EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I thank the member for providing me with information about that issue in Churchill, Manitoba.
It would seem that if we’re talking about Churchill, Manitoba, this should not be the case and it is unacceptable to have patients in that kind of circumstance. The patients, children, and escorts shouldn’t be in a place that may cause infections.
I will commit to reviewing that and I will report back to the member.
I will ask my officials to look into that building which we used to call Iglualuk.
I’ll look into that matter, Mr. Speaker, and once I get that information, I’ll provide it to my colleague.
Speaker: Your first supplementary, Mr. Ningark.
I would like to tell the House that I don’t exactly know if this is indeed the case and I am unsure if this had made the record, but we are slated to return to our communities on Friday.
Could the minister provide that information before Friday on whether this is actual fact or a superficial complaint?
If the patients left this week and if they were lodged in the overflow building other than the building housing Nunavut residents, I will ensure that we look into that matter. I am certain that we can find out within a day what the circumstances were and I will inform the member on the situation.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Minister. Thank you, Mr. Ningark. (interpretation ends) Oral Questions. Member for Quttiktuq, Mr. Elliott.
Question 401 – 3(2): Sexual Health Campaign (Elliott)
In February of this year, the Department of Health and Social Services launched a new sexual health campaign over the Internet on the website irespectmyself.com.
I would like to commend the minister and his officials for being so proactive and putting the information out there in a way that is highly accessible to youth and young adults.
Can the minister update this House on what kind of reception this campaign has received and how many hits there have been on the website since the launch?
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Elliott. Minister of Health and Social Services, Hon. Tagak Curley.
Hon. Tagak Curley (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, we worked on that campaign and I have seen individuals working at the store who assisted other youth regarding this program.
I don’t know how many hits the website has received, but I will be able to get that information before the session is over and report back to you.
Speaker: Thank you. Your first supplementary, Mr. Elliott.
The issue of sexually transmitted diseases is a sensitive one.
I am aware that information is made available to youth through school programs as well as in information pamphlets made available in community health centres.
Can the minister update this House on whether any other types of information campaigns are being considered by his department?
That’s a very good question related to public health.
In Nunavut, youth are starting to open up. It’s not just youth who are opening up on these kinds of issues. They are more open to talking about sexually transmitted diseases.
What I can state is that our partners, aboriginal health funding and NTI, support us through various means, such as funding.
Once I get the updated information, I’ll be able to provide that information here and table it in the House.
Mr. Elliott: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. During our review of the departmental budgets, I have noted that the Government of Nunavut received federal funding for the human papilloma virus (HPV) immunization program. Can the minister update the House on the progress of the program and what target groups are identified for immunization?
We deferred that somewhat due to the H1N1 outbreak, as per the member’s question.
Although we had to defer the matter, I can tell you that the youth were going to be vaccinated for HPV and we wanted to start that this winter.
I’ll be able to table it once I get the updated information.
Thank you for that answer to the question.
Just for clarification, so the HPV vaccination, which is normally targeted towards females, girls and women, you are saying that is being made available to both men and women.
Hon. Tagak Curley (interpretation): Thank you. I did not mention men at all.
It was the federal government that provided funding for this program.
As I stated earlier, we delayed the program due to the H1N1 emergency vaccination program since we did not want to have two separate vaccination programs.
This program is geared towards those who are in grade 6 and up. If you are female and nine years old or older, you should be vaccinated.
I do not have the details, but I believe this has gone ahead.
As I said before, once I get the information, I will be able to provide it to you and table it.
Speaker: (interpretation): Thank you, Minister.
I am requesting and seeking consent to return to Item 5 in our order paper.
There are none. We have returned to Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery.
It is not too often that I recognize members in the Gallery, so I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the Mayor of Kugluktuk, Ernie Bernhardt.
Hon. Tagak Curley (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to acknowledge a member of my staff, Harry Niakrok. He is the very first Inuk regional director at the Department of Health.
Welcome, Harry.
I, too, would like to recognize a former colleague from the NWT legislature, Mr. Ernie Bernhardt. Welcome to the House.
At this time, we will take a 20-minute break and return when we call you.
