EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
We will be including funding in our 2003/04 budget for the establishment of two additional RCMP detachments, and I am looking forward to the continued support from the members of this House, so that Chesterfield Inlet and Whale Cove will have full RCMP services sometime next year and we’ll have policing services in all the communities of Nunavut.
Minister’s Statement 062 – 1(6): Nunavut Arctic College Calendar
Hon. Peter Kilabuk (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker, I rise today to inform this House of the publication of a new Calendar of Programs for Nunavut Arctic College.
Later today I will table this Calendar, which provides the citizens of Nunavut with valuable information about the College and the programs offered there.
It will be a useful tool in assisting the people of Nunavut in their education and career planning.
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to draw my colleague’s attention to the cover of the Calendar, which symbolizes the continuing commitment of the College to the promotion of higher learning in Nunavut.
As the cover suggests, this is achieved through the success of our students while maintaining links with the traditions of our past.
Because of the strong message conveyed by the cover NAC has developed it into a promotional poster for the College.
Copies of the calendar and the poster have been distributed throughout the territory.
Additional copies are available at the three regional Campuses.
Mr. Speaker, Nunavut Arctic College is endeavouring to move forward as our territory grows and the development of our calendar of courses is but one of the many new steps we have taken over the past year.
Speaker: Time allocation for Ministers’ Statements is now over.
We’ll move onto Item 3.
Member’s Statement 192 – 1(6): New Christmas Stamps – Irene Katak Sculpture
Mr. Puqiqnak (interpretation): Mr. Speaker, this year Canada Post celebrates the season with a special set of three Christmas stamps displaying the works of Canadian aboriginal artists.
Then stamp that I am talking about is one of Mary and Child by Irene Katak Angutitaak, my sister.
The stamp shows an ivory carving of Mary and Child resting on a soapstone base.
Mary is dressed in Inuit clothing holding the baby Jesus.
Mr. Speaker, my sister’s carving is featured on the international stamp and they will be available in booklets of six or in pages of 25.
Mr. Speaker, some of my sister’s artwork can be found in the Museum of Civilization Winnipeg Art Gallery, the Eskimo Museum and other galleries.
Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased that our Inuit artists are gaining international recognition and I encourage our government to support them whenever possible.
And also, this carving will now be a stamp.
As a brother to that individual I rise on behalf of my family and I feel very proud.
Members, since we don’t have clocks as we discussed yesterday, I will just try tapping my glass and maybe that will signal you.
Sometimes, it is hard to get a hold of you, when you are concentrating on your message.
Member’s Statement 193 – 1(6): Inuit Beliefs and Values
Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of both of my constituencies of Clyde River and Qikiqtarjuaq.
I would like to say that in observing the perceptions of our Nunavut residents, and in looking at how proud they are of the Legislature and the Nunavut Government, we need to represent them even better.
At least that is how I feel personally, especially after observing the interest of the public of the Nunavut residents.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to say after traveling to many communities in Nunavut, I would like to say something that comes from my heart.
As Nunavummiut, most of us have an Inuit and western livelihood, with one foot in each culture.
We presently practice this lifestyle and it has had an impact on me personally.
Although my generation knew the old ways, we also grew up being educated in the formal education system, so we deem the Western culture and systems as acceptable in this day and age.
If we can value the Western culture and traditions, it is okay to live that way, if you are going to just live in that lifestyle.
Mr. Speaker, Inuit traditional livelihood, knowledge and survival skills, we believe in all those values.
If an Inuk would like to live on traditional values, they can do so.
These two different lifestyles are competing with each other and when other people are living another different lifestyle, we start to belittle them for their differences and this creates animosity and conflict between the two groups.
In Nunavut, if we want to have a strong government and society, we should be proud of each other’s culture, no matter what race we are and no matter what religion we are.
This is very important to our young people because we are role models.
Our young people will live a different way than we live today, because the cost of living is increasing and we are now utilizing finances.
Our younger generation will be using finances more so than this generation.
