EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
The on-the-land program will be held in Igloolik March 2017 to support the teaching and learning of cultural and traditional way of life on the land.
The land program was offered in spring and summer for Pond Inlet and Naujaat.
Culture and Heritage plans to make this an ongoing initiative because the elders have expressed that this is the best way that would help youth to understand areas of concern, campgrounds, and specific animal hunting grounds.
Another important initiative is collecting oral history. Work related to the Oral History Collection program was undertaken in all 25 communities between 2003 and 2011.The Oral History Collection program is now focused on compiling information on fish and foxes that will be integrated with the programs that will be held for the year 2017.
In closing, our elders have shown us a path to follow for generations and they continue to support and help us today.
Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and the House join with me in thanking our elders for their advice and continued wisdom and support. (interpretation) Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.
Minister’s Statement 284 – 4(3): Capacity Building Sessions with Elders from the Community (Quassa)
I rise in the House today to inform my fellow members of the progress in building capacity in early childhood education in support of Sivumut Abluqta, as undertaken by the Nunavut Arctic College Early Childhood Education Program in Iqaluit.
The Nunavut Arctic College Early Childhood Education Program recently hosted elders from the communities of Cape Dorset, Gjoa Haven, and Iqaluit in an interactive sharing session with ECE students on February 14, 2017. This session was designed as an avenue to enrich the knowledge base and learning of the ECE students through an exchange of ideas with elders.
The cultural seminar focused on such topics as storytelling, songs, games, and child rearing practices.
The inclusion of elders in the Early Childhood Education Program ensures that our students are well informed of the principles of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.
The Nunavut Arctic College Early Childhood Education Program will be regularly working with the Inuit elders, who are specialists in the field of early childhood education, to more fully infuse Inuit-specific cultural practices and teachings into the approved and translated outcomes based early childhood education curriculum.
It is essential that these elders, who are the living libraries of cultural knowledge, have the opportunity to present these teachings for incorporation by our students in their pedagogy.
Moving forward, the Early Childhood Education Program will continue to expand the Inuit-specific content in its program delivery.
Member’s Statement 528 – 4(3): The Incorporation of Inuit Qaujimanituqangit (Shooyook)
Mr. Shooyook (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good day to my colleagues and Nunavummiut who are watching the proceedings.
Mr. Speaker, this morning I am overwhelmed by feelings of pride, as it started when I woke up feeling that way, and when my ministerial colleagues made their statements, my heart literally overflowed with pride.
Inuit Qaujimanituqangat is alive in this House.
Mr. Speaker, the news we heard was music to my ears, as our work here on that subject will result in a much better future with that foundation. I am completely filled with pride based on what I have heard today as well as the work we completed over this session.
Especially so, departments now yield to the fact that Inuit Qaujimanituqangat has to form part of their operational foundation and they now acknowledge that.
Due to this fact I am totally pleased in our progress, and I wish to share my feelings of pride with my colleagues and the audience.
Member’s Statement 529 – 4(3): Sudden Passing of Napatchie McRae (Okalik)
Today I want to mention that on Friday one of our relatives passed away here in Iqaluit.
Napatchie McRae, who was my maternal cousin, was invaluable in providing support for the elders in Iqaluit as well as at the elders’ centre. She worked with elders and took care of the elders.
Her absence will leave a large void.
I want to extend my appreciation to those who visit my aged aunt, Enuapik, as she is presenting a strong front as usual.
Her extended family members are keeping her company and I am very thankful to them.
To my fellow residents here in Iqaluit, I want to express my gratitude, as this Saturday I had to assist in some community work and I was unable to attend the meeting here, as I was helping out.
Our fellow citizens really helped out as they provided assistance through volunteering and donating items without any giving thought to their own situation. I was extremely gratified to see that, and I extend my appreciation to all my relatives at this time.
Member’s Statement 530 – 4(3): Gift of Dolls from Sperry-Friesen Family (Angnakak)
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I rise today on your behalf in appreciation of the fine gift that was donated to the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut by the family of the late Bishop Sperry.
Mr. Speaker, in the 1900s the Arctic Anglican Church’s first bishop, Bishop Fleming, was known for his appreciation of Inuit art and he collected pieces which were then gifted to Canadian and American donors who provided financial support to the church.
In those days much of the support for the Arctic Anglican Church came from England and the United States.
In the 1980s Bishop Sperry travelled to the United States to give a talk about the north.
An elderly gentleman at one of those meetings offered Bishop Sperry two pieces of Bishop Fleming’s original Inuit art to take back with him. These were not intended as donations for the church but as a personal gift.
Mr. Speaker, Bishop Sperry chose two dolls and was very pleased to have the opportunity to bring these pieces back home to the north.