>>House recessed at 15:17 and resumed at 15:45
Reply to Opening Address 001 – 3(2): Mr. Tagak Curley (Curley)
Hon. Tagak Curley (interpretation): Mr. Speaker, a wonderful afternoon, as you always state your constituency, especially to Rankin Inlet and the people of Nunavik who are listening in, as well as all of my colleagues.
I rise this afternoon, Mr. Speaker, to comment briefly about the history and still unsettled issue of the federal government’s relocation policy in the early 1950s and to welcome our friends from Nunavik visiting Nunavut since last week.
Before I introduce them, let me take you back to a time for a moment.
In the early 1950s, as a young boy from Coral Harbour, I used to take part in the annual medical physical exams carried out by medical personnel on board the ship HMCS C.D. Howe.
Unlike any other occasion one summer when the C.D. Howe arrived, my young friends and I noticed that there were Inuit families on the ship.
We wondered as boys, where were they going and why.
This was in 1953, Mr. Speaker.
During my last High Arctic tour in April, my good friend, Larry Audlaluk, and his wife, Annie, took me to the exact location where those families were dropped off to begin a new life changing survivor challenge in the High Arctic.
Larry Audlaluk at that time was about a three-year-old youngster when he began his journey in the foreign environment, desolate, dark, and very cold in the early fall on Ellesmere Island.
Mr. Speaker, our friends from Inukjuaq, Nunavik have been visiting Grise Fiord and Resolute Bay since last week.
They are descendants and relatives of the families who were moved by the federal government.
For the record, Mr. Speaker, these are two groups of people from Inukjuaq visiting our communities of Resolute Bay and Grise Fiord.
I would like to mention their names for the record.
In Grise Fiord, we have the following 11 friends:
Louisa Aqiaruq Ningiuk
Joanasie Ningiuk
Anna Samisack
Sarah Inukpak
Tommy Ningiuk
Dora Ningiuk
Elisapee Williams
Leah Konoajoak from Puvirnituq
Elisapee Nutara
Joanassie Nungaq
Louisa Ellijassialuk
In Resolute Bay, they are:
Aibilie Echalook
Siasie Smiler
Brenda Epoo  Meigan Kasudluak
Nialie Nastapoka
Siasie Nastapok
Lizzie Kasudluak
Lizzie Weetaluktuk
Sackariasie Pauloosie
Minnie Nowkawalk Echalook
Noah Echalook
Anisie Echalook
Annie Inukpuk from Umiujaq
Tumasi Kenuajuak from Puvirnituq
Lizzie Amagoalik
There are 28 people visiting the High Arctic.
Let us all welcome our visitors with open arms and compassion.
Mr. Speaker, why am I commenting on a 57-year-old event and issue?
My answer is, Mr. Speaker, this institution, the Legislative Assembly and our government, serves the current region, the High Arctic, Grise Fiord and Resolute Bay, which includes our citizens and the second-generation members of the relocation project of our own federal government.
The history is important to them.
Mr. Speaker, our visitors from Nunavik would agree Nunavutmiut must not forget this, the difficult period of our short history of government intervention, disrupting real lives for the so-called plan to solve what the federal government called, “The Eskimo Problem.” (interpretation ends) In the English language, they called that they had an Eskimo problem. (interpretation) The problem defined was that Inuit were concentrating in our communities too quickly.
(interpretation ends) I call it a social safety net.
There were not many, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) The dependence on government for a social safety net, mainly the family allowance, children in schools, and health treatments, they decided had to be prevented if at all possible.
This, they claimed, would restore the true nature of the Eskimo completely disconnected from the Canadian society back in the 1950s.
However, as Inuit were moving to a life of schools and stores, that was the only way to survive.
We had to have rifles.
The federal government provided for Canadians through family allowance. (interpretation ends) No problem with that. (interpretation) The federal government was faced with a complex Inuit situation that had some federal officials perplexed.
The one who barked loudest about the Eskimo problem was Inspector Henry Larsen of the RCMP in the 1950s.
Mr. Speaker, to refresh your memory, Mr. Larsen was credited in 1940-42 of navigating the Northwest Passage with the help of the unnamed Inuit team members from Pond Inlet going to Vancouver and coming back to Halifax.
