EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Mr. Ningark: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table today a copy of a letter I received from the Hamlet of Kugaaruk regarding an airport land lease issue involving the Nunavut Housing Corporation’s construction of a five-plex unit in the community.
As a courtesy, Mr. Speaker, I would like to inform the Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation that I will be sending him correspondence on this issue shortly. I look forward to his reply.
Tabling of Documents. Mr. Komoartok.
Tabled Document 141 – 3(2): Photos of the Pujualussait Demonstration and Information Concerning Aboriginal Healing Foundation Funding (Komoartok)
I wish to table today photos of the demonstration that was held near the Pujualussait office in Pangnirtung on March 15, 2010, and information on how the Aboriginal Healing Foundation’s funding has been used in our community.
In my Members’ Statement a couple of days ago, I indicated how this funding contributes to community wellness and I would like to encourage all Nunavummiut to continue calling on the federal government to renew the Aboriginal Healing Foundation’s funding.
Tabled Document 142 – 3(2): Report of the Auditor General of Canada to the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut on Human Resource Capacity in the Government of Nunavut (Speaker)
Tabled Document 143 – 3(2): 2008-2009 Annual Report of the Languages Commissioner (Speaker)
Members, I wish to table today the Report of the Auditor General of Canada to the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut on the Human Resource Capacity in the Government of Nunavut.
I have another document. Thank you, Members. I wish to table today the 2008-09 Annual Report of the Languages Commissioner of Nunavut.
Motion 018 – 3(2): Reinstatement of Federal Funding for the Aboriginal Healing Foundation – Notice (Ningeongan)
I give notice that on Monday, March 22, 2010, I will move the following:
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Member for Quttiktuq, that the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut calls on the Government of Canada to fully reinstate the funding to the programs and services provided under the Aboriginal Healing Foundation which support Nunavummiut.
Mr. Ningeongan is seeking unanimous consent to deal with his motion today.
There are no nays. You may proceed with your motion, Mr. Ningeongan.
Motion 018 – 3(2): Reinstatement of Federal Funding for the Aboriginal Healing Foundation (Ningeongan)
Mr. Ningeongan: Thank you, Mr. Speaker and my hon. colleagues.
WHEREAS the Government of Canada has indicated that it will be eliminating funding to the Aboriginal Healing Foundation as of March 31, 2010;
AND WHEREAS this federal funding supports critically needed, community-driven healing and wellness programs that support communities, families, and individuals who have begun their healing journeys;
AND WHEREAS these programs assist a wide range of individuals, including survivors of residential schools;
AND WHEREAS these programs have proven to be sufficiently flexible to meet individual community needs by allowing for the delivery of services by those who best understand their impact on local individuals;
AND WHEREAS Nunavummiut have identified that healthy communities are a priority as identified in Tamapta and these programs have contributed greatly to the elimination of the pain and trauma that have afflicted Inuit as a result of generations of profound social upheaval and have had a positive impact on our communities;
AND WHEREAS the loss of these programs would represent a significant setback for community-driven wellness and healing and would threaten the viability of community support programs that have been developed over the past decade;
Before we proceed with the debate on the motion, I have a few comments to make as to the procedure.
The mover of the motion has the right the last reply, which closes the debate. To the motion. Mr. Ningeongan.
I am very honoured to have the opportunity today to speak to my motion and I would like to thank my colleague from Quttiktuq for having seconded it.
Mr. Speaker, the Aboriginal Healing Foundation was established on March 31, 1998 with a mandate to provide support and funding to help communities and individuals work towards healing the traumas experienced as a result of the residential school system.
Mr. Speaker, as you may be aware, it took some time for communities to begin to bring themselves to face the effects of this unresolved trauma; effects such as violence, depression, the lack of parenting skills, and the lack of capacity to build and sustain healthy families.
It took some time for concerned and dedicated individuals and organizations to reach out to the Aboriginal Healing Foundation and say, “Yes, we want to address these issues and we need your support.”
And Mr. Speaker, it took our federal government some time to accept true responsibility for its role in the residential school system and the damaging impact these schools had on aboriginal culture, heritage, and language.
Mr. Speaker, it was not until June 11, 2008 that the Prime Minister of Canada offered a formal apology to former students of residential schools and sought forgiveness for their suffering.
Mr. Speaker, as the Prime Minister himself stated at the time, “… the absence of an apology has been an impediment to healing and reconciliation.”
He said that less than two years ago and yet here we are, already facing the end of a critically important federal program specifically aimed at providing funding for the very same healing and reconciliation that the Prime Minister spoke of.
