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I rise before you today to give my best wishes to all of my constituents in Arviat, now the second largest community in Nunavut.
I wish them all a very happy 10th anniversary. I wish all of them the best on this day and hope they enjoy the planned fun and festivities that are taking place in Arviat today.
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to recognize all of the public service that has contributed to the evolution and the wonderful territory of Nunavut to make it what it is today.
I would also like to extend my best wishes to all the communities in Nunavut on this historic day.
Mr. Speaker, I also want to recognize and honour the previous governments and their accomplishments over the last ten years. I am very proud and honoured to be elected as MLA for Arviat and now to the Executive Council. I will assure all of Nunavummiut that I will try my hardest to move ahead.
Thank you very much. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Member’s Statement 004 – 3(2): Preparing Nunavut Youth for the Challenges of Tomorrow (Aupaluktuq)
I rise today to join you in congratulating one of my constituents, Paula Piryuaq from Jonah Amitnaaq School in Baker Lake, who was one of the winners of the Nunavut at 10 essay competition.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, it is often said that the youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow.
As we reflect today on what this anniversary means to us, I want to emphasize the importance of preparing our youth for the challenges and responsibilities of the future.
Earlier today, I had the privilege of sending a message to the students at Jonah Amitnaaq School in Baker Lake to mark this occasion.
In my message to the students, I noted that education is the strongest tool and most powerful means by which our youth will succeed in the future and control their own destiny.
I encouraged all students at Jonah Amitnaaq School to finish their studies and look for opportunities to pursue further education and training.
Pride, accomplishment, and self-reliance are not qualities that will be handed to our youth – they must be earned with persistence, determination, and effort.
Mr. Speaker, as a former President of the National Inuit Youth Council, I am excited that the youth met recently to discuss the future of the organization.
I believe that it is important for youth to have the opportunity to organize and speak with a collective voice.
Mr. Speaker, today, we celebrate the accomplishments that brought us to this point in our history.
We have much work ahead of us and I look forward to being a part of this important journey.
I would also like to thank the interpreters and transcribers for your hard work, as well as the pages and the Sergeant-at-Arms. (interpretation) Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.
Member’s Statement 005 – 3(2): Quttiktuq Success Stories (Elliott)
Maybe I should start my address by asking for unanimous consent.
Mr. Speaker, I am humbled and honoured to rise today on the occasion of the opening of the Second Session of the Third Legislative Assembly and the 10th anniversary of the creation of Nunavut.
As we take this opportunity to reflect on this milestone, I would like to spend some time highlighting a number of positive initiatives and developments that are occurring in the three High Arctic communities which I represent.
I would first like to join you in congratulating one of my young constituents, Cassandra Macdonald from Qarmartalik School in Resolute Bay, who was one of the winners of the Nunavut at 10 essay competition.
Mr. Speaker, as someone who first came to Nunavut a number of years before division in 1999, I can say that I have personally witnessed positive change.
In the community of Grise Fiord, I have observed a growing sense of confidence, an increasing willingness to speak out, and an impressive sense of pride in the community.
Before the creation of Nunavut, I sensed a hesitancy to be vocal on issues of concern.
That has changed as the territory itself has grown and matured.
Mr. Speaker, I have also been very pleased to note a strengthening bond between the community and its school. Parents are becoming more involved in their children's education than ever before, attending special events, parent/teacher meetings, and graduation ceremonies.
This trend is very positive.
Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to pay a special tribute to Grise Fiord resident Larry Audlaluk, who received our nation’s highest honour when he was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2007.
Larry has been an outspoken and tireless advocate for the needs of his community and exemplifies the spirit of determination that helps to create this territory.
Mr. Speaker, Resolute Bay and Grise Fiord are just ending their first year of an exciting and unique apprenticeship training partnership at the Alert Military Base on Ellesmere, dubbed the “Alert Model.”
This past year saw seven youth from Resolute Bay and Grise Fiord working and training at the base in many disciplines. Most of them are expected to finish their first level 900 hours and head off to their first apprentice class training.
Mr. Speaker, at this time, I would like to request unanimous consent to continue with my Member’s Statement.
Mr. Elliott, go ahead.
Currently, there is a memorandum of understanding being created to include Arctic Bay in this project.
This is an exclusive arrangement between communities and the operators of the base and promises to become a major employer of residents while emphasizing apprenticeship training and education in a professional military setting.
The program has been nicknamed the “Nunavut Sivuniksavut” of the north for apprentices and is experiencing a high level of support from everyone in the communities. This year, a GED module is being added along with a pre-trades exam primer to ensure that learning and training are the highest priority.
Other companies in the north are looking very closely at the program’s progress to see if they can incorporate any of its successes in their training plans.
Mr. Speaker, in my home community of Arctic Bay, residents are proud to say that our first female Premier comes from the community.