In reference to this polar trip, Mr. Speaker, my friend from the Tununiq riding stated in this House and I quote, “during the cold, the officer could not relieve himself of his biological products without the help of Inuit.”
It must have been a humiliating experience for all involved in this task.
Let us read exactly what Mr. Larsen means about the “Eskimo Problem.”
In an excellent book about the relocating policy of the federal government, the author of the book, Relocating Eden, Alan Rudolph Marcus quoted Mr. Larsen’s description of Inuit, “The average Canadian has no conception of how the once healthy and resourceful Eskimo has been exploited to such a degree that he now lives a life comparable to that of a dog.”
(interpretation ends) I was born before the 1950s. I never compared my families to that description.
Shame on him, Mr. Speaker.
(interpretation) And he continues by stating, “The Eskimos generally have drifted into a state of lack of initiative and confusion.
Conditions generally are appalling.
Never have there existed so much destitution, filth and squalor as exists today, and in the opinion of some people the conditions of under which some natives live is a disgrace to Canada, surpassing the worst evils of slum areas in cities.
Bad sanitary and economic conditions are gradually in their extermination.”
Inspector Larsen was convinced in 1952 that by dispersing Inuit who lived around settlements and relocating them to sites rich in game, their standard of living would improve.
Mr. Marcus in his book tells the reader about Mr. Larsen’s plans and I quote, “I also have in mind a plan to relieve the over population of some areas.”
He suggested that they transfer to Dundas Harbour near Devon Island, “several needy families to these places where colonization by them appears to be suitable and feasible.”
The site for transfer, as they chose to call it, to relocate families from Inukjuaq was later expanded to other locations in the High Arctic. The plan was that RCMP would select families from concentrated areas from Nunavik and move them voluntarily to the High Arctic.
Mr. Larsen said that they would move them voluntarily to the High Arctic.
Mr. Speaker, the Inuit version completely differs and contrary to the RCMP’s version that relocation of certain numbers of families was all voluntary.
Mr. Speaker, I think there was official policy decided that it had to look like and smell like a “completely voluntary” relocation, transfer, I mean.
The RCMP and other federal officials decided to contain the official reason to colonize the Arctic, thereby, to some extent, deceived Canadians about this shameful policy and if I may say, inhumane treatment.
I am not proud of the actions taken, Mr. Speaker, which have taken place after I was born.
One of the RCMP members involved in the move, Mr. Bob Pilot, made a report to the federal government and stated that the relocation project was a success. The feds officially, I think, established a policy of deception supported by all elements of then government officials, law enforcement through the RCMP, that this was justifiable cause.
Mr. Speaker, I think that’s the only way that they could make a report to the federal government because it was a shameful process and they made a decision at that point not to include the Inuit’s comments, perceptions, or reports.
Only the people who go up to visit today can say that it was not a successful project and that they were homesick.
If they had the opportunity and their own boat, they would have all gone back home to Northern Québec.
The residents of Pond Inlet who went there would return to Pond Inlet by dog team. They were made to go to Resolute Bay and Grise Fiord to help the people of Northern Québec.
They had to listen and they went there to help.
There was Akpaliapik and Arnakallak, who participated and helped the relocated, and their 80-year-old mother wanted to go home. Because they had to listen to their mother, they made it back home.
The question was: should I listen to the RCMP officials or to my mother?
Arnakallak made the right choice because he listened to his mother.
Mr. Speaker, in September 1953, four families, 14 individuals, were dropped off at the point about six miles or so west of current Grise Fiord.
Two families from Pond Inlet joined the new population.
Their new home was a small stretch of low, narrow, dried up sand beach just above the tide mark, below the huge mountain only a few yards behind. They had no boats at this new living site.
No store. No water supply, no lakes nor river at this mountain.
No dwellings, each family had to pitch their tents for the winter.
RCMP detachment location at Craig Harbour was about 17 miles away.
It was an unwelcoming site, un-Canadian, certainly not, Mr. Speaker, Inuit way of welcoming new friends who arrived from a far distance.
Mr. Speaker, as an Inuk, I would not have callously dumped anyone out to nowhere even in those days. (interpretation ends) I’m not proud of our history, Mr. Speaker.
History is important to all of us and to our students.
