EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
There is a weekly article in the Nunatsiaq News written by Kenn Harper, Taissumani, that we can peruse. It talks about Inuit historical figures as well as Inuit assistants who were instrumental to the early arctic explorers.
None of these articles are even available in our communities, specifically the ones referencing Inuit.
I would cite the example of the Greenlanders who were hired to look after the RCMP officers in the High Arctic. Another example pertains to the family of Panikpakoochoo. I do not wish to name individuals, but this is just information.
This family, amongst others, was prominent in assisting the RCMP and the government when they were attempting to showcase Canadian sovereignty by creating the High Arctic communities of Resolute Bay and Grise Fiord.
There were quite a number of Pond Inlet Inuit families who were hired to work with the relocated Inuit about the Greenlanders in the High Arctic, where there are fish, where there are walrus, where there are polar bears.
Canadians were taught by the Greenlanders. We are not interested in those stories.
Personally, I have been privy to the stories told by others.
I would like to then ask: is your department attempting to teach the local librarians about the history of Inuit or books that reference Inuit and whether you have access to a database outlining these important, historical books?
With respect to your question, I will ask Doug, the Assistant Deputy Minister to my right, to respond in detail regarding public libraries and what training strategies and funds we may have available. He is much better able to provide details on this matter.
Nonetheless, Mr. Chairman, I would like to elaborate with respect to any person who wishes to publish literature in Nunavut. We are allocated funds by Ottawa that is allocated for language materials and these funds are geared towards Inuktitut language projects. They can apply for funding through that program if they were interested in writing history books and also if they wanted to write about Inuit societal values.
That kind of funding is available.
Mr. Chairman, through you, if you don’t mind, I would like to have Doug answer the question regarding libraries and distribution of library books, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Stenton.
Mr. Stenton: Mr. Chairman, we currently support 11 community libraries in Nunavut through the Culture and Heritage Division.
One of the priorities that we have identified for the coming year and have been working on this in the past as well is to increase the number of books by Inuit authors and books written about Inuit.
Our staff in Baker Lake and Iqaluit would be more than happy to take advice and direction on how we might achieve that goal, but we have funding allocated each year to build our library collections and we have certainly have identified this as a priority.
Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Stenton.
Especially since most of these librarians in our communities are not trained in anthropology and they are not trained or specialized in Nunavut literature, they need a lot of help from your department to determine what other relevant materials that even our schools may be interested in and what would be good materials that are relevant to their community for the purpose of the local people to read it and for the tourists to glance through, “Oh yes, there is such a book about the people in Pond Inlet and I wonder where I could get it.”
These kinds of information are needed, especially if we are going to be talking about taking our pride back.
We always talk about how we have a very rich history, but it is non-existent in our communities.
As we progress faster with the computer age, we should be able to access that real quick.
However, we are spending our energy not finding these things but finding other things that are on the Internet that are not necessary relevant to our communities.
So if they could be made available, even through a website of what books are available around the world relating to Nunavut and its people, it would help.
That is just a comment right now.
My other question, Mr. Chairman, is… I hope the minister knows about this one. In your 2010-13 business plan, you did not mention about archaeological field school in Hall Beach that was well received in past years. We talked about that.
Does this program still exist? Did it happen in 2009?
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): I will have Doug Stenton answer that question, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Stenton: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
The field school training program in Hall Beach did not continue in 2009.
We had a very successful three-year run at that program.
It was well received by the community and it was very successful in terms of the kinds of information that were recovered through the excavations.
In agreement with the Inuit Heritage Trust, with whom we were partnering in the delivery of this program, it was agreed that we would evaluate the results of the three years of work and adjust our plans for future training.
So this year, we will be meeting again with Inuit Heritage Trust to discuss where we are going to take the program next.
Mr. Arvaluk: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This program was an ongoing program for the same students that has taken place three years in a row or new students every year. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Stenton: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. With one or two exceptions, Mr. Chairman, I believe they were new students each year so as to provide as many opportunities for youth to become involved in the project.
Mr. Arvaluk: So if a student had taken last year’s program, he or she does not necessarily take it the following year. Is that correct?
That’s correct, Mr. Chairman, although there were, I believe, one or two students who demonstrated particular aptitude, interest, and skill in the work, so they were invited back for, I believe, a second season.
Mr. Arvaluk: Can you tell me who was taking this archaeological program exactly?
Were they Arctic College students or high school students, for example?
I apologize, Mr. Chairman, I don’t have all of the details of the participants.
