EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
On the first day of the fur show, Mr. Speaker, I addressed a news conference on the topic. “The Importance of Wildlife Use for People on the Land”.
This was followed by an interview on Canadian television and by the American Press.
That evening, more than seven hundred people attended a fashion show and dinner, described as a “Tribute to Nunavut”.
The fashion show featured “The Nunavut Collection,” twenty-three beautiful sealskin coats.
During the show I received a commemorative plaque from the Fur Council of Canada and the North American Fur and Fashion Exposition.
The inscription on the plaque reads, Mr. Speaker: “To the people of Nunavut: Canada’s First Furrier.”
The following day, Mr. Speaker, I was able to speak with children at a school in Montreal, and to explain how Inuit use the seal.
This message was taken to three other schools in the Montreal area.
Later that day my Department sponsored a reception at the fur show, which was attended by more than three hundred people.
I believe, Mr. Speaker, our message is getting through.
At the Montreal show, “The Nunavut Collection” sold out.
I’m told there were many, many orders taken.
Our hunters, our people, were recognized and applauded for the sustainable and humane way we conduct our seal hunt.
Our message is being heard, by more and more people, around the world.
Our Nunavut Sealing Strategy, Mr. Speaker, is making progress.
Mr. Speaker, to continue making progress our government must challenge the current trade restrictions that are imposed in the U.S. through the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
The sealing strategy developed by our department highlights our cultural background, economic opportunities and educational initiatives for both harvester and purchaser.
If I may, Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the staff of the Department of Sustainable Development, and, in particular, the work of Larry Simpson and Ken Toner, who organized our participation at the Montreal show.
Ms. Aaju Peter from Iqaluit made a series of excellent presentations in the Montreal schools.
Monica Ell from “Arctic Creations” was there, also Carlene Arreak, Lucy Idlout, Sylvia Ipirautaq-Cloutier, Eva Sowdluapik, Phannelie Palluq, and Vinnie Karetak modelled sealskin clothing and performed traditional songs and dance.
Mr. Speaker, we have educated many people about the Inuit way of life, but we must continue educating them, in order to bring growth to the sale of our seal skin by-products and help maintain sustainable livelihoods for our people.
Ministers Statements, Minister Havioyak.
Ministers' Statement 10 - 1 (2): Repatriation of Inuit Artifacts to Nunavut
Hon. Donald Havioyak (interpretation): Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to speak on the need to return our artifacts to Nunavut.
Over the last century many anthropologists and explorers visited our country and were amazed by our artifacts.
They took the liberty remove these artifacts, our tools, our clothing, even the bones of our deceased relatives, and bring them back to their homes to studied and displayed.
As a result of these items being taken, Nunavut is empty of our precious properties.
Okakti, the artifacts represent our history, the possessions of our ancestors, they represent the way our great grandfathers and mothers lives.
They represent Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.
With the people who removed them our artifacts have travelled far and wide and have taken their places on display and in storage areas of many Universities and Museums.
Most of these Institutions believe that they came upon these artifacts honestly and feel very possessive of these artifacts.
Most Institutions have preserved these items with great care.
From that point of view, I am proud of the way they been preserved.
But, we need them back.
My Department has been tasked as the guardian of our Inuit Culture and Heritage.
My Department wishes to ensure that the Inuit Culture and Heritage is defended and preserved.
My Department wants to ensure that many of the items that have been removed from our homeland be returned to Nunavut.
In addition, the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre in Yellowknife has many historical pieces and collections in their inventory that belong to Nunavut and are being looked after by the NWT until we, in Nunavut, are able to house them properly.
In order to bring back any artifacts, Nunavut has to have sufficient storage space to locate these items.
The space must allow for the storage, preservation, cataloguing, and eventually the display of these artifacts. The space must allow for Inuit in particular and all residents of Nunavut to explore, to experience and to integrate this representation of history into their lives and awareness.
Mr. Speaker, we need a Heritage Centre in Nunavut!
My Honourable Colleagues, we need your support in pursuing this important initiative.
Our Department is working with Birthright Corporations in Nunavut to promote our objective.
Discussions have started between our Department and with Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, and with Inuit Heritage Trust.