(interpretation) Three family members, about 14 individuals, from Inukjuaq were taken to Resolute Bay, again further separating families upon arrival.
They were not informed that they were to split upon arrival into the High Arctic.
One extra family from Pond Inlet joined the new citizens of Resolute Bay. That was the Idlout family from Pond Inlet.
The people from these two communities are very grateful to those Pond Inlet families.
Mr. Speaker, in conclusion, not too long ago, I was at the location where the “relocatees” were dropped off in Nuvuarjualuk with my friend, Larry Audlaluk, along with the mayor and friends from Grise Fiord.
It was emotional to actually step into history.
Larry finds this place a sad reminder of a difficult time, the unjust and inhumane treatment of all Inuit, including his family, who were dropped off.
Mr. Speaker, Larry Audlaluk was four years old the following summer in 1954 when his father, Paddy Aqiatusuk, suddenly died.
He is buried at Nuvuarjuk amongst the rugged rocks of the slope.
Larry, often with tears on his cheeks, finds this place, his father’s grave, to reflect on the plight, challenge, emotion, and hope his father may have wondered about his wife and if there was a future at all for his four children.
Mr. Speaker, Larry is a fair man.
Larry is very strong.
Without any hesitation when he regained his composure will say at his father’s grave, “I forgave them.”
It was very emotional when I heard that from Mr. Audlaluk.
He said to me, “Come over here so we can have a picture taken,” and you feel that there is finally peace at his father’s grave.
There is no anger but there is forgiveness.
We will not forget the contributions our former citizens from Pond Inlet provided to the newcomers as they orientated and learned about the environment and the wildlife.
We can thank them here in the House, but I can say, Mr. Speaker, that this is an incomplete story.
It is up to the federal government to pay tribute and acknowledge the people who were relocated there.
There were four RCMP posts up there starting in 1922. Why is it that the posts in Bache Peninsula, Craig Harbour, and Dundas Harbour were closed?
Apparently, those posts were established because Greenlanders were coming over to Canada too often.
Those stations were posted in 1922 because they had over 100 dogs that had to be fed year-round.
They had tremendous help from the Greenlanders.
Lorne Kusugak has read that book by Mr. Harry Stallworthy, who was the officer in charge and who wrote forthrightly.
These posts were closed down as they moved towards Dundas Harbour and Craig Harbour near Grise Fiord.
That was the beginning of arctic sovereignty efforts by the federal government.
When the station in Bache Peninsula was being closed down at around 1926, Craig Harbour became an RCMP detachment near Grise Fiord.
Dundas Harbour was closed around 1924-25. At the time that people were relocated to Grise Fiord, there were two RCMP stations that were closed.
To this day, sovereignty has been part of relocating people to the High Arctic.
Mr. Speaker, with that, we would like to thank all of the people of Pond Inlet, and as Mr. Audlaluk stated, they were the ones who helped and supported the newcomers.
With that, in conclusion, Mr. Speaker, in September of this year, Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated has extended an invitation to me and I am sure the other MLAs will be participating.
In September, they will be setting up a monument and a plaque retelling the story of the people from Nunavik who were relocated to the High Arctic.
So please keep in mind that this event will take place around the middle of September.
As a reminder, there is another book that I read written by Frank Tester and the title is “Tammarniit” (mistakes). (interpretation ends) It’s all about the relocation policy. (interpretation) It’s very complex, but it tells the story of what reports were made by the federal government.
I would like to thank the High Arctic MLA, who stated this morning that the National Film Board of Canada has set up film regarding Martha.
Mr. Speaker, we have to make those statements and include it as part of the curriculum in the schools.
Arctic sovereignty is not concluded to date.
Grise Fiord and Resolute Bay have made huge contributions. Because of that, it is up to the federal government to put in the money so that they will be acknowledged.
With that, Mr. Speaker, I thank you for giving me this opportunity.
Petition 004 – 3(2): Petition to Hold a Public Inquiry into Uranium Mining in Nunavut (Aupaluktuq)
I have the honour today of presenting a petition that has been signed by approximately 142 Nunavummiut from the communities of Baker Lake, Arviat, Chesterfield Inlet, Rankin Inlet, and Iqaluit.
