.
Also, the people of Pond Inlet kept the victims’ home clean and brought food. A lot of people went there to show their condolences and there were people who were there to give support to the family.
Mr. Speaker, at the time of the accident, they had to be medevaced out of the territory to various hospitals and the evacuees needed medical escorts. There had to be quite a large number as they were six victims that were evacuated and they each needed an escort.
Because everything like airfares, meals, and accommodations cost money, the Department of Health was there to help and also made sure that the immediate family members stayed in one place in Winnipeg and in Ottawa.
The people of Nunavut also made a huge contribution to individuals they didn’t know so that the victims and their families were able to stay together in Winnipeg and in Ottawa. We would especially like to thank the following who made financial contributions: people of Clyde River, Kimmirut, Pangnirtung, Iqaluit, and Kuujjuaq in Nunavik. Also, there is an individual, Ocean Umphrey, from Prince George, who fundraised for the victims and their families.
I indicated earlier that Canadians are known for their hospitality.
The father of the family was a huge Edmonton Oilers fan.
Because this made national news, the Edmonton Oilers Hockey Club made a contribution to help the victims and their families.
Canadians are still very well known for their hospitality.
My panikallak, Nina Kautuq, her family and her mother, Regilee Ootook, as well as her extended family would like to extend their appreciation to you, your communities, to the people of Nunavut, and to all Canadians.
Member’s Statement 059 – 4(3): The Netsilik Series (Ugyuk)
We feel the Member for Tununiq’s statement.
We appreciate that too.
We were told to wear sealskin today. I am grateful for representing the people of Netsilik.
The Netsilingmiut from Kugaaruk, Itimanniaq and Paniaq and their adopted child, had been filmed and many people still watch those films today. I am proud of them because they’re teaching Inuit customs, even though they’re not there anymore.
They are showing Netsilingmiut traditions on how to hunt, go camping, cultural practices, and they are showing their culture in film. We the young ones have forgotten such things and we can watch those films now. I appreciate that.
They have descendants in Kugaaruk and I am proud of you for them having been filmed.
They were filmed a long time ago. I wanted to show my appreciation today as we are wearing sealskin.
In the film, in the spring, Itimanniaq was pretending to be a seal and harpooned a seal at a breathing hole, running after it. I want his relatives to hear this.
Member’s Statement 060 – 4(3): Appreciation of Nephew and Mr. Mapsalak (Okalik)
Earlier this summer, it was beautiful in Nunavut.
My son has moved here now and he went caribou hunting. Since there is not much caribou around here and my nephew lives in Rankin Inlet, he went there and caught his first caribou.
I was so proud of him and I appreciate my nephew, Norman, for letting him catch his first caribou.
Later on, I wanted to watch him catch his next caribou. I was with him in Naujaat and we went out with Mr. Mapsalak and his son. When Mr. Mapsalak found a bull caribou, it was my son’s birthday and he caught his first bull caribou.
I thank the Mapsalaks very much for taking us out. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Returns to Oral Questions. (interpretation ends) Hon. Minister Monica Ell-Kanayuk.
Return to Oral Question 016 – 4(3): Decentralized Positions in Pond Inlet (Ell-Kanayuk)
This is a return to an oral question that was asked by Joe Enook, MLA for Tununiq, to me on October 21, 2015.
The answer is:
The Transportation Programs Officer (TPO) position was advertised from June 19, 2015 to July 3, 2015.
The candidates were screened and job interviews were conducted.
Although the position has not been filled, an offer has been made and we expect it to be filled in the coming weeks.
I would like to recognize with my colleagues, Sean Guistini.
He is the manager of resource development at Arctic College.
Conor Cook is from Inuit Uqausinginnik Taiguusiliuqtiit.
These two were involved in putting together the publication I showed earlier, Utkuhiksalingmiut Uqauhiitigut Uqauhiliurut, Dictionary of Utkuhiksalingmiut Inuktitut Postbase Suffixes. That’s the publication from those people. I would like you to recognize these individuals and I thank them.
