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Mr. Speaker, from March 6, today, to the 12th, Susan Aglukark the well-known musician and singer will be travelling to Kivalliq communities to perform her Unsung Heroes tour.
Mr. Speaker, Susan will be spending extra time in each community to speak to young people about suicide prevention.
She will be challenging the youth in the junior high and high school groups to take what she calls the I CAN challenge.
Her approach is to motivate young people who are feeling down or isolated to make a habit of redirecting negative feelings into a simple, positive feeling such as "I CAN", "I can learn to accept myself" and, Mr. Speaker, "I can live".
Ms. Aglukark wants to follow up her face-to-face work with the students by creating a web site where she will communicate regularly with community youth group representatives.
Mr. Speaker, she hopes to maintain a dialogue with them by exchanging questions and comments and helping them continue to work on ways to turn young people away from suicide as a solution to life's problems.
Mr. Speaker, Susan is widely respected for her frank approach to such issues as suicide and abuse in all forms.
It is exciting that Ms. Aglukark will be working with us on suicide prevention by reaching out to youth in such a creative manner.
Mr. Speaker, I am also very pleased to have an opportunity to work with the Kivalliq Inuit Association in this venture.
I look forward to developing more collaborative initiatives between the Department of Health and Social Services and both regional and territorial Inuit organizations.
Mr. Speaker, just as a final note I'd like to add that today Susan is in Rankin Inlet.
Tomorrow, Wednesday, March 7 she is in Baker Lake.
Thursday, March 8 she's in her home community, your community Mr. Speaker, of Arviat.
Friday, March 9, Susan will be in Whale Cove and we'd ask the residents to watch out for her.
Not to be outdone, Mr. Speaker, on Monday, March 12 Susan will also be visiting Coral Harbour and Repulse Bay.
Member's Statement 072 - 1(5): Payment for Grave Workers
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about an issue I have been dealing with since we first became Members of the Legislative Assembly
In the late 1960's or early 1970's there was a relocation of a grave site in my community.
As I said I have been working on the relocation of the gravesites issue since I became a Member of the Legislative Assembly.
I have gone to office of the Minister of the Department of Health and Social Services many times about it.
I wanted to speak today to urge the continuation of work on this issue.
The workers went through a stressful time as some of the graves were very old, some opened and destroyed and some of them were even seeping blood.
They had to use their kamotiks to relocate them to another area, the same kamotiks that they normally use for hunting, to carry the bodies that were open and were spilling onto the kamotiks and onto the ground.
These were the conditions those individuals worked in when they had to relocate the graves.
I have not been able to get satisfactory answers to my questions even though I was told that these individuals would be compensated for the work they did.
I have even contacted them to say they would be getting paid soon but still nothing came through.
Tomorrow I will be directing further questions to the minister on this issue.
Member's Statement 073 - 1(5): Soapstone Carvers
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about the carvers of Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, the carvers of Nunavut work tirelessly, working outdoors in the middle of winter in the extreme cold.
Sometimes they even have caribou parkas and caribou mitts because of the extremity of the cold and they work outdoors even when there is a blizzard or even when it’s raining, using 60-watt bulbs for lighting.
The carvers of Nunavut go through all these hardships to put food on the table and to provide income for their families.
Mr. Speaker, it is especially hard for the carvers in the middle of winter and when they run out of soapstone in the communities, and it is very hard to find soapstone in the middle of winter.
Mr. Speaker, there are very few employment opportunities for example, using my constituency of Uqsuqtuq and Taloyoak for example, there are absolutely no new employment opportunities for the young people and even for the middle age populations.
I urge all levels of the Nunavut Government to recognize the carvers of Nunavut.
We as the government should support economic opportunities for the carvers.
Mr. Speaker, I make this statement because I know exactly where the carvers are coming from.
Mr. Speaker, when I talk about the carvers, I also talk about my two sons who are following in my footsteps.
I’m holding up a page from a show dated June 17th to the 5th of July 2000, which shows the picture of a carving that the three of us made, titled “Father and two sons”.
As a parent, I’m very proud of my two sons, Pala and Takiiju.
