EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Last night, I danced at a Square Dance, and it was a lot of fun. I also beat Mr. Speaker, when we played the traditional game.
And I would like to say thank you very much to the elders of Baker Lake for welcoming us here, as well as the young people. I would also like to thank the Member from Baker Lake for the use his vehicle last night, and I thank him for that.
Member’s Statement 583 – 1(6): Resolute Bay Meeting in September
I rise today to give my appreciation to the Members. The Members had agreed that they would go to Resolute Bay in September.
The people of Resolute Bay are expecting us, and I would like to welcome all the members.
Perhaps they will see things that they have not seen before in Resolute Bay in September. I am not sure what the weather is going to be like, but I would like to extend my welcome to the Members of the Legislative Assembly to Resolute Bay.
Member’s Statement 584 – 1(6): Thank the People of Baker Lake
Mr. Speaker, I too wish to, on this last day in Baker Lake, thank all the people, the elders, the youth, everybody, for their warmth and hospitality in greeting us right from the minute we got off the plane, and of course, to our colleague, Mr. McLean, for being a gracious host and looking after all of our needs over the course of the week, and running us ragged with all the events that took place while we were here.
Member’s Statement 585 – 1(6): Congratulate the Graduates
I would also like to thank the people of Baker Lake for the warm welcome that we received while we were here.
I would like to congratulate the recent Management Studies graduates in Rankin Inlet just this past school year; Tracy Uqatsiaq, Puuvala Tuutannuaq, Tracy Aqatsiaq, from Pond Inlet, Puuvala Tuutannuaq from Rankin Inlet.
The ones that received a certificate; Mariah Aliyaq and Melia Angalak. Rankin Inlet. Lindsay Angutialuk, Coral Harbour, Ron Bailey from Rankin Inlet.
Charlotte Hickes, from Rankin Inlet. Sheldon Katlak, from Baker Lake.
Angie Kubluittuq, from Rankin Inlet. Karen McLardy, from Rankin Inlet. Stacy Paneok, from Coral Harbour, and Sarah Tapartie.
Charlotte Hickes and Karen McLardy received recognition for outstanding achievement from the Arctic College of Rankin Inlet for Management Studies.
I would like to congratulate those individuals. We know that they will have a future in the Nunavut Government.
Member’s Statement 586 – 1(6): Seven New Co-op Members Elected
Mr. Speaker, like some of my colleagues have already mentioned that it is no secret, as my colleague from Baker Lake would say that this is our last day sitting here is Baker Lake and I would like to take this opportunity before I get into my Statement to thank the Member for doing a great job hosting us here in Baker Lake, as well as the people of Baker Lake and a special thanks to my uncle Jack, who is sitting back here for making sure that we had some fish to take home. So I would like to thank him for taking the time off his work and taking us out.
Mr. Speaker, today I would like to share some good news with the Members of this House. On May 22nd, 2003 seven good people were elected to the Iqaluit Co-op Board of Directors.
They are Mary Ellen Thomas, Elisapee Sheutiapik, Rebecca Mike, Moses Kilabuk, Mike Irniq, Nash Sagiatook, and Cam McGregor.
Mr. Speaker, this brings Iqaluit a step closer of opening a new Co-op Store. As Members know that Arctic Co-operatives share a vision of people working together to improve the social and economic well-being.
Mr. Speaker, Iqalummiut have been working and planning for a Co-op for years and there are already around three hundred members. Mr. Speaker, I believe that a Co-op Store is an important step on the road to development.
Competition between retailers can only benefit the consumers in Iqaluit with providing more choice, and lower prices.
Mr. Speaker, I look forward to being present when the new Co-op opens its doors, and I would like to invite Members to join me in congratulating the new Board of Directors and wishing lick in their endeavours.
Member’s Statement 587 – 1(6): Appreciate the Support of Construction in Nanulik Riding
Mr. Arvaluk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I too would like to this opportunity to thank the people from Baker Lake, I am glad to see them again, especially Mr. McLean and Joe Neigo, the Mayor of Baker Lake. I thank them very much for their warm welcome.