Through Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit we want to promote and reinforce community identity.
We want to work with Inuit Organizations and Nunavut Communities to design the programs that would be housed in this Nunavut Heritage Centre and how we can share these programs throughout our Territory.
Our Partners and I are committed to pursuing the requirement for a central facility which we in Nunavut can gain knowledge from our past and be educated for the future.
Koana, Okakti.
Speaker (interpretation): Minister’s Statements.
Item 2, Minister’s Statements.
I am sorry Item 3, Orders of the Day.
Members Statements, Members Statements.
Members' Statement 25 - 1 (2): Congratulations to Baker Lake Graduates
I would like to take this time today to congratulate a group of high school graduates from Baker Lake.
I think they may be the first high school graduates of Nunavut.
Graduated May 7, 1999 in Baker Lake. Jolene Haqpi, Billy Joe Peryouar, Jeffery Hart, Clara Noah and Sherry Ikutaq.
I would like to praise both the parents and families who worked hard in assisting these graduates.
Speaker: The Legislative Assembly will send a congratulatory letter to those graduates.
(Interpretation) Members Statements.
Members' Statement 26 - 1 (2): Sympathy to Bereaved Family
I would like to take this opportunity to express our sympathy to the family of Jane Aupaluktuk. Her husband Ed Burton had an accident on Saturday and passed away.
We would just like her parents and Jane to know our sympathies are with them.
Yes we will send a letter of sympathy to the family on behalf of the Legislative Assembly.
Thank you Mr. Anawak.
Members' Statements 27 - 1 (2): Appreciation to Constituents and Members
Hon. James Arvaluk (interpretation): Yes thank you Mr. Speaker.
Today I would like to make a statement by way of appreciation to the people who have elected me to this seat from Nanulik.
I was going to say this earlier, but so much has been happening that resulted from our being a new Legislature, and I did not want anybody to miss what I have to say.
I would like to recognize my constituency of Nanulik who have put me into this House, and I am also very thankful that I have been appointed as a Minister of the new Government.
I would also like to say thank you on behalf of my wife Miriam and my children and my twins, because the Coral Harbour people have been very receptive to us for the past thirteen years that we have been living there.
We would like to help the residents of Coral Harbour as much as we can in the coming months.
Members' Statements 28 - 1 (2): Recognition of Elders
I think that I said this earlier during the leaders forum.
I would like to recognize the elders who have been in Ontario.
They have been going to Ontario as invited guests of the Federal Government to talk about Health.
Ruby Ilikituk, Lucy Nimiqtaqtuq, Jimmy Qiqqut and Luke Nuliayok.
The person who is looking after them is Lucy Ameralik.
They were sent to Ontario to represent Nunavut on a Health Conference and some of them were there as first time people going down south.
Speaker (Interpretation): Members statements.
Members' Statement 29 - 1 (2): Sympathy for Bereaved Family
Mr. Iqaqrialu: (Interpretation) Yes thank you Mr. Speaker.
We had a person passed away from an accident from one of my communities.
I will not be announcing the name today but I would like to express my sympathy to the survivors of that accident victim and I hope that the family will receive support.
I would just like to clarify that as you are new members, we have to provide a name for those people who we are paying sympathy to.
When someone has passed away, we hope you will provide us with the name later on.
Members' Statements 30 - 1 (2): Appreciation to Constituents and Youth Council
Hon. Peter Kilabuk (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Speaker.
I would just like to express my appreciation for the people of Pangnirtung who voted me here, especially the youth council in the community.
They presented me with this vest to wear at the Legislature, because of the work that I have been doing for the fur industry.
We are always saying that we are very proud of our young people and want to involve them in our diversity.
I am very proud to be wearing this vest today and that I am able to thank them at this House.
Mr. Iqaqrialu we will also write a letter of sympathy to those people that you mentioned, about the person passing away in one of your communities.
Mr. Kattuk, Members statements Mr. Kattuk.
Members' Statements 31 - 1 (2): Good Luck to Whale Hunters
Mr. Kattuk (interpretation): Yes, thank you Mr. Speaker.