When I see my sons and other young people carving, I encourage them to continue and try hard.
For that reason, Mr. Speaker, to all the young carvers I urge you to continue and that you won’t be forgotten by us.
Member's Statement 074 - 1(5): Elders and Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit
Please excuse my voice, it’s bad today.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize and support the elders and youth who go out on the land teaching others about Inuit traditional knowledge.
Mr. Speaker, Nunavut is cold and the land, the sea and the ice are unique from any other area.
It will always be a harsh environment in the winter and we the Inuit have our own way of life.
The language we speak is closely related with the land and nature.
Mr. Speaker, we can use wildlife for survival in Nunavut and although there is very little vegetation, we can use the vegetation that grows in Nunavut, using traditional knowledge.
I am not bragging, but merely indicating the importance of Inuit traditional knowledge.
Mr. Speaker, it is virtually impossible to teach Inuit traditional knowledge in classroom.
One must be on the land; one must feel, see, smell, hear and sometimes suffer a little bit, while learning the ways of the land.
Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will be directing some questions to the Minister of Education or the Minister for Sustainable Development on this matter.
Member's Statement 075 - 1(5): Global Warming Effect on Arenas
Today I stand to talk about the situation with our arenas.
As we discussed earlier in the session and as many of you are aware, our climate and weather is changing.
The changing weather is having a detrimental effect on the use of our arenas.
In the past, we could start playing hockey in October and the ice was still good in April.
The changes to our weather have meant an earlier spring and a later fall or winter.
The effect is not good for our young people.
They don't have places to go.
There are not very many different activities to do in the community.
Sometimes the kids get in conflict with the law when there is nothing to do.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I support the solution of putting artificial ice into the arenas of our communities.
Most of us in this House rely upon nature to do the job and global warming has diminished her ability to do the job.
Mr. Speaker, I also want to say that it is important that an initiative like this be done in a fair and equitable manner.
It would be difficult to support a situation where only one or two select communities have their needs immediately met without solid guarantees in the House that other communities would have a fair shot at the same assistance.
Mr. Speaker, I received yesterday from my community a copy of a proposal that was made to the Minister of Community Government & Transportation on this issue.
I urge the minister to give the proposal his fullest consideration.
Member's Statement 076 - 1(5): Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Teachings
Mr. Speaker, I will be speaking about using Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit traditional knowledge.
Mr. Speaker, back in 1960's when I was a child I used to see our parents, our fathers, and mothers and other parents who never attended academic schools.
Once they started moving into communities, my parents and other people were able to take part in the construction of the houses, and they were able to work and they were never educated.
We can still use the capabilities of our elders, as our elders did just fine even though they are not formally educated.
They could participate in the production of materials or for construction.
Because of this, we still expect that these people will be given the chance to work.
We are also urging the young people who are in school to continue and further their education Mr. Speaker.
The Nunavut residents especially the elders were very capable in the past and worked without formal training and in payment for their work, they were given tobacco or tea.
That is how they were paid when they were working.
For that reason Mr. Speaker, I urge that the Nunavummiut use their capabilities.
Member's Statement 077 - 1(5): Coral Harbour Caribou Harvest
First of all, I'd like to say how nice it is to see Inuit people working at various levels in the workforce.
Last week, I was in Coral Harbour and I went to tour the caribou meat plant.
I thought I was going to see Inuit people.
However, the rest of the Inuit population had gone somewhere else and I didn't see any Inuit people at the plant.
Sometimes I think we lack confidence as Inuit.
At the caribou meat processing plant, they've processed approximately 3 thousand 800 caribou.
Their contract was amended so they'll be shipping another 800 caribou to Rankin Inlet.
In Coral Harbour, I believe 38 Inuit have received seasonal employment at the plant.
The meat plant has been up and running for 6 years in Coral Harbour.
It was clear operations there are going well.
I would like to congratulate Pootoogoo Adamie, the forewoman at the plant and also Dave Pelling.
The caribou that have been harvested and processed are then sent to Rankin Inlet.
As I have said, 38 local people work there who perhaps otherwise could not find another job for one reason or another.
