EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
During the past twelve months our government has been diligently involved in building the Territory envisioned by Nunavummiut.
We have asked their opinions and they have answered whole heartily.
We welcome this feedback as this is their government.
As a new Territory we need strong allies.
We have begun a strong relationship with Greenland, our closest International neighbour.
As I mentioned earlier, we need to recognise that we need strong allies as we build a stronger Nunavut.
We have signed an agreement with Manitoba our largest trading partner to work together for the benefit of both our jurisdictions.
We have met with our territorial counterparts in the west from the Yukon and the Northwest Territories to form a Northern Leaders Forum in part to strengthen our position on issues of common interest.
Through this relationships our voice will grow ever stronger as we stand to claim our share as member of the Canadian Federation.
We have been very busy outside our boarders.
We have been even busier inside them.
(interpretation ends) Our progress has continue to grow since last year when we began with the staffing compliment of 25 percent throughout government and that number now exceeds 75 percent of our total staffing capacity.
Despite the challenges we face we made a smooth transition from the former government - truly a remarkable accomplishment and one that reflects highly with the staff we have.
We established a Decentralization Secretariat. A reflection of our commitment to decentralise government so Nunavummiut benefit from employment and economic opportunity across Nunavut.
After listening to the priorities of Nunavut we developed the Bathurst Mandate which will guide us in our work. (interpretation) Through Maligarnik Qimirqujiit we have begun reviewing the laws we inherited from the former government to ensure that they reflect values and needs of Nunavummiut.
We launched the visual identity program which became the symbol that identifies Nunavut within Canada and throughout the world while at the same time promoting the talent and vision of our artists.
As our territory continues to grow, we want to ensure the businesses are able to take advantages of Nunavut’s growth and development.
Through this our government after consultation with the business community and with the aid of Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated introduced a new business incentive policy that is reflective of the spirit and intent of article 24 of the Nunavut Land Claims agreement. Nunavummi Nangminiqaqtunik Ikajuuti.
(interpretation ends) The government of Nunavut is proceeding with its work and will continue to be guided in the decision making by the Bathurst Mandate.
There were exciting initiatives announced by my colleague the Honourable Kelvin Ng in his past budget address before the Assembly last week.
These initiatives will have our communities grow strong.
Our government is committed to moving towards healthy communities and simplicity and unity in government, self-reliance for Nunavummiut and continued learning.
We hope to provide infrastructure and human resource to allow each and everyone to reach his or her potential.
(interpretation) April 1, 1999 wasn’t the end of a dream.
It was the beginning of a new dream a new journey and new challenge.
Many thought Nunavut was unachievable; we proved them wrong.
(interpretation ends) We should always remember though through their diligence and with so much commitment through many years leading to the creation of Nunavut.
Without their vision and dedication we would not have been able to achieve what we have.
Our hopes and desire for Nunavut are also not a dream: they are achievable.
We want a Nunavut;
where people can achieve their potential,
where strong links exist between communities and southern Canada,
where health and social conditions are equal to those enjoyed by other Canadians,
where equal opportunities exists for everyone,
where Nunavut enjoys growing prosperity while remaining debt free.
(interpretation) These are some of the goals for the future.
They are realistic and they are achievable.
We are building a stronger Nunavut and I welcome everyone who wants to grab hold and be a part of our journey for our future.
>>Applause  Speaker: Thank you Mr. Okalik.
Before we move on to Item 3, I would like to take this opportunity to thank one of our Pages.
Anna Stenton was with us since Monday.
Anna is a student in Inukshuk high school in Iqaluit.
Today is Anna’s last day we wish her well in her studies.
Speaker: Item 3 Members’ Statements. Mr. Tootoo.
Member’s Statement 240 - 1(3): Appreciation to Interpreters
Merci, Nakurmik, Qujarnamii, Ma’na, donka, gracias, arigato.
Mr. Speaker I would like today to talk about language in this House and the wonderful work our interpreters and our translators do.