They were not, to my knowledge, Arctic College students but high school students and young people from the local community as well.
I believe the Inuit Heritage Trust played a lead role in identifying and bringing the students to the project.
Mr. Arvaluk: Is it taken as part of a credit course for the high school?
Again I apologize, I’m not entirely clear on whether it was for credit or not, but I would be happy to look into that.
Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Stenton. Mr. Arvaluk.
Mr. Arvaluk: When he looks into that, can he also inform us that if it was a credit course, then what are the students doing now in the meantime to get the additional courses if the program is not running now. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Stenton: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’ll certainly commit to do that.
A recent CBC news article reported that different scientists concerned about fossils on Ellesmere Island that could affect coal mining. The results of that story… I guess I envisioned the proposal from Weststar Resources Corporation rejecting the company’s proposal.
I’m just wondering if you had an update as to whether Weststar is putting in another proposal.
Doug Stenton will respond to that question as well, Mr. Chairman.
I don’t have an update; I requested one this morning. I spoke with a number of my staff to see if there had been an update with respect to the proponent’s, in this case, Weststar Resources, next steps with regard to the NIRB recommendation.
We don’t have any new information at this time. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
If you could keep us informed when you hear more information. The reason I ask is because a lot of my constituents are really concerned in terms of the area up there and preserving it.
I know that Weststar Resources was actually talking about working with researchers and palaeontologists to sort of work in cooperation. So it would be nice to be informed about that.
My next question is in regard to the department’s draft business plan indicates that one of its priorities for 2010-11 is to “Initiate design phase for the Nunavut Heritage Centre.”
I’m just wondering if we could get an update on that status.
This will go ahead.
We have completed the project brief and there is funding made available.
There is a budget for this within this year, 2010-11.
We would like to table the design of the Nunavut Heritage Centre in Nunavut and they have been completed.
We have completed the project brief and it will go ahead, Mr. Chairman.
In terms of the building itself, is the location, the lot, and the area that the heritage centre would actually be constructed on, is that area secured and in place?
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): Mr. Chairman, we have identified the location and we have been working closely with the Department of Community and Government Services.
We have identified the building location and the lab, but there is a bit of a problem.
There is a navigational poll in the area where we wanted to build and you can’t build higher than the post that is up over there.
Therefore, we will have to discuss the matter. However, I can tell you, Mr. Chairman, that we have already identified the lot or the building location.
In recent years, there was information in the business plan about the fundraising activities and how the building was going to be sort of paid for.
I was just wondering if the minister could give us an update on how that’s going, whether the plan is still to have a comprehensive fundraising initiative.
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): Yes, we have discussed the comprehensive fundraising issue and also the design.
Once the design phase has been completed, we will bring it back to the federal government because the federal government will have to pay for part of the construction of the heritage centre.
Once the design phase is completed, we will then go ahead with construction.
We have already spoken to the federal representative of Nunavut, our MP. Also, we have spoken to the Senator for Nunavut in regard to this.
They expect to be notified once the design phase has been completed to request funding from the federal government and we will expect to see this completed.
Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, Inuit Heritage Trust, and the Nunavut government are all working together to try and come up with funds to initiate this project.
This will be initiated once we have completed all of those things that we need to complete, such as the project design and the operations and maintenance part of it. Once that has been completed, we can bring it to the federal government to look for funding for the construction part. It will need to acquire that funding from the federal government.
That’s how it is, Mr. Chairman.
We’re going a bit off course here.
We’re kind of discussing capital, we’re talking O&M here. So I would like to make sure the members try to keep to O&M, please.
Then I have no more questions because mine are leaning down the road of capital. I will stop now.
Chairman: We will go back to Branch Summary.
Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. $4,494,000.
Chairman: We will go to Culture, Language, Elders and Youth. Branch Summary. Elders and Youth.
Your department’s 2010-11 main estimates include $450,000 in contribution funding for elders and youth facilities, perhaps buildings.
Can you describe what kinds of facilities will be eligible for this funding?
Perhaps I’ll have Doug clarify this, Mr. Chairman.
The department provides funding for elders and youth facilities for such things as there may be a youth group in a community or an elders group that wishes to get some new space and there may be a building, for example, that requires some renovations.
It could be electrical, it could be plumbing, and it could be any kind of similar work that’s done.
So we provide contribution funding through our grants and contributions program to bring the buildings up so that it could be used for the purposes identified by the group.