Unfortunately it is not known which community the dolls were made in or the exact period. Nonetheless, they are beautiful and unique.
Mr. Speaker, many years later Bishop Sperry gave these dolls to his daughter, Angela Friesen, because, as he told her, he could see that the Arctic was in her heart and he wanted her to have them. Bishop Sperry knew that his daughter would eventually make sure that these dolls found their permanent home in the Arctic.
Indeed, Angela and her family decided to gift the dolls to the Legislative Assembly so that over the years to come, Nunavummiut would be able to see part of their history.
Mr. Speaker, Angela and her husband, Doug, live in Rankin Inlet. When they came to Iqaluit and saw our wonderful Legislative Assembly, they knew that they had found the perfect arctic home for the dolls that were passed on from Bishop Sperry and Bishop Fleming.
Mr. Speaker, on your behalf, I would like to thank the Sperry-Friesen family for their generosity in ensuring that these lovely dolls have a place to showcase Nunavut’s unique culture and history at the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut.
Member’s Statement 531 – 4(3): Update on Activities since School Fire (Qirngnuq)
Good morning, my fellow Kugaaruk residents as well as those in Taloyoak.
I say “good morning” to my colleagues in the House.
Mr. Speaker, I rise this morning to make an announcement for your information after the school erupted in fire in our community.
On March 6 the younger students, especially the students in (interpretation ends) preschool and kindergarten, (interpretation) have resumed their classes.
Further, class materials for the higher grades are being collected in Winnipeg. Our community has received tremendous support. The materials have started arriving and they will be used shortly.
With respect to the breakfast program for the students numbering over 60 up to 80 at times, this program has been a boon to many students. I got the information from the school principal, who passed that information along.
Course materials for the higher grades are also being collected at this time, as expectations were that no classes would resume until later in the spring.
The school principal stated that as a result, the students will only lose about ten hours of instruction time and that the students should be able to complete their studies by the end of the school year.
The students from grades 1 to 6 are currently taking their classes at our church, the students in grades 7 to 9 will be housed in the hamlet community centre, and the students from grades 10 to 12 will be placed in a different building.
The Member for Netsilik is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement.
The school principal announced that the community’s collaborative efforts have resulted in a successful approach to housing the students and the places where the different grades use have been identified.
The hamlet SAO also made an announcement this past Sunday that the hardship faced by Kugaaruk just recently resulted in various challenges that required a lot of work.
The old school gymnasium is partially standing, but it is a hazard to our children, so it was demolished.
This summer we are expecting the five or six portable classrooms to arrive to Kugaaruk.
Local priority has shifted to fast-tracking the completion of the new hamlet offices so that the old hamlet offices can be used for our local school purposes.
These are the initiatives in place now. The new school that will be built will take about three or four years to complete.
The departments of Education and CGS have provided tremendous assistance to Kugaaruk, and I am ecstatic and very appreciative of their help.
Member’s Statement 532 – 4(3): Recognition of Volunteers in Naujaat (Mapsalak)
Good morning to the people of Naujaat, Coral Harbour, and Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize and express my pride in the people of Naujaat who have banded together as a society.
The name of the society is Avvuqtiit Society. The members of this society fundraise locally to assist residents who wish to travel to attend to relatives who may be very ill or when family members pass away in a different community.
Mr. Speaker, I can’t recall the number of years they have been providing this assistance, but their support has been irreplaceable, especially for those people who have no access to disposable income.
They provide this support that allows a fellow resident to travel out to see their relatives or when they lose a relative or to see a gravely ill relative.
Further, I wish to state that this society has been diligent in providing assistance and they have continued to operate smoothly. The numbers of families that have been assisted are increasing, both in Naujaat as well as relatives from outside of Naujaat.
They are all volunteers who work out of their sense of duty and they are very committed, so I would like to state their names, as they have continued to be a source of pride as a representative.
The chairperson is Mary Tuktudjuk, the vice-chairperson is Goretti Tinashlu, the secretary is Belinda Mapsalak, and the board members are Rhoda Tegumiar, Richard Jr. Angotialuk, Joanne Nanordluk, Elizabeth Kidlapik, and Paula Pipili Tegumiar.
Mr. Speaker, these are elders and youth that work together and they work very well together.
For their willingness to work hard to do fundraising, I want my colleagues to join me in appreciating them.
Member’s Statement 533 – 4(3): Traditional Activities at Qaqqalik School (Joanasie)
Mr. Joanasie (interpretation): Good morning, Mr. Speaker.
Good morning to the residents of Kimmirut and Cape Dorset, as well as to my colleagues.
I rise today to express my happiness as well as to applaud the celebrations that took place over the week in Kimmirut, where they held different events and activities recently.
There are two main events I want to talk about.