Mr. Speaker, Nunavummiut have not had much time to seriously start the difficult process of healing.
The damage inflicted by the residential school system has affected not one, not two, but three generations of Inuit and possibly more.
To expect individuals and families and communities to recover from that kind of damage in such a short time is too soon.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a moment to pay tribute to some of the very praiseworthy programs that have been supported by funding from the Aboriginal Healing Foundation.
Last November, I rose in this House to recognize the strength and courage of a group of men from Coral Harbour who had come together to address their roles and responsibilities as husbands, fathers, and grandfathers.
Their mission is to become better stewards of their families.
They have started on an important journey.
Mr. Speaker, healing programs across Nunavut have finally started to get on a roll.
To cease funding now would seriously interrupt the progress that is being made towards health and well-being.
The termination of the Aboriginal Healing Foundation funding would leave many Nunavut programs in limbo.
I strongly urge the federal government to reinstate this important source of funding and support.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge the strong voices that have come together to call for the continuation of the Aboriginal Healing Foundation.
The Qikiqtani Regional Inuit Association held a peaceful gathering here in the capital city of Iqaluit.
As my colleagues have noted in this House, the communities of Pangnirtung and Clyde River have also come out in strength to support the continuation of this program.
I am very proud that our regional Inuit organizations are speaking out on this important issue.
Mr. Speaker, to terminate the Aboriginal Healing Funding now would defeat the whole purpose of the apology that our Prime Minister made on behalf of the Government of Canada.
The federal government must recognize that healing takes time.
Recovery does not happen overnight.
In the case of systemic and long-term trauma such as that brought about by the residential school system, it may not take two years or even ten years to recover.
Some of our healing programs are only just beginning to have a profound positive impact.
Now is not the time to pull away the support.
Mr. Speaker, I urge each and every Member of this House to support this motion.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased, pursuant to Rule 59, to call for a recorded vote on this motion.
I am honoured to have been asked to second the motion on the reinstatement of federal funding for the Aboriginal Healing Foundation.
Over the past decade, funding through the Aboriginal Healing Foundation has helped community-based groups across Nunavut develop effective programs that are designed by and for the community.
It is clear that many of our people continue to suffer the consequences of the residential school system.
Many of our social and health problems, such as addictions and suicide, can be linked to the legacy of residential schools.
Mr. Speaker, the foundation’s programs provide counselling and treatment in the areas of mental health, addictions, and violence.
Mr. Speaker, these programs are delivered in a traditional and culturally appropriate manner for their clients and community. Furthermore, the programs provide employment opportunities in the communities for full-time counsellors and program coordinators.
They also provide seasonal employment for elders, hunters, sewing teachers, and guides.
With the Aboriginal Healing Foundation funding coming to an end on March 31 of this year, about a dozen programs in Nunavut will have to stop the important work they are doing.
Mr. Speaker, it is for these reasons that I ask my colleagues to support this important motion.
I congratulate my colleagues for moving and seconding this important motion.
Mr. Speaker, I have known MLA Ningeongan for many years. He has been a tireless supporter of people in Nunavut in his capacity as mayor, president of NAM, and now as an MLA.
I’m getting to know MLA Ron Elliott. He has been a tireless advocate for his constituents up in the High Arctic.
So it’s no surprise to me that they stand up today and call on this Assembly and call on the Government of Canada to reinstate and continue the funding to the Aboriginal Healing Foundation.
Mr. Speaker, as a mayor of my community over the years, I have seen the tremendous benefit of that program to my constituents.
Cutting this program now, while it will save Canada money and help them fight their deficit, it will cause undue hardship, I believe, to Nunavummiut who desperately need this help now.
My community, as I said, has benefited and will continue to benefit if the funding remains intact.
Mr. Speaker, I don’t want to repeat the benefits of the program, but the Aboriginal Healing Foundation does support numerous programs and services to Nunavummiut who otherwise would not be receiving help.
As the Minister of Finance for the Government of Nunavut, I know that our funding resources are extremely limited to help those people.
But in my other capacity as the Minister of Justice, I also know that working at the community level, the work and the programs that the Aboriginal Healing Foundation assists with helps our department and helps people in the communities with counselling.
So I’ll be wholeheartedly supporting this motion today, and I urge the Government of Canada to reconsider their intentions to cut this program and reinstate it for all Nunavummiut.
I also wish to thank the mover and the seconder of the motion.
This is indeed a very important issue and it was eloquently expressed as to why healing programs need continued funding.
This also applies to anger management courses since many of our survivors have suppressed or festering rage due to the many abuses suffered at the hands of the colonialists. The social ills we now face are a resulting factor.