We hope that they will have the education, skills and experience to succeed.
They can be more self-sufficient if they can provide food and shelter for themselves by using the economic opportunities that are available.
Member’s Statement 194 – 1(6): Family Violence Counselling in Communities
I would like to inform the Members that there is a women’s shelter in Iqaluit.
Women go to the shelter when they have problems within their relationship in an outlying community and this creates hardship in the lives of this couple, which can lead to violence.
When there is separation between the man and the woman, their children are impacted negatively, both mentally and physically in their lives.
This is Nunavut’s problem and we will have to address it at the local level.
Perhaps we can have a family counsellor in each community.
I hope you understand that in English.
Also, the children of broken families suffer emotional wounds and it has a negative impact on the whole family, even the women who go to the shelter leave their families behind, and it has a negative impact.
Therefore we need to, sometime in the very near future, consider having a family counsellor in each community and we’d like to see that in each community.
It would be a good idea for the Minister of Health and Social Services to look into this and Nunavummiut would support this initiative.
Ms.Thompson.
Member’s Statement 195 – 1(6): RCMP at Whale Cove
I would like to thank the people of Pangnirtung for their hospitality, and I would also like to thank Simeonie and Daisy for inviting me for meals.
Mr. Speaker, I’m very glad that in Whale Cove, we are now constructing the RCMP detachment houses and the Premier, congratulated the people who are completing their RCMP training.
There’s two individuals from Rankin Inlet, George Henry, whom I think the mother is very proud of, that’s Bernadette’s son, and Mr. Speaker, we also have Silvia Sharp from Rankin Inlet.
Mr. Speaker, I was asked by Jack Angoo, an elder from Whale Cove, if there’s going to be an Inuk RCMP member in Tikiraqjuaq or Whale Cove.
I stated that things are progressing nicely and if things proceed as planned, they may be able to get what they have been requesting.
The Hamlet has been requesting to get an RCMP member there for a while and I’m very pleased, along with the residents of Whale Cove that things are proceeding.
Member’s Statement 196 – 1(6): Installation of Andrew Atagutaluk as Bishop
Mr. Speaker, I’m pleased to rise today to congratulate a great man on a tremendous personal achievement and I would like to urge my colleagues to congratulate him also.
Mr. Speaker, on Sunday September 15, 2002, a change occurred at the Anglican Cathedral in Iqaluit, where Andrew Atagutaluk was installed as the fifth Bishop of the Diocese of the Arctic.
Mr. Speaker, this is an outstanding achievement and I’m proud to be able to say that the new Bishop Andrew is from my constituency, Resolute Bay and Mr. Speaker, his mother and extended family live there still.
Mr. Speaker, this is a momentous occasion and it is important to know that Bishop Andrew is the first Canadian to lead the Arctic Diocese of the Anglican Church.
Mr. Speaker, I have worshipped with the Bishop in St. Jude’s Cathedral in Iqaluit and I know that his new position continues a life spent ministering to the needs of others.
Mr. Speaker, I asked my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Right Reverend Andrew Atagutaluk on his ordination and we are wishing him and his family well in their continued service.
Speaker: Members’ Statement.
Member’s Statement 197 – 1(6): Infrastructure Requirements in Nunavut
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the issue of infrastructure investment in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, all members of this house has spoken with one voice and the need for meaningful federal investments in our infrastructure requirements.
Mr. Speaker, the road to the economic self reliance for Nunavut in particular, and the north as a whole, cannot be travelled without significant improvements in our infrastructure.
We need to see enhancements in our transportation information structure; our communities are desperate in long awaited improvements to their water, sewage and waste treatment facilities.
Indeed the most basic infrastructure of all, housing for our residents remains at shockingly unacceptable levels.
Mr. Speaker, I am concerned that our Federal partners still appear negligent in recognizing the benefits that will accrue to all Canadians with the building of a prosperous North.
Our main concern that the bulk of the available infrastructure dollars are to be used to fund projects not on the basis of need or merit, but mainly on the basis of population alone.