Mr. Speaker, this Legislative Assembly is about one of three Canadian Legislatures that works with more than one language on a daily basis.
This in itself is a reflection of the uniqueness of Nunavut as a whole.
When we are in session five days a week, 6 plus hours a day our interpreters work tremendously hard to ensure all honourable members understand one another
Even if we do not always agree with each other, Mr. Speaker, the right of members to use the language of their choice is fundamental.
To enjoy this right the professionalism and dedication of our interpreters are invaluable.
Mr. Speaker, all members of this House care passionately about the issues affecting their communities.
That is why debate gets so heated.
This is not a bad thing.
Mr. Speaker it is not appropriate for any member to dismiss differences of opinion or difficult issues blaming miscommunication or lack of understanding.
The issues we deal with are complex, challenging and require patience.
It is the responsibility of each and everyone to choose our words well to ensure we are making the best effort possible to make ourselves understood.
That is our responsibility.
Speaker: Members’ Statements.
Member’s Statement 241 - 1(3): Nunavut’s First Anniversary
I rise today with great pleasure to make my statement in the company of my fellow members to mark the first anniversary of the Nunavut Government tomorrow.
It is evident that the Inuit are governing themselves now and making the decisions for the people.
The decisions that we make today are going to have an impact on our children and our future generations.
I consider myself very privileged to be a part of this process.
At times there will be challenges but that should never discourage us.
That is the only way we can keep things going.
I would like to thank this opportunity to thank our staff who have been working very hard to make this a reality.
I would like to especially to take this opportunity to thank the people who have worked very hard in creating the Nunavut Government.
In particular John Amagoalik and Paul Quassa.
I know there are other people involved but I can not name them all right now.
I thank them all for making Nunavut a reality and for the hard work they have done.
Speaker: Members Statements. Mr. Puqiqnak.
Member’s Statement 242 - 1(3): Evangelists Visit to Taloyoak
Mr. Puqiqnak (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Speaker I rise today to speak about Taloyoak in my riding of Nattilik.
Yesterday they had some evangelists visit the community.
The visitors chartered in their own plane and I understand they will be there for another day.
Mr. Speaker there are different organizations that promote community well being.
When they come to our communities we welcome them even if we do not participate in the actual event.
I expect that they will add to a sense of community well being.
In our past, our ancestors did not practise organized religion within Nunavut.
Although this is not part of our traditional culture, it is common now to accept Christianity within our communities.
It a very useful belief system because they help us to deal with our hard times.
We can discuss things that are heavy for us through our faith.
We should always encourage evangelists to visit our communities.
I hope our Nunavut Government will encourage visitors such as these.
Mr. Speaker: Members statement Mr. Iqaqrialu.
Member’s Statement 243 - 1(3): Tribute to Elder Iqaqrialu
Yesterday I made a statement regarding I was talking about our identification discs.
Today being another day I would like to talk about when I was a young boy my father raised me and taught me how to hunt so I can sustain my life and my family.
This was very important for me when I was growing up as I depended on my father for everything.
His name was Iqaqrialu and when the people came to change the surnames I appreciated it at the time and I indicated that I wanted to retain my father’s last name which was Iqaqrialu.
To date this is very important for my identity and recently just last fall my father passed away.
Just before he passed away I had a good talk with him and although he is not with me today, I appreciate that fact our MP for Nunavut, Nancy Lindell was able to visit my community and really appreciated her visit during that time.
I was with my father at his deathbed and he encouraged me to go forward with my work.
Although we have had deal with a lot to things all at one time.
Mr. Speaker I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
Speaker: Mr. Iqaqrialu is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement.
I just wanted to indicate that I have been receiving a lot of support from my fellow members the past few weeks when my father-in-law also passed away and he has always been supportive of me during his lifetime.
For that I would like to express my gratitude to all my supporters because this has really encouraged me to work harder in the House.
I would like to state also Mr. Speaker that name is Iqaqrialu and everybody calls me Iqaqrialu.
