EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Notwithstanding that some of these questions may be included in the Operational Audit, the Government of Nunavut will continue to engage with Nunavut Tourism to discuss how to re-align functions and responsibilities with an aim to conclude any necessary adjustments by the end of 2016-2017.
LIST OF DOCUMENTS
2014-2015 Business Plan
14-15 business plan.pdf
2014-2015 Annual Report (English)
annual report 1415ARENG.pdf
2014-2015 Annual Report (Inuktitut)
Annual 1415ARINUKITUT.pdf
2014-2015 Financial Statements
Nunavut Tourism 2015.pdf
2012-2017 Strategic Plan
Nunavut-Tourism-Strategic-Plan-2012-2017.pdf
Board Confidentiality Agreement
BOD Confidentiality Agreement MASTER.pdf
Roles and Responsibilities for Directors (September 2003)
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES Board.doc
Board of Directors Policy Manual (October 2013)
NT Board Policy Manual-2013.pdf
Employee Handbook (January 2014)
Nunavut Tourism Employee Handbook January, 2014.pdf
Inuit Employment Plan
Nunavut Tourism Inuit Employment Plan.docx
2015-2016 Q1 & Q2 Detailed Ledger
2015-15 Q1-Q2 Core Detailed Ledger.pdf
2014-2015 Travel Detailed Ledger
2014-15 Board and Staff Travel Detailed Ledger.pdf
Response to the Standing Committee on Oversight of Government Operations and Public Accounts’ November 3, 2015 Report on the Review of the 2009-2012 and 2013-2015 Summary Reports of the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Katimajiit.
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Pursuant to Rule 91(5) of the Rules of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, I am pleased to respond on behalf of the Government of Nunavut to the Standing Committee on Oversight of Government Operations and Public Accounts’ November 3, 2015 Report on the Review of the 2009-2012 and 2013-2015 Summary Report of the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Katimajiit.
The Government commends the members of the Standing Committee for their valuable study examining the 2009-2012 and 2013-2015 Summary Reports of the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Katimajiit.
The Government has thoroughly reviewed and given careful consideration to the Standing Committee Report as a whole and to the Standing Committee’s recommendations pertaining to the work of the Government contained therein.
The Government finds that these recommendations are consistent with the work of advancing our Government’s mandate to develop and implement policies, programs and services aimed at strengthening the culture, language and heritage for all Nunavummiut.
The Government welcomes the four recommendations directed at our work.
The following sections provide information on the Government’s responses to these recommendations.
The Standing Committee recommends that the terms of reference for the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Katimajiit be revised to explicitly clarify its requirements in the following areas:
The Departments or public agencies to which its recommendations are directed; and,
The Standing Committee further recommends that the Minister of Culture and Heritage begin the practice of tabling the annual reports of the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Katimajiit on an annual basis in a timely manner.
The Terms of Reference in use at the time of the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Katimajiit appearance before the standing committee had been revised and approved on May 21, 2015.
Several changes were made to the TOR at that time to better reflect the role of the Katimajiit, as well as changes to several issues of a technical nature and to the terms of appointment.
Having acknowledged this, it is apparent since the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit appearance before the standing committee that further clarification is needed regarding the production of annual reports, the content of the annual reports and the number of members that may be appointed to the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Katimajiit.
As a preface to addressing these three issues, it is imperative that the process of reporting of the information collected at the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Katimajiit meetings toward the creation of annual reports be thoroughly communicated.
The process as it stands is as follows:
The Deputy Minister of the Department of Culture and Heritage sends a memo to all departments informing them of upcoming Katimajiit meetings.
This memo includes an invitation for departments to request time on the agenda to review the development and delivery of any projects, programs, and/or policies to seek advice about their Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit approach.
During the meeting with the Katimajiit, departments on the agenda present their project, policy or service for review by the Katimajiit of their IQ approach.
The Katimajiit’s advice is given immediately.
As per the TOR, the Director of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit provides “logistical and records management support to the Katimajiit”.
The meeting is facilitated by the Director of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, and is recorded, and notes are taken by both the presenting group and a staff member of the IQ Division.
In the weeks following the meeting, the recording is transcribed and compiled into a summary report.
Within 30 days following the meeting, the departments on the agenda are requested to submit to the Director of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit a summary report with their analysis of the meeting and the recommendations they received from the Katimajiit.
Within 45 days of the IQ Katimajiit meeting, the IQ Division provides a summary report of the entire 3-day meeting to all participants, as well as to the Deputy Minister of the Department of Culture and Heritage.
In response to the report by the standing committee, the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Division has created one more point of contact between the Division and the Departments who sought advice with the IQ Katimajiit.