I would like to wish good luck to the whale hunters who are patiently waiting for the whales to migrate through, there they are probably listening to the radio.
I have to travel through Nunavik when I am coming to Iqaluit.
I was told that on April 1, during our celebrations, I was told the Nunavik residents were very proud of us and congratulate us on our Nunavut Day.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Kattuk.
Members' Statements 32 - 1 (2): Appreciation to Constituents, Good Luck in Fishing Derby
I would also like to express my appreciation to my community and to Igloolik for having elected me to this House.
Also, just this past weekend some of my constituents will be having a fishing derby and I would like to pass on to them that they have good luck and that everybody will be safe during these celebrations.
Back to the Orders.
Item four.
Return to Oral Question 1 - 1 (2): Question 3 - 1 (2) Incorporating Inuit Culture into Government
Hon. Donald Havioyak (interpretation): Yes thank you Mr. Speaker.
On May 12, Mr. Kevin O’Brien asked a question about Inuit Qaujimatuqangit.
This member asked me a certain question and this is the answer to the question. (interpretation ends).
Inuit Traditional Knowledge is obviously going to cost a certain amount of money.
First let me say that IQ is the work of various Nunavut partners.
IQ was first discussed during the meeting of the elders that took place in Igloolik in March 1998.
This meeting was sponsored by the Nunavut Social Development Council under the Article 32 in the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement.
Mr. Speaker the Government of Nunavut is a member of the working group committee of the Nunavut Social Development Council.
Our Department was designated as a member of the working group.
Our mandate is to report our findings to the Government of Nunavut on Inuit Qaujimatuqangit.
To date we have been discussing the topic of IQ with other Government Departments within the Government of Nunavut.
Our discussions have been based on the ideas of incorporating IQ into other Departments.
This topic of IQ is going to be a long-term program which will be eventually be utilized by most of the Government Departments in the Government of Nunavut.
It is going to take time, however we are going to have it more understood by the Government personnel through various means of communication.
With respect to the question of funding, I am unable to answer the question until some time when the Legislative Assembly reviews the estimates and approves the Bill.
Item 5, Recognition of visitors in the gallery.
Mr. Puqiqnak (Interpretation): Thank you Mr. Speaker.
I would like to recognize someone from Gjoa Haven, from the Nattilik area from my constituency who is my assistant for Taloyoak, and Gjoa Haven.
Elisabeth, stand up please.
Speaker (interpretation): Welcome to the gallery, welcome to the visitors in the gallery.
I would like to take this opportunity to recognize my wife, Susanna Barnabas who has put up with me for many years.
Visitors in the gallery.
Mr. Speaker I would like to recognize Whit Fraser who is no stranger to the north, as well as the A.D.M. for Health and Social Services, and a constituent Rosemary Cooper, and my Executive Assistant, Ms. Marianne Demmer, a constituent, as well as a well known C.B.C. reporter sitting next to Whit Fraser, Mr. Paul Quassa who was a tireless worker for our Nunavut Land Claim.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Picco.
Recognition of visitors to the gallery.
I would like to recognize a constituent of mine from Baker Lake and also my niece, Rosie Alooq.
Speaker (interpretation): Welcome to the gallery.
I would also like to welcome the rest of you people in the gallery to the Legislative Assembly.
I would like to say that I will be allowing the members to ask any questions that you want to ask.
I will let you know tomorrow if we make any mistakes today.
Oral questions, item 6. Mr. Puqiqnak.
Question 23 - 1 (2): Improving Airline Schedules
I tried to ask a question a couple of days ago to the Minister of Transportation.
I am sure this has been a concern for some time and having come from Kitikmeot, when you are trying to travel to this area, has it been considered by your department whether there should be scheduled flights to this area from Kitikmeot?
There used to be scheduled air transportation but it has been cut off.
To the members' question, I have had discussions, but haven't had a chance yet to meet specifically with people in transportation. We are trying to think of ways and reviewing what we can do to assist the people of the Kitikmeot and Baffin regions to make better connections, but right now I am unable to provide you with any firm plans.
When you are trying to go to the Baffin Region from Keewatin, we have no mode of transportation directly.