I remain concerned that the Nunavut’s Federal representatives and some of our Ministers are not making our case with significant vigour.
Mr. Speaker, I noted earlier this month that our Minister of Finance expressed shock and disappointment at the Federal position on infrastructure funding for Nunavut.
Now it is normally Members on this side of the House that express such sentiments.
In this case, I, and I am sure that all of us share his feelings.
I hope to see all our Ministers continue to take a firmer line when it comes to dealing with their Federal counterparts.
Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will be asking questions as to what the government’s strategy and priorities are on issues as it moves into the final year of its mandate.
Member’s Statement 198 – 1(6): Marion Tul’Luq’s Art Exhibition
Mr. McLean: Mat’naa Uqaqti.
Uqaqti, it is not often that I am able to share good news with Members of this House two days in a row, but I guess the beautiful Pangnirtung weather and great hospitality has put me in a positive frame of mind.
Uqaqti, Nunavut is home to some of the world’s greatest artists.
There are members of this Legislative Assembly who are themselves renowned worldwide for their work.
Early this month, three generations of Marion Tulluq’s family were present at the National Gallery of Canada for the opening of Baker Lake’s artist’s first solo exhibition.
Sadly, Marion passed away before the opening, battling a long illness.
Uqaqti, I would like to share with members a bit about her life.
She was born near the Back River and lived a traditional lifestyle for more than half of her life, before moving to Baker Lake with her family in the 60’s.
Uqaqti, Marion taught herself how to sew and began her career of selling wall hangings and other works when the Baker Lake Sewing Project began around 1967.
Uqaqti, this exhibition will be on display in Ottawa until January 12th, 2003, and will be travelling to Winnipeg, Toronto, and Guelph.
Uqaqti, the genius of our artists is one of our territories’ strengths.
Inuit art adorns the homes and offices of everyday people and world leaders.
Uqaqti, our government does some good work in the area of art promotion.
But, we can do a lot more and I encourage the government to get on with this.
And also, Mr. Speaker, this week, Irene Taktaalak from Baker Lake, whose art adorns our Legislative Assembly in Iqaluit, is releasing a book in Guelph, Ontario today and I will be making the members of this House and present them with this book.
Member’s Statement 199 – 1(6): Contributions of Irene Katak
Mr. Speaker, the Member for Nattilik was making some statements about the launching of the stamps that will be issued by Canada Post.
I knew that Irene Katak was a very excellent artist.
Her and her husband passed away before they ever moved to the settlement.
They lived a traditional life and I am extremely proud of the couple and also for the recognition of Mary, who will be issued a very special Christmas stamp.
Those are indicators of the past that have to be recognized and also the individuals who made a contribution through their artwork and other contributions.
It reminds you about the hard work that they did.
In closing, for those of you who did not know who Irene Katak is, she was the mother of our commissioner.
Member’s Statement 200 – 1(6): Application Forms for Businesses Too Complicated
I think that you can hear me now.
The monies that are made available for the launching of small businesses, be it organizations or other entities are now available.
For example, I think that there is approximately 20 million dollars that will be made available through the Nunavut Trust.
And this money can be accessed by Inuit who are starting up businesses.
We hear that they have to fill out so many forms, which is not the Inuit way.
And they also have a comptroller or a financial individual who reviews the applications.
There is the Nunavut Development Corporation and other money that could accessed by carvers for tools, grants for small businesses, and the Aboriginal Training Fund.
We have these different pots of money that are accessible by the Inuit.
And we also have the banks where you can access loans.
What I am trying to say is, that these monies are not being accessed by a lot of Inuit, because it is too hard and complicated to access those dollars.
For the bilingual Inuit or for non-Inuit Nunavummiut it is a little easier and they access those funds.
And what happens is that usually if there is a mixed marriage, 51 percent ownership is given to the Inuk, and they are able to access those funds.
What we hear is that the general population or the unilingual Inuit, which is why those funds were established in the first place, are not accessing them.