A further follow up will be initiated within 60 days with these departments, and within 120 days a report on the status of the implementation of the recommendations will be required by departments.
Production of annual reports
An annual report of the information gained from these meetings is compiled at the end of every fiscal year.
This report compiles the three summary reports from the IQ Katimajiit meetings into one omnibus report to be submitted to the Minister of the Department of Culture and Heritage for distribution to Departments.
It is important to highlight that until now the summary reports have been considered “informational items” to Cabinet, and were distributed as such.
The content of the annual report is a summary of the information collected at the three meetings of the Katimajiit from the previous year, as well as a list of their recommendations and advice.
With regards to making explicitly clear “the departments or public agencies to which its recommendations are directed”, it should be noted that when a department meets with the Katimajiit for advice, that advice is given immediately.
The details of the meeting are recorded by both the department seeking advice and the Department of Culture and Heritage.
The notes from these meetings are compiled to form the annual reports.
However, in response to the standing committee’s request, the annual reports will be organized as such that the recommendations and advice given by the Katimajiit will be clearly distinguished along with the Department to which it is being given.
The formal responses given by Departments 30 days and 120 days after meeting with the Katimajiit will be included in these reports and clearly identified.
In regard to the standing committee request that “annual reports provide explicitly clear information about the priorities, goals and objectives of the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Katimajiit”, it should be noted that as per the TOR, the Katimajiit is to “provide advice and assistance with Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit to the Government of Nunavut”, and are an “advisory resource for all departments to consult on their Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit initiatives”.
The Katimajiit has been operating in the spirit of this directive in their interactions with GN departments; departments are notified that there will be a meeting, and it is up to them to utilize this resource.
In short, the Katimajiit does not create priorities, goals and objectives in this manner.
Recommendation #1 by the standing committee concludes with reference to the tabling of reports.
The IQ Katimajiit annual reports have been presented as “informational items” to Cabinet.
Future reports will be tabled on an annual basis with the Legislative Assembly.
Number of members in the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Katimajiit
As pointed out in the response from the standing committee the current Katimajiit has more than nine members, which contradicts the current Terms of Reference that states that a “minimum of six and a maximum of nine members” will make up the committee.
A 10th member was added to this sitting because it was noted that there was no one on the committee who spoke Inuinnaqtun.
In response to this discrepancy, the Department of Culture and Heritage is pleased to report that it has revised the TOR to state that a “maximum of 10 members” will be appointed to the Katimajiit to represent Nunavut “geographically and linguistically”.
The revised TOR are attached to this Response.
In response to the remainder of this recommendation, the Department of Culture and Heritage will revise the annual reports to make explicitly clear:
“The total number of meetings held each year”: This information will be given along with the date of each meeting.
The standing committee further recommends that the Government of Nunavut begin the practice of providing formal responses to the recommendations of the Inuit Katimajiit on an annual basis.
In response to this recommendation, the Department of Culture prepared a tracking document with the IQ Katimajiit’s thirty-four recommendations.
This document was distributed to departments for their responses and comments.
Policies and procedures by which it will ensure that its laws, policies programs and services reflect Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit;
Oversight measure that it will implement to ensure that its Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit legislation and policies are adhered to an implemented and that is programs and services are delivered through an Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit approach.
As a preface to the response to this recommendation, it should be noted that the “Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Strategy”, as it is referred in this recommendation, is now being presented as a “Framework”.
Facilitated by the Department of Culture and Heritage, the Government of Nunavut aims to present a draft of the GN-wide Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Framework at the end of March, 2016, a projection date that is reflected in the Business Plan for the department.
This draft will largely reflect the work of the interdepartmental IQ Framework Committee, and will include the specific tools for monitoring and implementing Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit in the Government of Nunavut.
This Framework will be set for tabling in the fall session 2016, after which time it will be made public and distributed to all GN departments.
In response to the final recommendation in this section asking that the IQ Framework include “oversight measures that it will implement to ensure that its Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit legislation and policies are adhered to and implemented and that its programs and services are delivered through an Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit approach” it should be noted that there is no Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit legislation in place currently.
This Framework will be the policy to guide departments in the creation of their programs and service delivery.
The standing committee recommends that the Government of Nunavut revise the terms of reference of the Tuttarviit Committee to:
Clarify the circumstances under with the Tuttarviit Committee must follow-up on the recommendations of the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Katimajiit; and
Through the Deputy Minister of Culture and Heritage, the Government of Nunavut ensures that departments are urged to appoint a representative to the Tuttarviit Committee.
Government of Nunavut departments and agencies are not accountable to Culture and Heritage, and this action remains a request.
At the time of the IQ Katimajiit appearance before the standing committee, 11 departments had active members in Tuttarviit.
In response to this recommendation, a further request was sent to departments urging them to appoint a member to the Tuttarviit Committee.