Member’s Statement 244 - 1(3): Tribute to Tagak Curley and other Leaders
When we talk about surnames I recall Elijah Manirajak, Ipleelie Kilabuk who unfortunately just recently passed away, there was James Arvaluk, Meeka Kilabuk, Eric Tagoona, Michael Amarok, Peter Ittinuar, Joanasie Salomonie, Jackie Napayok, and Mark Evaluarjuk.
These people were heavily involved in the Creation of Nunavut.
But today I just wanted to mention in particular those who worked really hard and also the first President of Inuit Tapirisat of Canada, who has also been a member of the NWT legislature.
He was also one of the cabinet ministers of the NWT.
He exposed Nunatsiaq to the world when he was at Expo in 1986, and is the President of the Nunavut Construction Corporation.
He has worked diligently and looking at his success today, he has worked in everything that we have tried to construct within Nunavut.
He has lived in Rankin Inlet and Coral Harbour.
I would like to recognize Tagak Curley today because he was one the prominent leaders who created Nunavut.
I think the people Nunavut should appreciate the hard work he has done and recognize what he has achieved.
Again, I just want to indicate that Tagak Curley should be recognized as one of our prominent leaders all across Nunavut.
Member’s Statement 245 - 1(3): Tribute to Ludy Pudluk
I would like to recognize an individual who worked for 21 years.
Right from the start he was involved in Inuit politics.
I would like to pay tribute to Ludy Pudluk who has been one of the prominent leaders in the creation of our government.
He was the longest serving member of the NWT Legislature.
Over the years I have grown to respect Mr. Pudluk and I wanted to recognize him for his hard work.
Speaker: Members’ Statements Mr. Kattuk.
Member’s Statement 246 - 1(3): Sanikiluaq Handicraft Products
Today this morning I rise to recognise artists from my constituency.
As we can see out in the hall there are many Inuit weaving displays and I was very proud to see that some members of my constituents were involved in weaving.
I am very proud to say that their crafts are being displayed in that great hall there and if you would like to purchase any of those items you can contact my office.
Member’s Statement 247 – 1(3): Appreciation of Interpreters, Members & Assembly Staff
Just hang on a sec. I too would like to take the opportunity to thank the interpreters for their hard work.
I do know Mr. Speaker, that Inuktitut speakers, sometimes it is very hard to try to put them into English when we speak in Inuktitut and I appreciate their hard work.
I am also smiling at my parents my mother and father, if they can see me through the TV.
Today being Friday and tomorrow, we will have our one-year anniversary as the Government of Nunavut.
Sorry I have to clear my voice.
Last year when we became Members of the Legislative Assembly and when we were making our speeches my hair at the time was black, but within a year I have salt and pepper hair now.
Although I am one of the youngest Ministers I have one of the harder departments to deal with and I wanted to say that within one year I have grey hair now and I want people to appreciate the hard work that I have done.
John Quirke and I are the youngest staff but within a year we have grey hair and Mr. Alakannuark was one of the harder working members and look at Mr. Arvaluk he's losing his hair now too.
I just wanted to thank all the Members and all the staff for having supported me, it has been a very difficult year.
>>Laughter, Applause
Speaker: Member’s Statements. Mr. Irqittuq.
Member’s Statement 248 – 1(3): Anniversary of Nunavut
I rise today also in recognition of our first anniversary which will be tomorrow.
I am very proud of the work that we have done while representing my communities of Hall Beach and Igloolik.
I too, like Olayuk Akesuk this is my very first term as a Member, just like the Member for Cape Dorset and Kimmirut and I do appreciate the support I have been receiving.
This is the very first Government of Nunavut and I think we have come a long way in a year and I think we should appreciate everyone that has worked for us.
Namely, my grandson, I would like to mention his name because he is looking up to me, me being his grandfather and I would like to encourage him to work hard in his growing years.
Member’s Statement 249 – 1(3): A Shining Light
Today being Friday, March 31, 2000, there is not going to be a last day of March 31 again until next year.