Airline travel being the only way to go, you have to go through a roundabout way to get here and airline travel is very expensive.
I think we can look at alternative ways with more direct routes than there is now.
I realize, Minister, that you are new to this as we are, and we expect that you will do something about this in the future.
Speaker (interpretation): Mr. Anawak would you be able to respond to that?
Yes, as I said, we are having preliminary discussions at this time, not just for Kitikmeot and Baffin regions, we are also looking at Keewatin.
We are looking at building a highway to Keewatin and we realize there can be better routing of the airlines either from Repulse Bay or Gjoa Haven to Keewatin and Baffin regions.
I still have to meet with the transportation officials.
Question 24 - 1 (2): Clyde River Power Plant
This is directed to the Minister of NTPC.
There is a concern in Clyde River about NTPC.
I was wondering if Mr. Picco could provide me with a written answer to my question. Thank you.
Speaker (interpretation): Mr. Iqaqrialu, I think you will have to clarify your question as the Minister of NTPC, Mr. Picco, will be unable to answer your question about the letter written from your constituency that you are referring to.
Maybe you can provide more detail.
This is talking about the power plant in my community.
We are supposed to get a new plant with better capacity, I have just heard about it and don't have a copy of the letter.
I wonder if I can be provided with documentation of the plans for the new plant in Clyde River.
Speaker (interpretation): Mr. Picco.
Mr. Speaker, the member has brought the concern to me earlier this week so I would be prepared to do a written explanation of the power corporations' new plant in Clyde and provide it to the member as well as provide it to the Mayor in Clyde for their review.
Mr. Iqaqrialu he will be providing you with a letter about what is happening in Clyde River.
Question 25 - 1 (2): Arena for Kimmirut
This is a question to Minister Anawak.
For a long time the people of Kimmirut have been trying to get an arena, maybe for up to fifteen years.
The community had heard that this arena was going to be built this year, but now we are hearing something else.
I wonder what is happening with that project?
Speaker (interpretation): Mr. Anawak.
Hon. Jack Anawak (interpretation): Yes, I am sorry, he asked me this question a few days ago and I made a mistake when I was responding to that.
I sent a letter to him last week about the proposed arena and I had a meeting with the Mayor and Council recently about that also.
They told me what they want to do and asked if I could help them with that.
I asked them to write a proposal and get a letter of support from the community, so I have already responded to that and we are working on that question.
Question 26 - 1 (2): Regulations on Sale of Country Food
My question will be directed to the Minister of Sustainable Development regarding country food.
I think that there are regulations that would prevent the sale of country food even though they are probably the cheapest way of feeding the people of Nunavut.
Speaker (interpretation): Mr. Kilabuk.
Hon. Peter Kilabuk (interpretation): I am not too clear what the question is, perhaps he could clarify it?
Speaker (interpretation): Mr. Alakannuark, perhaps you could clarify the question?
Mr. Alakannuark (interpretation): We are talking about the country food that can be provided for sale as dried meat, frozen or canned.
There are different ways of preparing country food which could be provided to the people of Nunavut.
I am wondering if that is being considered.
The question the member has asked about, the Nunavut Government, we have some country food available where they have been processed in Nunavut.
We want to see more of that.
One of the examples he used was dried meat, smoked meat or canned food.
We are encouraging the residents of Nunavut to come up with these ideas and to start businesses.
If people want more information about what to do to start these kinds of business, they are welcome to come up to our department.
Second question Mr. Alakannuark.
Mr. Alakannuark (interpretation): Yes thank you very much for answering my question.
Question 27 - 1 (2): Accommodations for Igloolik Doctor
To the Minister of Health & Social Services.
I went with the Minister to Igloolik and when we were there we heard the nursing station is very, very, old.
We also heard the doctor was going there but there is no housing available for the doctor.
Has there been anything done to date in regards to the health centre staff housing?
Mr. Speaker I really enjoyed myself last week visiting Igloolik with the member for Amittuq.
The Mayor and Council held a public meeting and there were many concerns brought forward to me as the Minister of Health and one of those concerns was the accommodation factor for the doctor that is proposed to move to Igloolik.