We have been kept busy since our arrival. We have been going to the feasts and other activities.
I would like to make my Statement today and I am very happy that St. Theresa in Chesterfield Inlet will be constructed this summer.
The garage and the terminal in Coral Harbour will be constructed and I would like to thank the Government for that.
I also would like to make everyone aware that, especially the Government, that the Coral Harbour residents, through their own initiative, have been working to develop the Commercial Caribou Harvest, such as the caribou skins and the antlers, and we would like to get assistance and support from the Government, when they are making plans to market the skins and the antlers.
The community of Coral Harbour will require assistance whether by way of planning or by way of finances. I would like the Government to be open to this. I also would like the Government to expect that the Coral Harbour Company will be running to continue this.
Member’s Statement 588 – 1(6): Kugaaruk Celebrations
I rise today to say goodbye to the Baker Lake residents and also would like to thank them for their warm welcome and the country food here is delicious and I thank the people for feeding us.
Mr. Speaker, last winter in Kugaaruk there was an celebration such as dancing and drum dancing and we celebrate that and we do want to see more activities such as this one.
The residents of Kuugarjuk arrived visitors from Tikiraarjuaq, Kangirliniq, Naujaaq, Qamanittuaq, Iqaluttuutsiaq, Uqsuqtuuq, Taloyoak, those are the communities where people came from to celebrate with the Elders and to celebrate the traditions and values of the Inuit.
We were very happy to see that and I am sure that there is going to be another drum dancing celebration next year and they selected one of the other communities and we were very pleased to see our Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit being visible.
Member’s Statement 589 – 1(6): Thank the People of Baker Lake - Nunavut Quest, Travelling by Dog Team
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank everyone from Baker Lake.
They have made us feel very welcome and Mr. McLean, the Member for Baker Lake has been of tremendous help us and helping us very much during our stay here.
The rest of the Members here have been supportive of Nunavut and I am very proud of that.
I know that the Nunavummiut are proud of us and we are proud of them, that way we can cooperatively work with each other.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to make a comment on the issue, Isa Piungatuk, who attended the Nunavut Quest, started running his dogs from Igloolik, went to Arctic Bay and from Arctic Bay, went to Pond Inlet by dog team and from Pond Inlet went to Clyde River by dog team.
That is how we used to travel and that is how the RCMP people used to travel. And today, the young person had gone through the same route we used long time ago by using traditional means of travel.
I will be making Members’ Statement on this issue.
There is another Elder from Pond Inlet who travelled by dog team with an RCMP officer from Igloolik and Arctic Bay and went to Pond Inlet or rather through Arctic Bay, Igloolik and Hall Beach and returned to Pond Inlet.
So, I will be making a statement on this issue next fall.
Member’s Statement 590 – 1(6): Thank Everyone for a Smooth Sitting in Baker Lake
Mr. Speaker, I would like to start my statement by thanking our Colleague, Mr. McLean, for being a great host that he is and also, the Members of the Legislative Assembly and the staff here with us.
I would also like to take this time to say a big hello and also thank the hard work of our interpreters and also translators. And also, the backroom workers at Innirvik.
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker, my sister works at the Innirvik office and also my namesake and I want to thank them and also the rest of the people in Innirvik.
As well as the people of Baker Lake, thank you.
The reception here was very warm ever since we got off the plane, my Colleague said, “Since we got off the plane, the reception has not changed since, we have felt welcome”.
I would especially like to thank my wife Rosie, and my children, my daughter Lynn, Jenna, and Joseph, for being supportive and for being patient.
It is evident that with the support of our spouses, we can achieve our goal a lot faster.
Member’s Statement 591 – 1(6): First RCMP Detachment in Whale Cove
Hon. Manitok Thompson (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank the people of Baker Lake for their warm reception. I caught a fish.
I was not about to leave the community without catching a fish.
Mr. Speaker, I say hello to my husband Tom, and also my son Buddy, and my little dog, Tango. And my son in Coral Harbour, Kusagaat, and all of his friends.