Question 064 – 4(3): Motor Vehicles (Mikkungwak)
(interpretation ends) As the minister is aware, concerns have been raised in Baker Lake on a number of occasions regarding the lack of a full-time employee to deliver motor vehicles services in the community, including driver examinations and issuing of licences.
In June of this year, the minister informed me by way of correspondence that these services would be provided by the community’s government liaison officer with support from the Department of ED&T’s regional office in Rankin Inlet.
Can the minister tell me today if her department has any plans to hire a full-time employee in Baker Lake to provide motor vehicles services to the community and, if not, why not?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, Ms. Monica Ell-Kanayuk.
The issuance of driver’s licences is, in many of the communities, handled by the government liaison officers. In Baker Lake, they have a GLO who is quite capable of issuing driver’s licences.
Mr. Mikkungwak (interpretation): Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) It is my understanding that the Department of Economic Development and Transportation made a presentation to the Nunavut Association of Municipalities at its recent annual general meeting in Cambridge Bay.
Can the minister indicate what changes she is planning to make to the Motor Vehicles Act and when she is planning to introduce them in the Legislative Assembly?
Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, Ms. Ell-Kanayuk.
I thank you for that question. My staff travel to the communities when they are invited.
To date, we have tried to see how to improve the issuance of driver’s licences. We have seen now that we need more examiners in Nunavut.
Therefore, we have decided that we need an examiner in Iqaluit. We want to hear from everybody on how we can make improvements.
I also thank the minister for her response. (interpretation ends) It is my understanding that the government is considering introducing a ban on “distracted driving,” which would prohibit the use of cellphones or other devices when operating a motor vehicle.
Does the government envision this ban being enforced by GN employees or municipal by-law authorities?
We’re still working on the Motor Vehicles Act and how exactly it’s going to be set up, and who is going to be responsible for what. If I try to respond, it would be too soon.
Some people who drive vehicles these days who are distracted will be included in what we are working on.
Question 065 – 4(3): Baffin Island Caribou Survey (Enook)
Mr. Speaker, at yesterday’s sitting, I asked about caribou and the ban on caribou harvesting, and whether we would be able to harvest caribou. I would like to get further information today.
I will first ask the Minister of Environment.
He said that they are doing a survey right now.
How long is this survey going to be conducted and where are they doing the survey?
It’s probably on Baffin Island, but which part of Baffin Island?
Hon. Johnny Mike (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank my colleague for the question.
The survey started last month. I have no information on whether it’s completed by now, but I can state that this was set up as a summer survey.
I would just like to note that the first survey that was done in the middle of winter was conducted for a whole month.
That’s how long I expect the survey to take.
If the survey is done for a month, what area is being surveyed?
If he can further clarify, how are they doing the survey?
They’re surveying Baffin Island in the caribou moratorium area. That’s how it is. The islands are included in the survey.
The areas that were surveyed last year included the islands. I mean the bigger islands south of Hall Beach. They are part of the Baffin Island caribou moratorium area.
Let me base my question on this: on August 25, the Department of Environment’s document states that the survey is going to be studying to see how many females, calves, and males there are.
If I understand correctly, that’s what they’re going to be counting and that the survey will be completed in the fall.
We call fall different things. What do you mean by fall? After they are completed in the fall, will the results of the study be announced?
The results of the survey which are being done right now will be given to the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board in December of 2015.
That’s what we normally do and that’s what we are planning to do in December of 2015.
Question 066 – 4(3): Local Housing Organization’s Operations (Mapsalak)
Mr. Speaker, I would first like to ask a question about housing associations. The boards are elected by the communities.
When they are looking for a manager, who is responsible for that?
Hon. George Kuksuk (interpretation): Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I say “good day” to my fellow Nunavummiut. I thank the member for that question.
Mr. Speaker, it is the housing associations that hire their managers.
Has the minister ever seen or known of a housing association that has been dealt with by the Nunavut Housing Corporation and not the locally elected housing association to hire managers themselves?
Do you know of an instance in which the Nunavut Housing Corporation hires the manager for the local housing association?