Mr. Speaker, the first event began in the first week of the month where Qaqqalik School students, staff, and local elders of Kimmirut, of which there were 13, collaborated on celebrating the Inuit language and culture.
Lessons were provided on subjects such as igloo-making using the right type of snow and to showcase Inuit skills.
It included the joyous dancing styles that Inuit adapted. These dances usually bring the community together.
Last but not least, examples of Inuit clothing were showcased, in particular warm winter wear, including caribou and sealskin clothing.
I particularly want to thank Jawlie and Naomi Akavak for modelling the Inuit winter wear clothing.
The second thing I want to speak to relates to hockey, in particular for youth in Kimmirut who are participating.
Last year I announced that a coach visited the community from New Brunswick’s Penobsquis Baptist Church.
They arrived from the province and offered the benefits of training and hockey skills training.
It is the second year that this event has taken place. It provides tangible benefits in both playing the sport and practising the various drills to become more adept at playing hockey.
This included sermons at the local church. I want to thank the people from that church, as well as the people who partook in the Qaqqalik School showcasing of Inuit skills. Let us share in their success.
Member’s Statement 534 – 4(3): Arctic Waters (Enook)
As you know, I have been a strong proponent of environmentally responsible mining development in Nunavut and near my community of Pond Inlet.
My constituents recognize the critical importance of ensuring that large-scale development is undertaken in a responsible and sustainable manner.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, although I am no fan of the federal government’s tendency to announce measures that impact the north without consulting the region’s leaders and people, I strongly do believe that a cautious approach to oil and gas development in our waters is warranted.
Mr. Speaker, the recent announcement by the Nunavut Impact Review Board concerning its role in the strategic environmental assessment in Baffin Bay and Davis Strait indicated that the final report from this process will “inform the 5-year review of the Government of Canada decision to designate Arctic waters as off limits to future oil and gas licences.”
Mr. Speaker, as you will recall, the federal decision was announced shortly before Christmas of last year.
Mr. Speaker, on May 9, 2017 the Nunavut Impact Review Board will be holding a public engagement session in Pond Inlet.
As my colleague from Uqqummiut has noted, other communities will also be visited during the spring.
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker, I encourage my constituents in Pond Inlet and other impacted communities to make their voices heard during this important process.
Question 689 – 4(3): Blueprint for Action on Housing (Angnakak)
Before I get to my question, I want to take this opportunity to briefly note that I was pleased to see that the Nunavut Housing Corporation has recently issued a request for tenders to undertake renovations at the Iqaluit women’s shelter. I look forward to seeing the completion of that work.
Mr. Speaker, my questions today concern the Nunavut Housing Corporation’s Blueprint for Action on Housing. Action 22 in the blueprint indicates that the Nunavut Housing Corporation will work with the Department of Finance to, and I quote, “analyze the current staff housing rents and subsidies to determine appropriate subsidy levels that encourage staff housing tenants to transition out of government-subsidized housing and into private rental or homeownership.”
Can the minister indicate at what stage this work is presently at?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation, Mr. George Kuksuk.
Hon. George Kuksuk (interpretation): Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I also thank the member for that question in regard to staff housing. In the (interpretation ends) Blueprint for Action on Housing (interpretation) it’s true that we need to encourage staff housing tenants to transition out of government-subsidized housing into private rental or homeownership.
This is now being reviewed, including the subsidy and rent levels. To date I haven’t been given an update as to what stage this work is presently at.
They will also be reviewing and analyzing the government staff housing tenants because it’s included in the blueprint for action. At this time I can’t exactly tell the member what stage this work is at.
Government staff housing and public housing g are also part of the blueprint for action.
I note that one of things about the blueprint for action is that it doesn’t really have any concrete timelines, so we need to ask questions like this and it’s unfortunate we couldn’t get an answer this morning.
I hope to hear back from the minister as soon as possible on what’s happening in that area.
In April of 2015 the president of the Nunavut Housing Corporation appeared before a committee of the Senate of Canada. The president’s testimony indicated that, and I quote, “the cost of owning and operating a house in Nunavut ranges from $158,500 to $186,000 per year.
This is the minimum income you would need to be able to afford home ownership in various communities.”
Mr. Speaker, it is my understanding that these numbers are based on community core need income thresholds that are provided by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.
Can the minister indicate how often these numbers are updated to reflect the high cost of living in Nunavut?
I also thank the member for asking that question about the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. I believe I understand the member’s question relating to the housing corporation and the fact that thresholds differ from community to community.
In response to part of her question as to how often numbers are updated, I can tell the member that information has not been provided to me, but my officials are watching. I will ask them to look into this as soon as possible and provide that information to the member and to my colleagues. I’m sure I won’t be able to do it this session, but I’ll probably be able to provide that information during this coming spring session.