We have social workers who are under the employment of the government. It also is a fact in the south that social workers deal with social problems and provide assistance to those in need.
However, the Aboriginal Healing Foundation provided funds to aboriginal people that would be administered by Inuit organizations.
With these funds at their discretion, they looked at the best practices and most effective means of providing programs to deal with these issues.
These organizations know best what kinds of solutions are needed and how best to resolve conflicts.
The programs in Pangnirtung as well as in other communities are well run.
Based on their knowledge of what was required and how best to implement this assistance, this program and others like it have to continue, especially when our government does not have a working foundation or track record as well as the social workers.
With the various birthright and aboriginal organizations that are familiar with Inuit customs and culture running these programs, their contribution has been tremendous to bring greater peace in the future.
The suppressed anger of residential school victims has been passed on to the next generation in virtually all communities.
It seems such healing is taking place.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the mover and the seconder. I would like everyone to know that I will be giving this motion my full support.
I urge the federal government to reconsider reinstating the federal funding.
Even if this does not materialize, I would like them to consider alternative sources of funding.
To the motion. Ms. Aariak.
Hon. Eva Aariak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to support the motion. I also thank the mover and seconder.
The funding from the Aboriginal Healing Foundation has helped many communities in Canada to work towards healthier lives and providing counselling for individuals.
We have also found that there were 12 programs funded in Nunavut through the Aboriginal Healing Foundation.
I have also found that there was $10 million to $12 million that has been accessed by Nunavut communities for counselling and healing purposes.
It is very obvious that in Nunavut, these monies have helped people in the communities tremendously.
I clearly remember when I was in Pangnirtung, my colleague and I got together and I was given a briefing on what they have been doing in Pangnirtung.
This was wonderful to see and they had initiated a lot of programs.
It has helped people who are parents and also their children because they are often affected. They fully included Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit in their programs.
If the federal funding is stopped, these excellent programs will grind to a halt and undo what they have achieved.
The success of these programs is clear and supported by Inuit everywhere in Nunavut.
Under Tamapta, as a government, healthy living is a part of it and working together for the betterment of the people of Nunavut.
With that, I will give my full support to the motion.
I would like to thank the Member for Nanulik for moving the motion.
I would like to also thank the seconder, the Member for Quttiktuq.
Again, I would like to acknowledge our cabinet recognizing the need for healthy living. It is clear that it is a part of the Tamapta document.
I was also sent to a residential school. As was elaborated upon by other members, some of us suffered physical abuse and other abuses.
The children and grandchildren of these victims have also suffered.
When we decided in favour of work for the creation of the Nunavut territory, the issue of a closer, more open government was voiced by many people in Nunavut.
We wanted our government to be closer to the people it serves, to be more responsive to the desires and aspirations of Nunavummiut, and to provide more assistance, primarily in the fields of healthy living and decision-making, and get away from anger and frustration.
We have recognized that here in Nunavut, it’s quite obvious that the residential school experience has impacted many of our residents.
An individual arrived in our community from another community who taught healthy living practices, although we have a counsellor now in our community.
There are increasing numbers of residents taking advantage of this program.
As people have become aware of the services being provided, they are increasingly looking to utilize the program. It seems that the majority of our community is benefiting from this program, Mr. Speaker.
I can speak on this subject endlessly, and a lot of the issues have been eloquently voiced and more will be expressed by other members.
I will just go with the flow, but I wanted it known that I will obviously be supporting this motion.
To the motion. Mr. Kusugak.
I am very pleased that this motion was introduced in the House.
It’s also sad that we have to table such a motion as there was absolutely no need to cut the funding of the Aboriginal Healing Foundation.
Quite a while back, during the time that we were going through the trauma, it was like a little cut at that time, but over the years, it has not healed and has festered instead.
The need for healing will continue for several generations to come.
I can say that I’m proud of the people who are going through the healing process, who have benefited from the funding by the Aboriginal Healing Foundation. There are those who are just getting prepared to go through the healing process or are thinking about it.
Now that the Aboriginal Healing Foundation funding is being snuffed, the federal government will once again force us to seek funding ourselves because they are seeking to cut spending.
As my colleagues say with a great deal of truth, there are a lot of victims of the residential school syndrome.
It is spread among a lot of Nunavut communities and the ripple effect of that trauma will last a long time within Canada. The healing is very much in great need and just as it has started, these cuts will hurt a lot.
Just thinking about the victims that still have to go through the process, there are some people who wouldn’t be able to walk on the path to healing.
With that, I support the motion. I support all aboriginal people who are voicing their concerns about this federal funding for the Aboriginal Healing Foundation.