And say hello to all of them and also to my mother and my father and some of my relatives in Rankin Inlet and Whale Cove.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to make a Statement on my constituency development, especially in the community of Whale Cove, they will now have the RCMP in that community. The RCMP Office will be moving to that community.
I want to thank the Premier for working on this.
It is the first time that they will have an RCMP Detachment in that community. They have been waiting very patiently for that.
And also, Mr. Speaker, although the daycare had been constructed, and because the Daycare Committee has not been formed, it has taken a while to open a daycare. It will open sometime in the future in Whale Cove and that daycare is very beautiful.
Mr. Speaker, there is hardly any space in the Whale Cove School.
There isn’t even any room for adult education.
The extension of the School will have a gymnasium, and will also have a Community Hall. The design has been completed and will be constructed.
On behalf of the people of Whale Cove, I would like to say that we are happy about this.
Mr. Speaker, in Rankin Inlet the Hospital will be constructed, and as the Government said that they would take on the construction of the Hospital and we are very pleased about it.
Mr. Speaker, we are now planning to move from Iqaluit to Rankin Inlet.
I just want my constituents to be informed about it.
I am just going to continue working.
As a mother, Mr. Speaker, it is better for me to live in Rankin Inlet, and I have relatives there.
I will continue to work as I do here, and my parents are pretty old so, Mr. Speaker, it is very hard to travel from Iqaluit to Rankin Inlet. The route and the scheduling of the flight is not as good.
I will be living in Rankin Inlet even though I hold a ministerial portfolio for the Government.
Member’s Statement 592 – 1(6): Thank and Appreciate the People of Baker Lake
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I say hello to my grandchild.
I do not believe that people are watching the proceedings on television because usually camping in the spring.
For those people who are watching, I say hello to them.
I think that I have gained weight in Baker Lake while my stay here. I think I have gained weight a bit. If I weighed myself I am sure that I have gained weight, because the reception has been very good.
. I would like to thank Mr. McLean for being a gracious host very much.
I just want to take this opportunity to thank the people of Baker Lake.
Member’s Statement 593 – 1(6): Thank the People of Baker Lake
Hon. Peter Kattuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would also like to thank to the people of Baker Lake and my son in Kuujuaraapik, I love you and my father and my family, I say hi to them.
I would like tell the people of Baker Lake that Haumitnaao is okay, she is originally from here living in Sanikiluaq and she feels welcome in my community and his family is okay.
The Ministers will be traveling to Sanikiluaq and I extend my welcome to them. There were graduates from the teacher education program and Minister Thompson was able to attend the convocation and I thank her.
Member’s Statement 594 – 1(6): Successes of Government of Nunavut Services and Projects
Mr. Speaker, before I begin, I guess I would just like to thank the good people of Baker Lake, also Mr. McLean, for demonstrating and showing so much hospitality over the last few days.
And I would like to thank Mr. David Simailak, who is on our Nunavut Power Corporation Board of Directors, who I had a chance to meet with over the last few days and took me on a tour of the Elders’ Hospice.
As well as the Mayor, Mr. Niego and the good people of Baker Lake and I think also the audio/visual and the technical crew, George and Philip and the boys, who have done an excellent job and the little fire we had yesterday afternoon provided a little bit of excitement here in the gym. It was nice to see the translators and the interpreters.
Mr. Speaker, over the past few days we have had a chance, here in Baker Lake, to see and meet with many residents.
We have had also, an opportunity to see some of the successes, Mr. Speaker, some of the successes since April 1st, 1999.
Mr. Speaker, not only has Baker Lake saw infrastructure grow, but the people have taken on a greater role. In example of this, is what I just spoke about, the Elders’ Hospice where there are five elderly residents taken care of 24-hours, 7-days a week, 365 days a year and there are over twenty two local employees.
Mr. Speaker, running that centre is not the Government, running that centre are a committee, Mr. Simailak I believe is the Chairperson of the Committee are people from Baker Lake.
Mr. Speaker, earlier, Mr. Arvaluk stated that Chesterfield will be receiving a long-term care facility, which will replace St.Theressa’s home. Mr. Speaker, that project, too, will see a local group operate and run the facility for the residents of Chesterfield by the residents of Chesterfield Inlet.