When Ovide made a Members statement, when I looked at him some of his hair were shining from the lights although he sat down I guess his hair shone again.
Speaker: Member's statements.
Member’s Statement 250 – 1(3): Appreciation of Nunavut
It was not too long ago it seems like that we had debates amongst ourselves and with the help of Tagak Curley we negotiated with the Federal Government in regards to our land claims to see how we could be more independent and have our own government.
But now, today, is the first anniversary and I would like to congratulate what Jack Anawak mentioned, the names Jack Anawak mentioned earlier.
When we had our negotiations it seemed that it was a long time ago but it was not too long ago.
We were able to get some funding from the federal government at the time when Hugh Faulkner was the Minister to get some funding for negotiations.
Like Hugh Faulkner when I saw him on TV. he has changed greatly although I do not seem to have changed as much as him.
Because the first anniversary of our government will be tomorrow, I was very surprised this morning, I am sorry I was late this morning, but I was with the Governor General at Aqsaarnit school to accompany her during her visit to the school.
I remember years ago when I first started to go to school we were asked to talk in English all the time, not in Inuktitut.
We could not take the Inuktitut curriculum because we were not allowed to.
It was very surprising when my name was mentioned at the beginning and they introduced me as the Minister of Education and there was this choir, the choir sang songs in Inuktitut and they had traditional drum dancing and that was very touching.
Member’s Statement 251 – 1(3): Nunavut Anniversary & Toonik Tyme
I would also like to recognize the anniversary of our new government.
We will be having Toonik Tyme activities starting with the bingo tonight and other activities in the days to come.
You will all be able to attend Toonik Tyme activities during the day and night and I would like everybody to feel free to attend all the festivities that are going to be happening within in the upcoming days.
So, I would like to thank Canadian Airlines for sponsoring us and we have a representative that is here, Eva Onalik, and I would like to extend an invitation to everyone to attend the festivities.
Moving on to Members' Statements.
Member’s Statement 252 – 1(3): Appreciation of Assembly Staff
Mr. Akesuk (interpretation): I rise today to thank John Quirke and the staff of the Legislative Assembly.
They have been working very hard in the year that we have been Members of the Legislative Assembly and I would like to give them my appreciation and I know that the job that they are doing is running smoothly and I would like to say job well done.
Sometimes some of us Members who are new tend to make mistakes in the House, so they are able to correct our mistakes and sometimes we have argued amongst each other but usually everything goes well.
Moving onto Item 4, Returns to Oral Questions.
Just before we start, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize our Member of Parliament also one of my constituents Nancy Karetak-Lindell.
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Mr. Barnabas.
Mr. Speaker I would like to recognize Peter Kaludjuak who is a resident of Clyde River.
First, I would like to say that it is good that it's Friday.
Manitok forgot to mention the colour of my hair as well.
First of all I would like to thank all my constituents for putting me into the Legislature and now that I am celebrating the first anniversary of our being elected I would like to recognize in the gallery first of all my wife Rosie, and right beside her is my daughter Lynn from Pangnirtung.
As well in the gallery too, I rise today as if I was to pay all my debts as a Minister and as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut I have been reminded many times that I would like to give my appreciation to my parents.
When you have support from your parents it makes your job a lot easier and when you have a close-knit family it makes it a lot easier for us to continue with our jobs in a much easier setting.
When I was a child my parents must have thought that I was such an energetic child that I would not be able to make it to the position I am in today.
My mother is here with us today and I would like to give my appreciation to her for taking care of me and making me what I am today.
I would like to recognize my mother to stand up.
She is from Pangnirtung but she is here today, my mother.
I would like to recognize my employee and that individual has been working very hard for me Phil Bourdeau sitting over there he has supported me and assisted me in a very good way in the year that I have been a Member and Minister.
Mr. Havioyak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I recognized Mayor Taptuna yesterday and today I would like to recognize one of the councillors from Kugluktuk, and he's also the local Anglican minister in the community of Kugluktuk, Sam Kikpak.