As I have noted throughout our sitting, the three communities of Arctic Bay, Resolute Bay, and Grise Fiord are working together like never before. The recent formation of the Arctic Fishing Alliance and the High Arctic Council are two illustrations of how the communities are striving to speak with a unified voice.
Mr. Speaker, I also want to take time today to acknowledge the contributions of elders in our communities.
I am encouraged by the communities’ efforts to strengthen and revitalize their language and culture.
Mr. Speaker, I know that many of my constituents will be watching today’s proceedings, and I want to speak directly to them today and reiterate my commitment that I will listen closely to your concerns, articulate your aspirations, and work for you each and every day that I have the honour of representing you in your Legislative Assembly.
Member’s Statement 006 – 3(2): Reflections on 10 Years of Nunavut Territory (Tootoo)
Hon. Hunter Tootoo: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.
Mr. Speaker, as I rise today on our 10th anniversary, and I’m doing this today, right now, without any prepared notes and I’m not as nervous as I was ten years ago, I think back to when I first did this.
I think one of the things that I was thinking about, and everyone was in here earlier today, was that there was a lot of the pride, the hope, and the aspirations that all the Members of the First Assembly had for our territory that were there and I think those aspirations and that pride are still here and evident today in this Third Assembly, they were there in the Second Assembly.
And I wanted to acknowledge some of the members, some of my hon. colleagues that were here earlier.
My colleague Mr. Okalik mentioned, you know, in the Gallery here today, I saw Glen McLean, who was a former member in the First Assembly from Baker Lake, the “Ma’na Man,” as we use to refer to him all the time.
Donald Havioyak was here also in the Gallery today. Our former Speaker in the Second Assembly, Mr. Peter Kilabuk from Pangnirtung, was here in the Gallery. And of course, Mr. Okalik, Mr. Arvaluk, and I are still here from that first proud day.
I’m sure it was a proud day for me and it was a proud day for all of us to be involved in and a part of, and as my colleague said, I still look at it as an honour and a privilege to represent the people in my constituency. They put their faith and their trust in me. They put their faith and their trust in each and every one of us here to represent them and make decisions on their behalf and in the best interest of all Nunavummiut, which is why we’re all here.
As the elder that lit the Qulliq earlier today, Enoapik, her words, I really listened to what she had to say. She is one of my constituents and I know she wasn’t just talking to me when she was saying that, but that’s always a message that I have heard from her over the last ten years is you have to listen to the people that put you there and represent their views.
I think one of the things you look back on, and I won’t go over all of the accomplishments because there have been many over the last ten years that all Members of this Assembly contributed towards making and making happen, but I think if you look at it, in my view, like I was asked earlier today in an interview, “So what do you think on the 10th anniversary of Nunavut?”
And I said, “Wow, time flies when you’re having fun!”
And it doesn’t seem like ten years have gone by and that timeframe has gone by very quickly.
Like I said, if you look around the room, there are three current members that were there on April 1, 1999. There is also one member sitting at the table up there and that’s Mr. Clerk. Mr. John Quirke has been here since day one as well and there are not a lot of those individuals around.
But I know that everybody worked hard and did their best to try and keep the dream that we have of Nunavut alive, and I think that that’s happened. We all believe in what we have done and where we’re going.
The other thing that I looked at was: in your view, what kinds of things or what has happened since then that have been crucial? The biggest thing to remember is the fact that every single one of us that is sitting in here today is from Nunavut.
We are the ones who are making our decisions for us. It’s not someone else somewhere else making decisions affecting us for us.
We’re doing that on our own right now.
I think there have been many examples over the last ten years where we have been able to make decisions and make changes that clearly reflect the unique challenges and circumstances that we face here in Nunavut.
In my view, that’s one of the biggest benefits that we’ve had of the creation of Nunavut is that basically we are in control; Nunavut is in control of its own destiny.
One of the other things that I think have been accomplished over the last ten years has been a bit more of recognition of Nunavut, of those unique challenges and circumstances.
The fact that if you look at our present government that’s in Ottawa, over the last four years, through the work that we have done over the last ten years, they have recognized the need for additional resources for things like housing and other areas where we are getting substantially more funding allocations than were there in the past because of our unique challenges, so I think that that is important.
There is also, on a little bit of a lighter note, another recognition at the national level where the Canadian Curling Association has finally recognized us as well and I say that’s another accomplishment.
We are now able, as Nunavut, to participate at the Dominion Cup.
It was on the news that there are two teams here from Iqaluit that will be representing Nunavut at that national event.
This is again the first time ever that Nunavut has had representation at a national event.
There are two important pieces of recognition.
And I look back and reflect, I was at the musical that was held at the high school here a while back and I saw some of the actors and actresses that have been participating in those events over the years.