Mr. Speaker, the petitioners have noted that a number of jurisdictions in Canada have banned uranium mining and exploration because of concerns regarding the risks it poses to people and the environment.
The petitioners are calling for a public inquiry to be held on the issue of uranium mining in Nunavut.
Committee Report on Bills 010 – 3(2): Bill 20, An Act to Amend Certain Acts Related to Education (Okalik)
Mr. Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Standing Committee on Legislation has reviewed Bill 20, An Act to Amend Certain Acts Related to Education.
I would like to inform the House that the bill is ready for consideration in Committee of the Whole.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to waive Rule 68(6) and have Bill 20 immediately moved into Committee of the Whole.
The member is seeking unanimous consent to waive Rule 68(6) and have Bill 20 immediately moved into Committee of the Whole.
There are no nays. Bill 20 can now be placed immediately in Committee of the Whole.
Tabled Document 169 – 3(2): Nunavut Lottery Government of Nunavut, Financial Statements, March 31, 2009 (Kusugak)
Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On behalf of the Minister of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth, (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I would like to table the following document: Nunavut Lottery Government of Nunavut, Financial Statements, March 31, 2009.
I have documents to table.
Tabled Document 170 – 3(2): List of Outstanding Statutory Tabling Requirements (Speaker)
This list is current as of today’s tablings. Please note that items for the 2009-2010 year will be included in my next listing, which I will present in the fall sitting of the House.
Notices of Motions. Mr. Schell.
Motion 025 – 3(2): Extended Adjournment – Notice (Schell)
Mr. Schell: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Wednesday, June 9, 2010, I will move the following motion:
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Cambridge Bay, that notwithstanding Rule 4, that when the House concludes its present sitting in Iqaluit, it shall be adjourned until October 19, 2010.
Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills. Hon. Tagak Curley.
Bill 35 – Licensed Practical Nurses Act – Notice
Hon. Tagak Curley: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on June 9, 2010, that Bill 35, Licensed Practical Nurses Act, be read for the first time.
Bill 37 – Tobacco Damages and Health Care Costs Recovery Act – Notice
I give notice that June 9, 2010, that Bill 37, Tobacco Damages and Health Care Costs Recovery Act, be read for the first time.
Member South Baffin, Mr. Schell.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Schell. The member is seeking unanimous consent to deal with his motion today.
You may proceed with your motion, Mr. Schell.  Motion 025 – 3(2): Extended Adjournment (Schell)
Further, at any time prior to October 19, 2010, if the Speaker is satisfied, after consultation with the Executive Council and the Members of the Legislative Assembly, that the public interest requires that the House should meet at an earlier time during adjournment, the Speaker shall give notice and thereupon the House shall meet at the time stated in such notice and shall transact its business as if it had been duly adjourned to that time.
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters: Bills 20, 28, 29, 30, 31, 33, 34, and 36, Tabled Documents 13 – 3(2), 66 – 3(2), 99 – 3(2), and 100 – 3(2) with Mr. Ningeongan in the Chair.
Before we proceed to the Committee of the Whole, we will take a short five-minute break.
>>House recessed at 16:25 and Committee resumed at 16:36
Chairman (Mr. Ningeongan) (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) I would like to call the meeting to order.
In Committee of the Whole, we have the following items to deal with: Bills 20, 28, 29, 30, 31, 33, 34, and 36, and Tabled Documents 13 – 3(2), 66 – 3(2), 99 – 3(2), and 100 – 3(2).
We wish to review the following: Bill 33, Bill 34, Bill 28, Bill 30, Bill 31, Bill 29, and Bill 36, if time permits.
Are we in agreement that we first deal with Bill 33?
Bill 33 – An Act to Amend the Integrity Act – Consideration in Committee
I would like the Law Clerk to join us at the table.
I would now like to ask the Speaker to make his opening remarks. (interpretation) Sergeant-at-Arms, if you can escort the officials in, please.
(interpretation ends) I would now like to ask the Speaker to make his opening remarks.
I am very pleased to have the opportunity to appear today before the Committee of the Whole on the occasion of its consideration of Bill 33, An Act to Amend the Integrity Act.
This bill makes a number of amendments to this important piece of legislation.