Homeownership is a significant responsibility and people need to know what they are getting into before they make the commitment to buy their own home.
I was pleased to note that Action 19 of the Nunavut Housing Corporation’s Blueprint for Action on Housing indicates that the corporation will, and I quote, “engage with financial institutions to gauge interest on the provision of mandatory first-time homeownership training as an eligibility requirement for the NHC homeownership subsidies…” I agree with that action.
I think that’s a great direction that the Nunavut Housing Corporation is going.
Hon. George Kuksuk (interpretation): I again thank my colleague.
Mr. Speaker, I can’t respond for the same reason that I have not been briefed. I have not been briefed as to where they’re at right now, so therefore I cannot tell the member what stage they’re at and how far they are. I am sure my officials are watching.
I can tell the member that I can provide that information to the member, perhaps not today, because I don’t have that information in my office as yet.
Question 690 – 4(3): The Need for a Wellness and Addictions Counsellor (Shooyook)
Mr. Speaker, earlier this sitting, many of my colleagues and I expressed concerns over the impact of alcohol on the well-being of communities, families, and individuals.
Often people need help and support to address their problems with substance abuse or addiction.
The community of Arctic Bay has not had a wellness and addictions counsellor for three years and the need for mental health counselling is increasing.
Can the minister clearly explain what steps are being taken to fill the wellness and addictions counsellor position for Arctic Bay and explain why it is taking so long?
When we are looking at wellness coordinators in the communities, it can sometimes be a challenging position. It brings up a lot of emotions.
When we put out job advertisements, we want to make sure that we get people that are going to be engaged at the community level to work with the hamlet, to work with other organizations, to come forward with a wellness plan for their community.
With the specifics to Arctic Bay, I was unaware that it has taken that long to fill the position.
I can assure the member that I will look into that issue immediately and I will respond to the member directly.
Mr. Shooyook (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the minister for his concise response to my question.
Mr. Speaker, becoming addicted to alcohol or drugs is often linked to other social issues, family problems, and poor mental health.
However, if a person receives support and assistance in recognizing and addressing their problems at an early stage, there is a much better chance of them being able to get control of their addiction and deal with their issues without needing to leave home.
Can the minister provide an update on what consideration has been given to establishing a youth outreach position in the community of Arctic Bay?
With regard to the member’s first question, it leads to the second part.
When there is a wellness coordinator in the community, they speak to different members of the community, such as the member himself and other leadership within the community, to identify areas of focus.
One of the things that we’re specifically working on is the Alcohol Harm Reduction Action Plan, which does take an education and harm reduction... .
It’s a four-pillar approach: prevention, education, harm reduction, treatment, and enforcement. A youth representative would bring a lot of benefit through the programming.
I do appreciate the member’s suggestion and I’ll look forward to see how we can develop that, but I think the priority right now is to make sure that the community of Arctic Bay has a wellness coordinator that can correspond and have dialogue with community members on what focuses and what avenues that they want to address community wellness.
Mr. Shooyook (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank the minister. He answered part of the question.
Mr. Speaker, the health staff in Arctic Bay are very dedicated to their work. However, they are very busy because they are doing their own jobs and also trying to help people with addictions and substance abuse issues.
This can be very time-consuming, especially if a person needs more specialized help, such as being considered for treatment at a rehabilitation centre.
Can the minister indicate whether his department is committed to filling the wellness and addiction counsellor position for the High Arctic?
We assumed that the department was aware of the three years where the position has been vacant.
With no successor in sight, I wonder if the minister will first have to work through the selection process and inform me whether it will be filled this year or some time after 2017. Will he work on speeding up the hiring process?
I truly appreciate the member advocating on behalf of his community.
As we’re all aware, staffing positions is a challenge.
I know there is one mental health worker working in Arctic Bay right now.
If there’s another position that needs to be filled, I know that working with the Department of Finance and human resources, we work very diligently to make sure we’re filling positions, especially in this high need.
I have stated before that there’s a lot more recognition in mental health and addictions and it is, as the member mentioned, putting a burden on existing staff.
We want to make sure, where approved positions are located, that we fill them as quickly as possible.
We also work with other organizations to provide different programs. Specifically in Arctic Bay we work very closely with the hamlet. There are sewing programs for women with the community health and wellness committee.
We also work with Nunavut Arctic College on other programs with kamik-making. There’s a cadet program there.
Again, we work with the hamlet with youth and elders’ programs.
I do acknowledge that maybe we need to get more aggressive in our recruiting methods and it’s something I know I’m continuously talking with my officials at Health that where we have positions, we need to fill them.
I know we’re working very hard and very closely with the Department of Finance to do that.