I watched the one where my daughter first started when she was eight years old, she’s 16, and was participating again.
There was a lot of work by all of the people. There were over 400 hours of work that have gone into putting on an event like that.
And I know one of their dreams and aspirations for the drama club and that group at the school here is to have, and I’m hoping in the next ten years that they will see their dream come true, a performing arts centre here in Nunavut in Iqaluit, not only for functions like that to happen but any other kinds of functions as well.
So there have been a lot of positive things happen. And I still believe in my heart that we are a consensus government, we are all committed to working together for the betterment of Nunavut as a whole and I continue to move forward with that always in mind.
And I’m sure, from what I have heard and seen in this Assembly, that those same thoughts and feelings are shared by all members.
Member’s Statement 007 – 3(2): Happy Birthday Nunavut and to Niece Cynthia Alaralak (Tapardjuk)
Today, we are celebrating the 10th anniversary of the creation of Nunavut.
Today, there is another birthday, Cynthia Alaralak is 16 years older than Nunavut but she is celebrating her birthday. If she is watching the proceedings, I wish her a happy birthday.
What I would like to say in the House is that if we didn’t have the Legislative Assembly, I don’t think Nunavut would have any power because Nunavut is the one that gives our Legislative Assembly power.
Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Speaker, I would also like to thank the people of Igloolik and Hall Beach.
They are also celebrating the 10th anniversary of the creation of Nunavut.
There are a lot of people that we have to be grateful for.
In 2004, when I was first elected, I had never worked for the government prior to 2004.
In 2004, I got elected and I had mixed emotions. The government used to be always on the other side and they were always my enemies. Now, I can show my support to this government and be a part of it.
I would also like to thank former Premier Okalik.
We have created a lot of things, but after my election in 2004 and then on the 10th year, my constituents again have shown their confidence and put me back as their representative in this House.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement. I’ll make it very brief, I promise.
There are no nays. You may proceed, Mr. Tapardjuk.
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): Thank you, my colleagues. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
One thing that I am going to work hard on is fulfilling the expectations of the people in my riding as to where they would like to see Nunavut go.
Some of the elders are still thinking that the government is over there and the people are over here.
I think we have to let all the people of Nunavut know that this is their government, this is our government.
If I have to make a change with the way government is run, I could do so using the representatives sitting in the Assembly.
I would like the people out there know that this government is their government.
If we are going to incorporate Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, then we have to think about the people out there that we are representing.
We are aware that a lot of government employees out there are reluctant to incorporate Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit or to see a change because it’s something they don’t know.
Even if that’s the case, representing the people of Igloolik and Hall Beach, I will do my best to incorporate Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit into government operations because I am more intimidated by them than I am by the government.
Some Hon. Members: Hear, hear!
Member’s Statement 008 – 3(2): Reflections on 10 Years of Nunavut (Curley)
Hon. Tagak Curley (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to also celebrate this 10th anniversary.
First of all, I would like to say “good afternoon” to the residents of Rankin Inlet. My colleague from Rankin Inlet and I have not forgotten the residents of Whale Cove. There are some people here from Rankin Inlet who are leaving the Gallery to go back home.
Mr. Speaker, many people, Inuit, past and present leaders, past MPs, all Nunavutmiut, and our guest MPs, girls and boys, our people are celebrating Nunavut’s 10th anniversary.
Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to be part of this celebration.
In the past, as James Arvaluk stated earlier, the idea of dividing the largest land mass in Canada came in 1975 and not many leaders at the time jumped on board.
But Inuit, after a few years of disrupting the image of friendly Eskimos who never worried about tomorrow, so they thought, now had two proposed distinct separate public governments in Canada’s last frontier.
The federal government was neither amused nor receptive of the idea of dividing the Northwest Territories.
Mr. Arvaluk will probably be asked about that.
It was a lonely crusade for a long while in convincing our people and government leaders to divide the Northwest Territories.
The dream of having an Inuit majority in public government would not die. The idea of having majority of our public services kept by Inuit would not die.
Our education system would develop and improve, our language would not be lost, and we would stop feeling ashamed of our own culture.
The dream became bigger and bigger, but some people thought we were crazy when we started saying that we have to run our own land in Nunavut.
There are no nays. You may proceed, Mr. Curley.
Hon. Tagak Curley: Mr. Speaker, the dream became bigger and bigger and simply would not die. It would have been foolish to give up on the idea of the dream for a new territory called Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, many of my friends, including myself, would never have peace nor rest even in our graves if we had failed to achieve the creation of Nunavut at that time.
So I take pride amongst leaders who have walked with us regardless of how tough it was at that particular time.
Mr. Speaker, the bandwagon was empty. Today, I can say it is fully loaded and moving forward.