Mr. Speaker, the Elders’ Committee in Iqaluit operate and run the Elders’ Home, the Boarding Home and now Mr. Speaker, the new Akausissarvik Mental Health Home. Mr. Speaker, those are successes since April 1st, 1999 for all residents.
Mr. Speaker, there had been setbacks with the Government of Nunavut since April 1st, 1999, but there have also been successes.
Communities, people, have taken on more control over program services and opportunities and Mr. Speaker, that was and is the promise of Nunavut and here in this week in Baker Lake, I think we saw that dream unfolded.
Just to remind the Members that or Ministers that there is a difference between a Members’ Statement and a Ministers’ Statement and Mr. Picco I think you were straddling the line there.
Members’ Statements. Members’ Statements. Are there any further Members’ Statements?
Last but not least, Mr. McLean.
Member’s Statement 595 – 1(6): Thank the Community, the School and Individuals of Baker Lake for Hospitality
Mr. McLean: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is a little sad today as I do my last Member Statement in my home community because I think that it is going to be a few years before we go back. I am eagerly waiting to go to Resolute Bay to visit my colleague’s constituency and meet the people there.
Mr. Speaker, first of all I would like to thank the community for their hospitality, the school staff, and the children for giving up their gym time so that we could host this event.
I would like to especially thank Winnie Owingayak, who pretty well did everything for me.
I would like to thank Winnie for being tireless in her organization of things and she called me and she says if there is anything more we can do? Anything more we can do?
I think by the activities this week, I think that we had a full agenda of social activities, so I would really like to thank Winnie.
I would also like to thank David Simailik last night, for organizing the Canadian North function; I did not attend because I was helping other MLAs around town showing them stuff. I apologize to my community for not showing up. If I had shown up I would have won the tickets, and David Aksawnee would have been mad at me, so that is why I did not go to the function last night.
Most of all, I want to thank the Clerk and all of his staff, because I was here when they came in to set this place up and the organizing. I did not realize the tremendous amount of work and the logistics in setting something like this up. It is just incredible so I want to thank the Clerk and all of his staff for their hard work.
The other thing is the media as usual said, ‘Glenn is it a waste of money coming out of Iqaluit?’
And I says, ‘Well, on whose perception?’ I can say that the Canadian Government is a waste of money. I can say this is a waste of money, that is a waste of money, but at the end of the day I think us as MLAs, have made the right decision by the people who elected us by moving this Assembly to various communities in Nunavut.
I encourage the next Assembly to move it to other communities also because the happiness, and our young people yesterday, that really hit a note with me, was the school kids yesterday, and I will be the first one to admit, some of those questions that they asked were better than ours.
Seeing those young people doing their Assembly here to other day, that was probably the highlight of my week, was watching these young people participate in the legislative process.
I would encourage future generations, whether the media thinks that it is a waste of money or not, to move this Assembly as the Members elected by the people of Nunavut, see fit.
I would also like to agree with Mr. Picco, on the infrastructure around Baker Lake, but my travels around Nunavut, I have seen infrastructure in every community.
People are starting to take control of their own destiny in Nunavut, and I have seen here in this community, along with the Hospice, David Simailik chairs. It is Inuit taking care of Inuit, Inuit making decisions for Inuit.
I will be the first one to say, as a southerner and that is what I am called. I have lived here for thirty-two years in the north, and I am still a southerner.
I have seen the development as a businessman, as a politician, as a parent, whatever, that Nunavut in the last five or six years, contrary to what the people out there say, is a better place than it was five or six years ago, in my humble little opinion.
So keep up the good work Members and make everybody accountable. What I am saying today is yes Mr. Picco, I do agree with you occasionally. But I would also like to thank all of my colleagues because we know that in Standing Committees, behind closed doors, when Capital Projects come up, we might not all agree with it, but at the end of the day the consensus that is said we are doing it for Nunavut.
I would like to say that we have our differences about who is getting something but at the end of the day we all agree that it is for the community, it is for Nunavut.