Only one voice will not be heard by the Government of Canada.
Even as a nation and even if we whisper, the federal government will be able to hear it.
I am proud to say that I support this motion.
I hope the federal government will once again hear the voices of the aboriginal nation of Canada and reinstate the federal funding for the Aboriginal Healing Foundation for many years to come with no strings attached.
Mr. Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank my colleagues on arriving at a consensus on this very important issue.
I would also like to recognize Okalik Eegeesiak, President of the Qikiqtani Inuit Association, and thank her for stating her support for the Aboriginal Healing Foundation funding.
As a government, we had made these monies available to be used at the discretion of the entities which are providing the healing programs.
The healing process is not easy because each of us is unique and we have different needs for healing, but we also need support for the victims to provide them with adequate services.
We must also remember that they didn’t choose to live as victims, to be taken away from their parents. It wasn’t their will to go through the residential school system that was operated by the federal government.
It’s not their fault that they are going through what they are today, when children are left with such a terrible legacy.
As a father, it hurts.
We have to remember those individuals who have not overcome the trauma they had experienced.
Hearing about these healing programs, we have to look at what is hurting them because those programs are free. Our life is very short and we all want to have a healthy lifestyle.
We do get hurt at times, but we have to go through the healing process in order to get back on our feet.
So I would like to give further support to the residential school victims.
I would also urge the federal government that initiated the whole syndrome to provide the support because it’s part of one of their programs.
Yes, they have to listen to the people who they represent and to reinstate the federal funding for the Aboriginal Healing Foundation.
With that, I will be giving my full support to this motion and to work together with the people of Nunavut to go through the healing process.
I rise also to acknowledge the many people who have contributed, firstly our Premier, who wrote a letter to the Prime Minister immediately upon hearing this issue.
However, in Rankin Inlet, which forms my constituency, we have the Pulaarvik Kablu Friendship Centre and it has assisted many residents of Rankin Inlet through healing programs, including the survivors of the Chesterfield Inlet residential school, and staff have made visits to that community as well.
Furthermore, I want to speak to the many staff members who, through training and experience, are now some of the most capable counsellors we have seen when we have observed their healing programs.
These counsellors are mainly Inuit and by virtue of using their language, they are able to draw out the pain and experiences of the people being counselled.
This is a complex matter and some of them are quite open in telling their stories that many of us would not want to hear about.
These counsellors are quite capable and although they are from another community, they work out of Rankin Inlet.
I wish to acknowledge their contributions and support they provide to our residents.
There is also a healing program situated in Iqaluit, where they go on the land to a remote location so as not to be disturbed.
Many communities also do that in Nunavut, including here in the Baffin region. I would like to extend my immense gratitude to these individuals.
I also wish to thank the associations while they are here and listening to the session. This includes our partners, such as NTI and other organizations, which go to Ottawa to try and get funding for these programs. We are literally at the bottom of the barrel in this day and age.
I also wish to thank the residents of Kivalliq who are part of the KCC, the Kivalliq Chamber of Commerce, which is holding its meetings this week.
I was informed by one of my assistants that a resolution was passed at this meeting to reinstate the federal funding for the Aboriginal Healing Foundation and to Inuit especially.
I do want to thank the KCC for making that resolution at their meeting this week.
I also want to thank the Members of the Legislative Assembly for making comments to the motion. I hope the federal government understands how beneficial the Aboriginal Healing Foundation is because the healing has just begun. I will be in support of this motion.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Curley. To the motion. Mr. Komoartok.
It is now evident where the support is going with this motion. It is evident in Nunavut that this funding has been very beneficial to the communities. It is not just a group in my community.
They know the individuals who need support and help.
There are many issues that I wanted to comment on which have already been stated.
One issue that I want to bring up was that when residential school students went back home, they seemed to be alienated from their parents, especially those who were in residential schools for many years. It was not the case with the short-term residential school students.
When the students finally got home, they lost their culture and ties with their friends and families. I see many members here who have gone through residential schools and some of them had experiences that were worse than others. I had difficulties when I finally got home from residential school.
We had to live in a tent and I understood that I lost ties with my parents. I had to move out of my parents’ house even though I was going through difficult times after going to residential school.
The funding has been very well spent in my community.
They involve everyone from children to mature adults.
This program doesn’t provide benefits to just residential school students; it also benefits the people of Pangnirtung in general. When we were living in outpost camps, we were being moved to the settlements. These individuals have been displaced too.
So we involve those individuals and we involve anyone who wants to participate. Everyone was invited and the committee in Pangnirtung did this voluntarily for six years without ever getting paid a penny. Even so, they were able to operate this program smoothly.