And finally, Mr. Speaker, I say to our youth in Nunavut, to those that are going to school, that the ideas are important, the dreams are important.
When a young person has a dream, it’s difficult to shut that dream off.
I want to encourage many of them to never give up because there is hope for them maybe for a career, maybe a business, maybe for higher education.
So I encourage many of our school kids to stay in school and they will have a future better than us, to those of us who did not have a chance to start from K-12 and beyond.
Member’s Statement 009 – 3(2): Celebrations in Pangnirtung (Komoartok)
Mr. Komoartok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I would also like to thank my colleagues.
For myself, I would like to make a statement about Pangnirtung again because today is Hamlet Day.
They will be doing celebrations activities all day long but I’m here and I think of the people of Pangnirtung.
Before this government was created and before the creation of Nunavut, they were years before where our culture and our language was considered foreign.
We now have Nunavut for ten years and this was the dream of the people of Nunavut, it was also the rebound of the Inuit culture and language.
There are other cultures that have been forced upon us but our culture is something that we would like to protect.
We are also using foreign laws and I think it’s very important to have our culture and language put back in its proper place.
For those of us sitting here, and also some people out there, we were sent out to school to boarding homes or sent out to residential schools.
It was hard on both the students and the parents because it was what broke the family circle.
We will look forward and we thank the people who worked so hard during those past ten years.
It’s always hard when you’re starting from scratch but the first two governments have set out and made tracks for us to follow their footsteps.
Today is a new day, especially for the people in our communities who understand that we will not be speaking only in Inuktitut. We have to think of those who come here to live.
You may proceed, Mr. Komoartok.
I have a short comment.
As we had the Qulliq lighting ceremony, we heard our elder talk to us.
They are elders who grew up in outpost camps. They were not in a wage economy even when they became adults.
They worked extremely hard but since they weren’t earning wages, they don’t have something that they can draw out like from a bank and as the elder was saying, they don’t have savings because they don’t have any money to save.
Our elders don’t have any savings. It was stated earlier, their monthly pension is supposed to last them the whole month but it’s not enough.
We have placed our elders in high regard and we still do, but they were silenced even though they were our leaders.
Since European traditions came, they became silent.
They were intimidated by foreign culture being forced upon them and they lost all confidence in themselves.
We have to do something more as a government to protect our elders, provide them with assistance, and recognize them because they were the ones that took care of us.
The Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Katimajiit would like to see our language used more in the House. I thank the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Katimajiit.
If they would like to offer their support, I would like the government to welcome them.
A lot of us are new MLAs and we need to cooperate and work together so that the people of Nunavut can move forward.
Member’s Statement 010 – 3(2): Reflections on Preparing for the Creation of Nunavut (Ningark)
In 1989, when I was elected to the legislature in the Northwest Territories, I was very thrilled and in 2009, when I was elected to the Legislature in Nunavut, I was even more thrilled. I’ll explain why.
When I was elected in the Northwest Territories, there was a Nunavut Caucus and there was also a Western Caucus. There were two caucuses - the Nunavut Caucus was comprised of Members of the Legislative Assembly from here and now, Mr. Speaker, I am elected to the Legislature of Nunavut and this is an all-Nunavut Caucus. That’s the reason why I am very proud and pleased that we make decisions together.
The people who did the planning, like Mr. Arvaluk, Mr. Curley, John Amagoalik, there were a lot of people and I won’t name them all, and obviously Mr. Okalik was there as well in Yellowknife.
I thank you all for having a vision for the future. They wanted to have a public government to represent all the people of Nunavut.
This is where the strength lies, unity, oneness, and full participation is strength.
We have people of all nations in Nunavut, who have different cultures and languages, and that is part of working together and we are pulling together for Nunavut.
As was stated earlier, we, as a government, cannot do it alone.
If we try to run ourselves by ourselves, we wouldn’t learn anything about the outside world even though we could.
Education is something that is very important.
You may proceed, Mr. Ningark.
Education in Nunavut is very important.
It means, Mr. Speaker, that through the educational system, our children will participate in the job markets at the international level.
It also means that we would like to see Inuit participate in international conferences such as the ones held by the United Nations.
When my friend, Paul Okalik and the Premier go overseas, let’s participate.
Only through education and awareness can we fully participate at the international level.
I am very pleased that the first government blazed a trail for us to follow.
The Second Assembly had it a little easier and now, I am part of it and a lot of the basic foundation has been set.
I thank the people of Kugaaruk, my children, my many grandchildren and I can’t keep count of them anymore, I thank them all and the people of Repulse Bay.
And thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Member’s Statement 011 – 3(2): Best Wishes to Constituents as They Celebrate Nunavut (Peterson)
I would like to send my best wishes for a happy 10th anniversary to my constituents in Umingmaktok, Bathurst Inlet, and Cambridge Bay.