I would like to thank Cabinet, sometimes I am brutal on them, but at the end of the day, if you have a good argument, they would listen. I do not think that we get that in other jurisdictions in Canada.
I would like to say that I am very proud of my colleagues for bringing this Assembly here. I have been very proud of their support on everything in infrastructure, jobs, and just listening within the confines of the money that we have.
I would like to say thank you to all the Members of the Assembly for helping me over the last four years.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize some relatives that I have in the Gallery.
First off, as I had mentioned earlier I’d like to recognize my uncle Jack who is sitting back here and I would like to thank him for taking us fishing and that.
And I would like to give him this sweatshirt that we got from Sport Nunavut and the Department of Community Government and Transportation to thank him for the all time he did to make us feel welcome and taking us fishing for some us anyway.
And some of us did not have that much luck catching fish, but it was a great time and we all really appreciated it very much.
And I would also like to recognize Frank Tootoo, the director for Sport Nunavut and my uncle and his partner Becky Iyago, back there is the principal here at the school and to thank them for couple meals that I had over at their place and letting me use their snowmobile to go fishing.
So, again, I would like to ask all Members to join me and recognize them and thanking them for making us feel at home here in Baker Lake.
Hon. Peter Kilabuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. At this point, I would also like to recognize first of all, David Simailak, I thank him.
While we were here, he gave us warm welcome and his parents and Team Tootoo, it is to show our support to Jordin Tootoo, I said Jordin Tootoo.
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to recognize and thank my fellow Colleagues and on behalf of all of us, I would like to thank the Director of Sport Nunavut, Frank Tootoo.
I would like to recognize one of our interpreters, John Ajaruaq, he is my Constituency assistant in Qikiqtarjuaq and the Nunavut Government has stolen him for the time being, I would like to thank him for helping us out this week, he is from Qikiqtarjuaq and he is my Constituency Assistant.
I apologize to the residents of Qikiqtarjuaq as the ice conditions are not adequate, it is a very different situation this year with the ice than last year and I am sure it is because of the climate change.
For the last couple of years, the icebergs that go through there have been breaking up because the ice breaks up so much earlier and so, perhaps they will be around again in the next season.
So, I would like to recognize the people of Nunavut and in my Constituency.
David Simailak, as well, I have known him for many years and I did not recognize him, but I would like to thank him and the Director of Sport Nunavut, I recognize him, for their hard work this week.
I would also like to recognize David Simailak. I think in 1985, we started in Guy Alaruk and Joanna Qingujaq and family.
So, I am glad that they have their own company, Piruqsaijiit Corporation.
We went to school in Churchill together and David has done a lot work and his parents are always very nice. So, I wanted to recognize David, my good friend.
As well, David Simailak and Winnie, whom I went to school with.
Ever since we were in Churchill vocational centre, David is still very humble and quiet and he always seems to be thinking up stuff.
There is a commercial that my kids watch that reminds me of him ever since we were in Churchill going to school. The strong silent type, that little child eating French fries, that is who reminds me of him.
(interpretation ends) I’d also like to recognise an old friend, Emily Qaumak. We started together with the CHFC in Churchill.
Old gang and with Emily, Peter Mansbridge, Marcel and Ron, we call him Ziggy, so I would like to recognize Emily and that he is still with the CBC and has done very well.
I do not really know who I should be recognizing, but I recognize the residents of Baker Lake, especially Leena Taapatai, I would like to recognize her.
Her husband is also known as Super Shamoo and he is a very popular children’s programming and he became more of a star in Nunavut and so, Leena Taapatai, probably known as Leena Super Shamoo. I am sure the kids would like that.
I would also like to thank David Simailak for the hard work and as well, the Government of the Northwest Territories, there was a regional council that met in Cambridge Bay, I was appointed to represent the Kitikmeot Region on that council, on the Legal Services Board, whom I work with, Nora Sanders, who is on the Board with me at that time and I have known her for many years. I would also like to recognize Nora Sanders and thank you for welcoming us, myself and my wife, when we go to Yellowknife, she takes care of my wife as if they were sisters and so, thank you, very much, Nora Sanders.