Mr. Arvaluk (interpretation): In regard to your department’s draft business plan for 2010-11, we talked about the need to develop a strategy for collecting Inuit traditional knowledge and oral history.
How soon can this strategy be implemented? Will elders from all across Nunavut be interviewed as part of this project and when will this start?
We have put in a request for funding for this project as a lot has already been done in collecting oral histories and traditional knowledge in the communities over the years.
We will continue recording and documenting traditional knowledge and oral histories. We plan to hire young people to do these interviews with elders.
We hope to start planning in the coming fiscal year to develop work plans for the project.
Currently, we are developing plans and schedule for the recording of the interviews. We hope to have this completed this year.
Another one of our goals is to distribute information to the local libraries regarding sharing material that they might have.
This is still being dealt with at this stage and we do not have the final outcome worked out. With respect to the strategy and vision that will direct the work of recording our elders, we have not finalized it and therefore, we have not worked out the details.
With regard to our current activities we are planning for this summer, we will be going to Baker Lake, Arviat, Chesterfield Inlet, as well as other communities to discuss that. Mr. Chairman, we have actually completed those visits.
However, we have tried to consult as many communities as we can since every community is unique. We limited it to four communities at a time and we will continue with this project.
Currently, we have recorded many elders, but we would like to record many more elders and include what categories or what themes these recordings will fall under. So we need to draft up our strategy to guide these recordings as well as what the end result would be, Mr. Chairman.
Based on your detailed response, does this $1,050,000 budget item fall under this strategy we are now talking about for recording Inuit elders?
To clarify, would the funds be directly allocated to the communities and based on the number of elders to be recorded, you would then set aside a certain amount?
I’m not clear as to where the strategy falls under, so my question is: do the activities you outlined fall into this $1,050,000 fund?
Yes, it’s included in there for the collecting of Inuit traditional language and oral history, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Arvaluk (interpretation): In 2005, you tabled an Elders Strategy. You mentioned it, but you tabled an Elders Strategy.
Your department’s 2010-13 business plan states that “New Elders Strategy was completed October 2009.”
When will you table the new Elders Strategy which was completed in October 2009?
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to thank the member for asking that question.
It will go ahead because we have to look at protection for the elders.
The Elders Strategy is completed, but we will have to show it to the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Committee.
The committee probably came in today and they will start their meeting tomorrow.
During the meeting, they will be looking through the Elders Strategy and make any changes if there is a need.
At the next sitting of the Legislative Assembly, we will be tabling the Elders Strategy at that time.
Even though it’s almost complete, it would have to go through the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Committee.
We are looking at possibly releasing it at the spring or fall session.
It’s being completed and is in its final stages, but we still have to submit it for approval by the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Katimajiit.
I just have some questions about the elders’ societies or elders’ committees across Nunavut. My understanding is that every community has one. Is that correct?
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): There are some elders’ committees, but I don’t believe every Nunavut community has such an entity.
We can look to see which communities have elders’ societies or committees, Mr. Chairman.
My question is: in terms of every community having their own local elders’ society or group, is there an overarching one for all of Nunavut in terms of a chairperson or an executive council that they have to help with the organization of all these elders’ societies across Nunavut?
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): With respect to these elders’ societies and groups, it only applies to those organizations that do not have Nunavut-wide associations.
However, what I can state is that they hold monthly teleconferences to discuss issues sent to them by our department.
These consultations are administered by our department when they have to consult with the local societies or associations.
What I can tell the member is that the majority of elders’ committees have representatives who partake in these monthly teleconferences and the issues dealt with are concerns, obstacles, or barriers facing elders.
This is primarily due to the fact that we do not have a representative Nunavut-wide association for the elders’ groups in Nunavut.
Is this something that the Elders Strategy is going to look at or touch upon in terms of one of the things they’re going to look into, the idea of an overarching structure?
The reason I ask is it just seems like in terms of accessing funding, I know even with in your department, before organizations can actually receive funding, they have to be set up through Nunavut Legal Registries, then they have to have some sort of reporting body, and they also have to have some type of insurance.
I find the two groups that we are trying to support, elders and youth, that is something that is found to be difficult in terms of accessing funding because that is not done. Is the strategy looking into that part as well?
Minister Tapardjuk.  Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Every year, the Department of CLEY gives $2,000 in financial support to those entities in the communities so that they can have some money for operations and maintenance.
However, we have not made any plans in setting up a Nunavut Elders’ Society, but I believe that could be one of the questions that will be asked at the IQ Committee that is starting their meeting tomorrow.