At the appropriate time, I will be asking the questions to the appropriate Minister during question period.
Speaker: Members’ Statements. Mr. Kilabuk.
Member’s Statement 201 – 1(6): Telehealth Installation at Pangnirtung
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Minister of Health and Social Services on behalf of my constituents here in Pangnirtung.
We had a very interesting morning and Mr. Picco took us to the Health Centre with the Mayor and the Deputy Mayor to look at the telehealth system which will be used to diagnose patients and also to be seen by a doctor anywhere in Canada.
We were able to talk to the Iqaluit hospital to get an idea of how these telehealth sites will be used.
We also talked with the people of Arctic Bay through the telehealth sites.
We now hear that the telehealth site is now installed here in Pangnirtung and will be used for treating patients, or diagnosing the patients.
On behalf of the people of Pangnirtung, I would like to thank you for the installation of this new telehealth site.
Member’s Statement 202 – 1(6): Traditional Bowhead Hunt
My friend and colleague, Mr. Picco, I thank you too.
Well I would like to congratulate you.
Mr Speaker, I would like to just give a brief overview of what was happening this summer in Amittuq.
I am proud to announce that this summer, we were able to catch or harvest a bowhead whale.
We also sent out some meat and muktuk to the people in the outlying communities who requested it.
Also, we all know that some hunters are very capable and occasionally express their capacity during the excitement of the hunt.
This whale gun wasn’t able to shoot a live round, so what they did was that they used a traditional whale lance to kill the specimen.
We never used a harpoon to kill a whale, we only used the traditional whale lance to harvest the whale because the modern equipment would not work.
There was very good cooperation amongst the individuals from Hall Beach and Igloolik during that hunt.
Although the whale was initially lost, they were able to locate and retrieve it.
I would like to congratulate the Inuit from Nunavut for still knowing how to harvest whales in the traditional fashion.
Member’s Statement 203 – 1(6): Lack of Housing in Nunavut
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about the lack of housing or shortage of housing in Nunavut.
Many families are still subjected to inadequate housing in our communities.
Usually in one house, there is overcrowding and a few nuclear families living under one roof.
I would like you to ponder the question on how we can increase the number of houses to be accessible to the general public, especially with the many young families in our communities.
I’m sure, not only my community but, I think that all of Nunavut communities are lacking or experiencing shortage of housing.
As you know, if there is overcrowding in a house, it goes hand in hand with health and other social problems.
I was very pleased to hear about the Ministers’ Statement that was made earlier today on the housing challenges and I would also like you to consider other issues that can elevate the housing problems of today so I will be asking the appropriate minister about these housing issues later during question period.
I thought that we would just keep going if nobody put up their hand.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize an individual who has been a long time mayor in Pangnirtung and very well known in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
This individual has worked extremely hard as councillor and as a mayor.
I would like to recognize Joanasie Maniapik, if you would rise please.
And also Mr. Speaker, yesterday we were very pleased to go see the trawler that was here to offload their halibut catch and we have another individual here, who has been working at the fisheries plant, the individual sitting right beside Joanasie; Jupa Sauluapik.
And Mr. Speaker, I think it was couple of days ago there was a mispronunciation of this individuals name and I will recognize him properly; Joanasie Karpik, who was mistakenly called Peterloosie at that time and his older brother Peterloosie Karpik, who is sitting beside him.
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to recognize all the people who are here and it’s too bad that the students have already left the chambers.
Mr. Speaker, as I sat here on the first day, I decided that I was going to name only a few individuals per day, during recognition of Visitors of the Gallery.
Item 5 Recognition of Visitors of the Gallery.
As a resident of Kitikmeot, it seems like we’re so far away from home, because Pangnirtung is way on the east coast of Baffin Island and it seems like where we are from is very far away.
Even though that might be the case, because we’re so welcomed here it seems that we’re related.
I would like to recognize the interpreters as our Inuinnaqtun interpreters go wherever we travel; the Inuinnaqtun Interpreters please rise, James and Henry Alakannuark, our interpreters.