Although many can't read and write or speak English, it is not a barrier from working at the meat plant.
The meat that goes to Rankin Inlet is sent to the Keewatin meat and fish plant for further processing.
A number of Inuit are also hired there. Mr. Speaker, I would like unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
Proceed, Mr. Anawak.
As I was saying, the meat is also processed in Rankin Inlet and we see the dry meat that is being sold around here, in plastic packaging.
In Coral Harbour there may be only two workers who would be qualified for a number of skilled jobs but the rest of the staff don't speak English and don't speak and write in English, and this too does not pose a barrier.
Therefore, I would like to recognize and congratulate them for not letting their lack of ability to speak in English prevent them from working at the Coral Harbour and Rankin Inlet meat processing plants.
I just wanted to congratulate them Mr. Speaker.
Member's Statement 078 - 1(5): Pangnirtung Fishermen Return
In the last two weeks, there have been strong winds in the Pangnirtung Fiord and the fisheries lost a lot of equipment.
As a matter of fact, Mr. Speaker, from Monday through to Friday four fishermen have lost their equipment.
They had two way radio and were able to communicate with Pangnirtung people.
On Friday, these fishermen were able to get to land after going through a lot of difficult travelling conditions and through ice that was constantly moving.
With great effort, they were able to return to their families safely.
They are Davidee Evic, Levi Qullualik, Davidee Nowyuk, and Johnnylee Akpalialuk.
I'd like to ask the Assembly to join me in expressing our appreciation for these four people being able to get home to their families safely.
Member's Statement 079 - 1(5): Appreciation for Unsung Heroes Tour
Today I rise to extend my appreciation to my colleague Ed Picco for his statement about working with the Keewatin Inuit Association and having the Unsung Heroes Tour to the Kivalliq area by Susan Aglukark.
I appreciate the fact that they will be going to visit the communities and especially my constituent community of Whale Cove.
I'd like to thank them, especially Susan Aglukark, for visiting and speaking to the young people in Kivalliq.
I'd like to tell the young people who will be participating in this forum to be very open.
I know that they will have a lot to say on suicide prevention and the difficult issues that face them.
It is a big challenge today as a parent, due to problems like suicide.
We must pull together to deal with these things in our communities.
We all have to join together to solve this problem of suicide.
As parents, we're very concerned for our young people and for their safety and also knowing there are drugs and alcohol available to young people who are very vulnerable to them.
The pushers know that even though these things are very expensive, people are able to buy them.
These are some issues that are very much of concern to parents.
Even though we love our young people very much, it becomes very difficult to know who to turn to for help.
I know that young people are concerned about these issues also and they believe in the same idea.
If we can find something to help them out with, as a government as well as parents, we must carry through with these solutions.
I'd like to thank the minister for this initiative.
Member's Statement 080 - 1(5): MLAs vs. Junior Girls Hockey Game
Now I’m feeling much better after having sore muscles from the hockey game with my fellow MLAs.
I enjoyed the game that we played and I would like to thank the junior girls hockey players in Iqaluit and the members that participated.
There was also a trade show here this weekend.
I enjoyed going over to the exhibits and thank them for the good show held in my riding.
However, I also participated in the auction and I was auctioned off.
It was very embarrassing for me to be auctioned off so I don’t want to do that again next year.
Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure today to welcome to the gallery a person who's come from a long, long way, a long distance, Mr. John Lincoln.
John is from the University of Northumbria, which is located in England.
John is here doing an Inuit Health Study project for his degree at the University of Northumbria in England.
Sitting next to him is Marianne Demmer, a well-known resident of Apex.
Also in the gallery on my immediate left or immediate right Mr. Speaker, is Mr. Andrew Tagak a well known resident of Iqaluit and a good friend of mine.
I’d like to take this opportunity to welcome them to the gallery.
I want to recognize from Cambridge Bay, my relative, my cousin Joanne Hikhik Hamanik.
I'd like to recognize a colleague before I was elected, Sarah Flynn of Arviat.
Speaker: I'd also like to recognize Sarah as she is from my home community of Arviat.
Welcome to the gallery, Sarah.