Mr. Speaker, I can respond by saying that the Nunavut Housing Corporation helps when they get a request for help from the local housing associations.
We use our office to help the local housing association and we can provide the support that way.
Even though that’s the way things work, local housing association boards are supposed to hire their own managers that will work for them.
Has it ever happened that the Nunavut Housing Corporation has appointed a manager without going through the local housing association?
As I stated earlier, the local housing associations hire their own managers and other staff members to work in the housing association.
That is their responsibility under the management agreement and that is what they do.
That’s how I can respond to that question.
Question 067 – 4(3): Western Hudson Bay’s Polar Bear Harvest (Savikataaq)
I would like to question the Minister of Environment.
I have been questioning the minister on the decision of NWMB and his decisions on the total allowable harvest for polar bears in the western Hudson Bay.
Yesterday, Mr. Shooyook was questioning him on the total allowable harvest of caribou on Baffin.
I believe that his statement to me and then his statement to Mr. Shooyook are different and he’s using different standards.
I’ll quote from the Hansard and I know these are not edited. This is from yesterday on page 34.
The minister is quoted, “I trust that the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board followed the comments or the submissions that were made by other parties because they recommended that they only harvest male caribou.”
He said that he based his decision on the recommendation of NWMB.
If you go to page 35, the minister said, “As a government, we are no longer able to do things on our own as to what kind of caribou should be harvested.” Another recommendation that he has taken from NWMB, he stated.
Further down, “However, as a government, we cannot make our own decisions now when it comes to that kind of issue.”
Mr. Speaker, on the decision that the recommendation NWMB has made to the minister regarding the total allowable harvest for the western Hudson Bay, he seems to be making a decision, yet he has told Mr. Shooyook that he cannot make that decision.
I would like the minister to state which it is.
I spoke in Inuktitut yesterday and I will speak in Inuktitut today. The English that you read is not what I said.
This is what I was trying to say: these days when there are agreements that we have to work with, one group, even if it is government, cannot do it on its own now. When it comes to wildlife, we have to work with our wildlife partners.
The government can’t do it anymore on its own because we have wildlife partners under agreements. That’s what I was trying to say.
I thank the minister for exactly stating my point.
The government has to work with its counterparts.
In the case of the western Hudson Bay, it’s the NWMB and they have made a recommendation to the minister and the minister, I believe, is going against the recommendation because he has not made a decision yet, even though the TAH should have been out by July 1.
When is he going to come out with a decision on the TAH for the western Hudson Bay?
It is progressing. It is going ahead. Since I received the letter from the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board, it is progressing forward.
Right now, I have written to the chairman of NWMB about this matter.
Like the minister stated, he has to work with his co-management counterparts, the NWMB.
NWMB has made a recommendation to him.
My questions are clear and precise and very understandable.
I would just like to ask the minister why he won’t just give me a clear, straightforward answer.
With our wildlife management partners, these days when the situation is like this, the minister can approve or deny or make another decision on the recommendation from NWMB.
That is what we are going through now. The Kivalliq Wildlife Board is meeting right now. We work closely with the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board and we talk about the recommendations and decisions.
We don’t always agree with each other, but we agree most of the time. If we see polar bears in Nunavut, we see that the total allowable harvest has been going up a little bit. There has been no real decrease.
Question 068 – 4(3): Office Space Deficit in Sanikiluaq (Rumbolt)
Mr. Speaker, I have previously raised concerns in the House that the current level of office space in Sanikiluaq is insufficient for Government of Nunavut employees to carry out their duties.
Earlier this year, the minister provided me a copy of his department’s office space needs assessment for all of Nunavut.
I believe this document includes important information that should be made available to the public. However, I recognize that the document is 200 pages long.
Will the minister commit to tabling in the House a summary of the Office Space Needs Assessment for Nunavut, including the main findings and conclusions of this study for each community?
In regard to the member’s question, I can respond by saying that government offices in Nunavut have been assessed and we are now looking at the results from the assessment. In looking at that, we will start making plans.