This group is the link for the elders’ societies or committees.
The IQ Committee is a consulting group where it is open for the government to ask them questions if they need advice.
It is like an advisory group. Usually, the elders have representatives sitting on that board, but it’s not a representative board, so to speak. They are more of an advisory council than anything else, Mr. Chairman.
Again just some of the concerns that I have had from some of the elders in my communities in terms of being able to access funding and not having the proper structure.
I know, again, for the elders, it is a foreign sort of structure that they have a hard time working within. Maybe that committee that you are talking about might be a good way to handle that.
I wanted to shift to youth and my question is similar to what the elders… does every community within Nunavut have a youth committee that is linked or affiliated with your department, CLEY?
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): There are some youth committees in the communities, but I can’t tell you if every Nunavut community has a youth committee or council.
Even if that is the case, the Department of CLEY gives $2,000 for youth councils. It is a grant for youth committees.
Every month, we have teleconferences with the youth committees.
To date, we will have to find out if there’s a Baffin youth group.
We would like to hold a conference if these monies are approved for 2010. We would like to see a major conference with elders and youth participating.
So we would like to see a major conference held this year for both elders and youth, Mr. Chairman.
That is excellent and great to hear.
I just wanted to add a suggestion that QIA has youth committees. I can’t speak for the Kivalliq or the Kitikmeot, but I know that the Qikiqtani Inuit Association has a youth department and they are having a meeting this week of all of the youth groups from across the Baffin here in Iqaluit at their office.
So that might be a good contact to work together instead of having duplicate youth committees in communities and causing confusion.
I have no more names on the list here, but I would like to remind members of my right, that they must wait for me to call the total O&M before they agree.
So we will go back to Culture, Language, Elders and Youth.
Branch Summary. Elders and Youth. Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. $2,279,000.
Chairman: We will go on to Branch Summary. Culture, Language, Elders and Youth. Sport and Recreation.
On F-9. Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. $5,477,000.
Mr. Arvaluk: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation) The Nunavut Association of Municipalities recently passed a resolution concerning access to adequate funding to ensure properly supervised swimming pools or facilities with nationally certified lifeguards in every community in Nunavut.
What is your department doing to address the demand for swimming pools in communities?
Chairman: Sorry, I believe that is a capital question and we’re on O&M, but if the minister wants to answer it, he can go right ahead if he wants to.
We have monies available for swimming pools or facilities, such as for the training of lifeguards to make sure that there’s safety in the pools.
We will have money available, but we are not responsible for infrastructure or the building of facilities, Mr. Chairman.
I’ll rephrase my question so it’s not capital.
On F-9, under Sport and Recreation, I don’t know how many PYs they have here, but there is $1,383,000 for compensation and benefits.
Do we have anything there for planning projects for swimming pools in coordination with CGS?
Let me put it another way. Because more and more communities are demanding swimming pools in most of the Nunavut communities, we have to look at it because of the demand.
We’re going to have to start planning.
Are you and CGS talking together about developing and meeting the need of swimming pools in Nunavut communities?
I tried to not make it a capital question.
The Minister of Community and Government Services and I have started discussions on this.
The Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth provides support on an annual basis for the maintenance or renovation of an existing building to make into a swimming pool.
We have monies available for those types of projects, but my colleague, the Minister of Community and Government Services, and I are just starting to have discussions on the possibility of putting aside funds on an annual basis for swimming pools.
We’re having initial discussions, but we have not come up with a concrete plan yet.
In 2010-11, we would like to proceed with having monies available before we come up with any concrete plan, Mr. Chairman.
I don’t know if the last one will be a question or just a comment.
There was a concern that the whole lot of money is being spent on compensation and benefits for government operations when we’re trying to serve 25 communities.
Also, in your distribution of the O&M budget, you have $10,767,000 on compensation and benefits.
You have salaries of over $10.5 million to look after whatever you are doing in CLEY.
The Sport and Recreation is always having a hard time accessing funding.
In fact, I think my colleague from the High Arctic was talking about sometimes the eligibility is unfair depending on what part of Nunavut you come from. I think this has to be looked at.
Are we serving our people to the best of our ability in comparison to the salaries we pay to our employees to look after the meagre funding for the communities’ benefit?
It’s just a comment, but we have to be careful how much we are paying just to serve the community needs and sometimes proportionately, it doesn’t seem right, especially for the smaller communities. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I think that was just a comment, unless you want to comment to that.
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): For compensation and benefits, it has nothing to do with our department.