In addition, the Government of Nunavut is pleased to report that it has amended the Terms of Reference for the Tuttarviit committee to more clearly communicate the ways by which Tuttarviit and the IQ Katimajiit interact.
The amended TOR are attached to this Response.
I would like to thank the Standing Committee for their time in dedicating to review the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Katimajiit.
Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Katimajiit Recommendations
The Katimajiit recommend that the RCMP have more right to investigate when given a tip about people who may be bringing drugs and/or alcohol into the community.
JUS (RCMP)
The Department of Justice is finalizing consultations on Civil Forfeiture Legislation.
This legislation will provide new tools to follow up on tips of drug dealing and bootlegging and greater ability to seize the proceeds of these unlawful activities.
The Katimajiit want to see more cooperation between RCMP, Family Services and Elders when there is a family dispute.
JUS (RCMP, FS)
The RCMP has greatly increased efforts to ensure new officers are given cultural orientation.
The orientation plan was developed with the feedback of Elders and Inuit officers.
The RCMP hosts an annual elders gathering to open a dialogue with the Elders and learn from them.
The RCMP does work with Social workers on a regular basis.
However, the Department of Justice will commit to facilitate more dialogue and cooperation between Family Services and the RCMP.
The Katimajiit would like to see Inuusiliriniq (Inuit-way of counselling) done by Elders being utilized in assistance with the RCMP, and in consultations with Family Services.
JUS (CH)
Most communities in Nunavut have interagency working groups which include the RCMP and Community stakeholders.
The Department will encourage the RCMP and Family Services, through these working groups, to collaborate, make greater linkages to community Elders, and employ elder counselling.
The Katimajiit recommend that lawyers be easily accessed by phone to those awaiting trial.
The Legal Services Board of Nunavut offers a law line for individuals needing legal support available 24 hours a day seven days a week.
For unilingual Inuktitut speakers, Court workers are available to provide translations.
The Law Society of Nunavut also offers a lawyer referral line available in English and Inuktitut.
The Katimajiit recommend that Inuit Customary Laws be taught to all those working for or connected to the Department of Justice.
The Department of Justice recently hired an IQ Advisor as well as an Elder Advisor.
With these new hires, the Department intends to proceed with a review of our orientation material.
The material will be revised to ensure proper cultural, Inuit Customary Law, and, Inuit societal values components are included.
The Katimajiit would like to see a protocol in the justice system for those with lesser offenses to meet with an Elder to go through Inuit-way of counselling.
Community Justice Committees are in place to provide diversion and counseling.
As well, Elder counselling is available in Nunavut’s correctional facilities.
The Department will work with Crown, Defence, and the Court to ensure the availability of Elder counselling is understood and being made available to accused and offenders.
The Katimajiit urges the Department of Education to include in the curriculum teaching about the dangers of drugs and alcohol.
The Department of Education (the department) already includes curriculum with respect to drugs and alcohol.
Aulajaaqtut is a strand of curriculum that incorporates health, wellness, safety and leadership.
This curriculum is taught through an integrated approach at early grades and becomes more subject-specific in middle, junior and senior years.
In the primary grades, the topic of safety and healthy lifestyles incorporates the importance of knowing and recognizing the hazard signs with respect to packaging for prescription drugs, spray cans and cleaning products, as well as the importance of not putting any substances in our body that could cause harm.
In junior high school—grades 7, 8 and 9—the dangers of substances such as alcohol and drugs are covered at length.
The specifics of drug identification and the consequences of drug or alcohol use, both physical and emotional, are explored.
Grades 10-12 level Aulajaaqtut requires a practicum experience at each grade level, where students identify an issue or concern in their community, discuss possible solutions, plan a project and execute the project to address the issue
The Katimajiit would like to see Inuktitut-only, on-the-land mentoring programs for parentless children and youth.
The Department of Education does not provide separate programming for parentless children and youth.
Our schools provide opportunities for cultural activities to occur during classes and during assembly time and District Education Authorities can play a role in developing education programming that meets community needs and interests.
The department provides funding to each District Education Authority to provide programming that supports Inuit language culture and values.
The members of each District Education Authority have the local knowledge and the expertise to develop programming that meets the needs of all the students in their community and this can include on the land programs.
On the Land Programs are cross curricular programs in Nunavut and provide a truly unique learning environment.
Cross curricular programs are those that teach knowledge, skills and attitudes from several subject or academic studies.
Most, if not all, on the land programs include Elders either in the school, as Ilniarvimmi Inuusilirijiit who are hired by the District Education Authorities, or in the community as expert instructors.
First, instruction is done in the Inuit language and gives students the opportunity to listen, understand and speak the Inuit language.