Mr. Speaker I would like to recognize in the gallery, my brother in-law Peter he is in the gallery.
Levi already recognized him but I would like to as well.
From Qikiqtarjuak an Elder who has supported me throughout my membership at the Legislature even though I did not mention his name I would like him to stand up.
I would like to welcome them to the House. I would also like to welcome the kids that are just coming in, and make them feel welcome in the House.
Perhaps they do not really understand the debates that we are holding right now but perhaps when they grow up they will remember some of the stuff that we are saying.
I would like to welcome the children that are here and the people that take care of them in the gallery.
I would like to appreciate all the people in the gallery for coming to see us.
Mr. Speaker my honourable colleague Peter Kilabuk in his haste and excitement because his family is here, his mother is here, forgot to mention her name.
So on his behalf I would like to again recognize Mrs. Annie Kilabuk.
Speaker: Thank you Mr. Ng. Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery.
My list just got longer Mr. Speaker.
I would like to start with recognizing all the very dedicated hard working day-care employees that are here in the gallery today and I would also like to recognize the children that they brought with them.
I appreciate the fact that you see the signs they are wearing, they are our future.
So I would like to recognize them and thank them for coming today.
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to recognize a good friend of mine, who must have just stepped out I guess, sorry Mr. Speaker, because I was going to recognize our MP Nancy Karetak-Lindell.
I had the pleasure of serving with her on the Sport North Board of Directors for a few years.
I would like to say that it was a pleasure serving with her on the Sport North Board and on the community organizations, sport-related organizations in Arviat and I would like to recognize her here.
Also Mr. Speaker I would like to recognize an individual that I mentioned in my Member's statement on Monday.
Mr. Speaker, that individual is here in his capacity at the Department of Education, but I would like to recognize him for something I feel is more important; that this individual is one of the founding members of the Kamatsiaq Crisis Line, Mr. Errol Fletcher.
At the time leading up to April 1 we had to work, of course, with the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs.
I would like to recognize the presence in the gallery of Shirley Sarafini who is the Deputy Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs, Jim Moore, who is the assistant Deputy Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs and Wilf Atwood.
We have had to work with these people during the lead up to April 1, 1999 and we will continue to work with them.
Qujannamiik, thank you.
I would like to recognize the interpreters especially one of them that happens to be my niece.
I call her my illuannuk, but my illuannuks are becoming more and more numerous because the interpreters have resorted to calling me illuanuk and even Olayuk is trying to have illuanuks now.
So, I would like to recognize the interpreters could you stand up illuanuk so everybody can see you.
That's my illuanuk Mary Nashook.
Speaker: Since all the Members are finished I would just like to recognize somebody in the gallery, it's a gentleman I grew up with from my home town of Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, went to school with, Mr. Wilf Atwood who is the regional director of Indian and Northern Affairs.
Wilf.
Moving onto Item 6. Oral questions. Oral questions.
Question 349 – 1(3): Review of Nunavut Day-Care Centres
Mr. Speaker my question is for the Minister responsible for Education.
Mr. Speaker I was pleased to see a couple of days ago, March 28, the news release by his department regarding the review that's being done on the Nunavut day-cares.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister if this is the same review that was talked about at the beginning of the month in the media.
Hon. James Arvaluk: Yes, Mr. Speaker, we have, we want to just very quickly get it done by April 30.
Yes, I guess it is the same review that was discussed at the beginning of the month Mr. Speaker.
Maybe I'll just ask the Minister why the press release didn't come out until the end of the month.
Speaker: Minister for Education.
We wanted to have the terms of reference fine-tuned so that we will not just be looking at broad issues and not come up with just anything, we wanted to do specific things.
For example, we need to look at long-term solutions especially in this situation in Iqaluit.
I have asked my staff to provide a report with options and recommendations to meet specific day-care needs in Iqaluit.
That's one part and I would also like to see specific recommendations for other day-care centres across Nunavut. So we could not issue anything unless we have some specific idea on how we wanted to do this.