Speaker: Recognition to the Visitors in the Gallery.
It gives me a great pleasure today to welcome to the gallery, the facilitator of this morning excellent adventure with telehealth, the manager of telehealth for Nunavut, Tina McKinnon and next to Tina is Megan Power.
Now, Megan is the regional telehealth coordinator and this morning she was playing the part of a patient with a severe outbreak of a rash and using the power of telehealth with Dr. Sandy MacDonald in Iqaluit, we were able to diagnose and actually treat Megan’s serious afflictment and you can see Mr. Speaker, that Megan is completely covered.
Can you show us your arm, please Megan?
It’s all gone now and the rash has been cured through telehealth so I would like to point it out.
And also, I noticed in the gallery is a former constituent of mine, this summer my daughter came to Pangnirtung for a holiday for a few weeks and stayed with Shuvinai Mike and her family and they had a great time boating and tenting so I would like to welcome Shuvianai to the Gallery also.
Item 5 Recognition of Visitors to the Gallery.
Even though these people were already recognized, I would like to recognize them again, before I became a Member of the Legislative Assembly, I used to be on the same board so I would like to recognize Joanasie Karpik and I used to be in the meetings with Peteroosie Karpik, he used to be a good friend of mine and Joanasie Maniapik, I have known him for quite some time and as a Member of the Legislative Assembly and I would like to recognized him today.
Speaker: Recognition of Visitors to the Gallery.
I have so many to recognize here, but I especially would like to recognize some people I went to Churchill with, the last names have changed just like mine.
So I would like to recognize those people and I especially want to recognize those people who sang when the Queen visited and the choir’s voice really came through.
There was a group there from Pangnirtung, I would like to recognize Daisy Dialla, and Oleepeeka Kanayuk and the younger Inuit ladies, because they sang very well when the Queen visited.
Recognition of Visitors to the Gallery. Any further Recognition of Visitors to the Gallery.
Question 210 – 1(6): RCMP Training Qualifications
Yesterday I didn’t quite catch our timeline, even though I had a lot of questions, I hope you allow me to ask questions today, Mr. Speaker, in regards to the Justice Minister.
Yesterday, in my statement I said that there were problems that we encountered in regards to the RCMP back then, and then we heard that there was a graduation class of new RCMP Members, so I would like to ask the Minister of Justice a question.
The people who took the training and there was a mention that there were 10 students who completed the training.
I believe it was 6 months long and we all know that they were trained at the RCMP training centre which is used by all of Canada and we are very proud that they were able to participate.
But, I would like to ask if they took the training that all RCMP recruits take when they take the training because if they wish to go down south then they have to be qualified.
I wonder if that will be the case if they have to leave Nunavut.
Minister Premier Okalik.
The detachments operate individually, but we contract them to the communities and these graduates are qualified members who will be able to go, I believe it’s after every two years.
It’s up them if they wish to go to a different region, a lot of times they are asked if they want to go to a different community, and we would like them to stay in Nunavut but sometimes it’s very educational once you go to a different environment in your life, so it’ll be up to them if they wish to move.
But we encourage them to stay in Nunavut because they’ll be very useful and they know the culture of the Inuit. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Yes, we might often think that if they wish to move down south, they probably will but I would like to ask the question that is kind of a supplementary to the question I asked.
The RCMP probably have policies or procedures in place, that they are able to represent the citizens according to what their duties are, because I haven’t heard any kind of policies or procedures they may have and I don’t know what procedures they follow.
Can there be a report or some documents that can show us what the RCMP have to do in dealing with citizens here in Nunavut and what is required once they are stationed in Nunavut.
They have different statutes or policies they are bound by and they can’t usually go over the boundary according to the legislation, which is applicable throughout Canada.
They can’t just enter a residence unless they have a warrant, so those are procedures that they have to follow and those applied to all the resident to all the RCMP in Canada and as government, we also give these powers to the RCMP in regards to searching and things like liquor licensing, those are the kinds of procedures that we give to the people.