Secondly, Elder instructors provide expert instruction in skills and knowledge in a way that supports IQ. Because Nunavut is an inclusive learning environment rooted in IQ principles, every attempt is made to include all youth in these experiences.
The Katimajiit would like to see the education system reflect Inuit values.
Inuit Qaujimajatugangit (IQ) and Inuit Societal Values are at the heart of the Education Act (the Act), and are included as foundational principals in Part 1 of the Act.
References to IQ are included elsewhere in the Act, as guiding principles for a variety of actions and decisions that are required of the department, school staff or DEAs/CSFN as the case may be.
Unfortunately, the inclusion of IQ in many of these provisions has created a significant confusion with respect to interpretation and implementation, as there is too much variation in delivery caused by the very personal nature of interpreting the impact of IQ on a particular action or decision.
This has created a lack of consistency across the education system and an inability to properly implement the provisions of the Act, something that has been noted by the department, the Auditor General of Canada and the Special Committee to Review the Education Act (Special Committee).
The Katimajiit likely have taken note of the recommendation in the 2015 report from the Special Committee to remove IQ entirely from the legislation, because of the challenges of incorporating IQ into legislative frameworks.
The department only agrees with this recommendation in part, and is of the opinion that IQ and Inuit Societal Values should remain as the foundational principles for the Act, but that references to IQ be removed elsewhere in the Act to address problems of interpretation and implementation.
Amendments to the Act will be made based on the principles of IQ and Inuit Societal Values.
As part of the development of amendments, the department will consult with the GN Elders Committee, NTI, the Coalition of Nunavut District Education Authorities, and individual District Education Authorities across the territory, as well as Inuit through public consultation.
Although the curriculum in Nunavut is already significantly guided by Inuit perspectives, the department is committed to taking further steps to ensure that IQ is incorporated into all relevant curricular outcomes.
The department expects educators to develop an understanding of IQ, and how it is incorporated into the basic elements of curriculum, as well as how these core elements of curriculum influence learning and teaching.
The Department expects educators to deliver instruction that reflects IQ and achieves the purposes of education in Nunavut as described in the foundation document Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit—Education Framework for Nunavut Curriculum.
As described further in the foundation document, using IQ as the foundation for curriculum means that the basic elements of curriculum:
Follow a learning continuum
Incorporate four integrated strands
Introduce and teach cross-curricular competencies based on the eight Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit principles
Include and build upon Inuit philosophies of: Inclusion, Languages of Instruction, Dynamic Assessment and Critical Pedagogy
Finally, the department has prioritised putting greater control of the development of local, community based, student-driven programming in the hands of DEAs.
This programming will provide the opportunity for students in a DEA’s jurisdiction to learn IQ and Inuit Societal values, Inuit language, Inuit culture and Inuit traditions.
This local programming will augment a standardized education program and curriculum, ensuring local interests, needs and traditions are incorporated into student learning.
The Katimajiit would like to see the incorporation of ukiuqtaqtumi maligaq/piqujaq in education.
The Katimajiit want to see education be bilingual.
The Katimajiit would like to see the Education Act updates to reflect Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.
The department is committed to bilingual education and to the strengthening and enhancement of Inuit Languages in Nunavut.
Any amendments to the Education Act will be made with the sustainable delivery of bilingual education as a priority.
Currently, bilingual education is delivered through three models, with the particular model being chosen by DEAs based on their individual community needs and interests.
However, the delivery of bilingual education in Nunavut is significantly hampered by a serious shortage of qualified educators who are able to teach in the Inuit languages.
This shortage has been aggravated by the inconsistency created by having three different delivery models and a non-standardized school program in each jurisdiction, per the current legislation.
The department agrees with the recommendation of the Special Committee to Review the Education Act in their November 2015 report that bilingual education should no longer be delivered through three models, but rather through one standardized framework.
This standardization would allow for improvements in how bilingual education is delivered, more effective assessment of student progress and the improved ability of the department to ensure that educator training programs certify Inuit language-speaking instructors to teach in subjects that have been prioritised to be delivered in the Inuit languages.
Bilingual education can also be improved through changes to the delivery of early childhood education in Nunavut, as well as the improvement and increase of local, community-based, student-driven programming by DEAs.
The department is committed to both of these projects.
The Katimajiit recommend that the Piqqusilirivvik curriculum include Inuit knowledge about discipline, childrearing, Inuit Inuusiliriniq and Inuit Mamisarnilirniq.
EDU (NAC)
These are integrated into the courses currently being offered at Piqqusilirivvik
Mr. Thomas Kublu has done a book that is currently being used by Piqqusilirivvik which covers all of these subject areas.
The Katimajiit recommend that when a child is apprehended by social services that grandparents’ be considered first as their placement home.
No action required