I took those concerns back, I've written a letter to the department which was forwarded on to the Health Board for review to look at suitable accommodations for the doctor so we can put the doctor in place in Igloolik.
I think this is the first time in the Baffin that we have placed a doctor outside of Iqaluit and it is a model that we want to continue, so we are working on it and perhaps after the session I could meet with the member to inform him of the decisions that are being made and hopefully expedite matters to get the doctor in place for Igloolik and for north Baffin.
Mr. Kattuk.
Question 28 - 1 (2): Airport Heavy Equipment Training Program
Mr. Kattuk (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Speaker.
I have a question for the Minister of Transportation.
This letter is dated May 12 and was written by the Mayor of Sanikiluaq regarding heavy operator trainees and the staff of Public Works.
We were told that this training course was stopped and moved to Baker Lake.
The Mayor of Sanikiluaq and the Hamlet Councillors were concerned that if we are going to stop this training program and move it to Baker Lake, we won't be able to send any of our trainees over there.
Possibly one or two, but not more.
I would like to ask the Minister of Transportation about what has been happening to date.
Mr. Minister.
In regards to the Airports training, it was already based in Baker Lake.
Only afterwards we made a change in the location, we moved back to Baker Lake and there has been a change, maybe I can tell the member that I will get further information on this issue and take it as notice.
Question 29 - 1 (2): Invitation to Pond Inlet for Minister of Education
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Speaker.
I have a question for the Minister of Education.
There was an invitation for the Minister to visit Pond Inlet at the beginning of June.
Did he get that letter?
Minister of Education, Mr. Arvaluk.
Hon. James Arvaluk (interpretation): Yes I did.
Second question Mr. Nutarak.
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Speaker. When will the Minister be coming to Pond Inlet.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Nutarak. Mr. Arvaluk.
At this point we are reviewing what we are going to be doing after this session.
In regards to Education and government planning, we haven't finalized the plans yet.
I do know that there is going to be over seven items that the Pond Inlet DEA's want to deal with following the contents of the Chairpersons' letter.
At this time I cannot respond to your questions as I don't know what our strategies are going to be and where the Department of Education is going to be heading after the session.
I will find out if we are able to go up there afterwards, on June 10.
Speaker (interpretation): Oral Questions.
Question 30 - 1 (2): Gym for Pelly Bay
I would like to ask a question to the Minister of Government Operations.
This is in regards to the school gym.
Are you going to be looking at this concern from Pelly Bay and will there be a gym built this year?
Speaker (interpretation): This is for the Minister of Education, Mr. Arvaluk.
Looking at the budget and the speech that was made by the Finance Minister, the priorities we have placed on these facilities are if there are safety concerns or health risks.
With those priorities in mind and in reference to the members' comments we do not have any plans to build it this year, but it is in the plans, but it is not in the 1999/2000 budget.
Questions, Mr. Alakannuark.
Mr. Alakannuark (interpretation): I should have addressed that to the Minister of Education.
So what year are we looking at building that gym?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Alakannuark. Mr. Arvaluk.
We were slotting it for 1999/2000 but the government has agreed to prioritize existing contracts, ones that have been signed already, those that are health or safety risks.
We have made that decision because of financial restraint and the gym that the member is referring to was slotted for 99/2000 but because it is not a safety or health hazard we have placed it to another year.
I am just following what I have placed in front of me and it is going to be at the discretion of the members here as to whether they are going to approve the budget.
Question 31 - 1 (2): Access Road in Sanikiluaq
Mr. Kattuk (interpretation): I don't just want to focus on Mr. Anawak, however when we first came here I wrote a letter to Mr. Anawak regarding building an access road in Sanikiluaq.
He responded orally and I would like to ask if there is a progress report.
Speaker (interpretation): Before he responds, I would like to let you know that we cannot refer to any member by their first names, please during the formal sessions, refer to each member by their surname.
Hon. Jack Anawak (interpretation): I don't mind at all if you refer to me by my first name, my dad's name is Anawak.
I will make a written response to your question.
Questions, Mr. Irqittuq.
Question 32 - 1 (2): Hall Beach School Addition