I think everyone in Nunavut knows this gentleman.
I knew him from my community and he is also my relative.
On one of the favourite issues in Nunavut, when we were working on housing issues he worked for the Housing Corporation and assisted us tremendously.
I'd like to welcome him to the Legislature.
Even though my colleagues already recognized her, I'd like to recognize Sarah Tinashlu Flynn.
I sound like an elder today.
When we were starting to do negotiations for the land claim in Ottawa she used to baby-sit for my children and ever since she's always been working hard.
I also want to recognize a former classmate, Andrew Tagak.
Hon. Jack Anawak (interpretation): I also wanted to recognize Sarah Flynn.
She is also from Repulse Bay and I grew up with her there.
I know she is a very capable person and I welcome her to the Legislative Assembly.
Mr. Speaker, I'd also like to recognize Sarah Flynn.
When we were making motions and recommendations on the housing task force, she did a lot of the work.
I believe she would be well qualified to teach others in a university setting.
When we were starting to organize our government in Nunavut, one of our first jobs was to deal with housing and it was a very well organized task force.
This lady Sarah worked on that task force, she is from Arviat.
I’d like to thank her and welcome her to the Legislative Assembly.
Question 071 - 1(5): Training & Income Support Clients
Firstly, I'd like to express my appreciation to Minister Akesuk regarding the Nunavut Job Corps statement that he made earlier.
I also want to thank Minister Kilabuk for initiating this and I am glad to see that this is going ahead.
I'd like to ask the Minister responsible for income support a question.
Will the different departments that deal with employment and income, for example the Health & Social Services department and the Department of Sustainable Development, will they be contributing funds to the Job Corps to ensure that it is successful.
Speaker: Minister responsible for income support.
We have been working together on this and it is going very well.
It is successful because we are working together.
Mr. Speaker, I'd like to note that before April 1, 1999, under the Government of the Northwest Territories, this program was discontinued.
The job creation program was taken out and money was not put into to that program even after Nunavut was formed.
We are reviewing this program and we looked at ways that we could create more jobs.
We're working with other departments and we'll work very hard for this to be successful.
I believe that it was called the social assistance recipient program, where they would be given training.
For the young people that are still living with their parents who don't have jobs, will they be eligible for this.
For the students that are in school, if the school agrees we can include them.
As you know, they can receive income support also.
They can also receive support under Kakivak.
In some communities, when a community is not informed about a program, sometimes the programs just go on without some communities benefiting from them.
Once the program can go ahead, will all the hamlets and the DEAs be informed. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
It is very important that we work together and we will correspond with affected organizations, so I will instruct my staff to make sure the organizations know about this.
That is, if it has not been done already.
My last supplementary, when does the minister think this program will go ahead.
Is it before or after the new fiscal year, when does he think this program will go ahead.
There are two areas, two groups that can receive this program, there's the income support recipients and there are also the students.
We will provide the information in April as to when they can start.
Question 072 - 1(3): Staff Housing at Kugluktuk
(interpretation) On Friday I questioned him about staffing the Kugluktuk regional office and he mentioned the Assistant Deputy Minister position and 14 positions, seven of which will be from Kugluktuk. I am wondering if he's aware whether there will be enough staff housing in Kugluktuk.
Mr. Speaker, this summer I had an opportunity to be in Kugluktuk with the member.
We had an opportunity actually to go through some of the staff housing units.
To the best of my recollection Mr. Speaker, the information that has been provided to me, my understanding is that there is sufficient housing for those hires in Kugluktuk.
I remember the visit to the region this summer.
Yesterday, I someone mentioned that there would not be enough staff housing.
I don't want this to be a difficulty for those staff in Kugluktuk.
They felt there might not be adequate housing in terms of numbers.
Is the minister aware whether there will be enough housing.
That's the reason why I brought this up.
Mr. Speaker, the Assistant Deputy Minister for Health, Dr. Keith Best is in Iqaluit right now.
I'm meeting with him this afternoon so I will speak to him and clarify the housing situation.
On the other hand, Mr. Speaker, the Premier who is responsible for the decentralization secretariat may have some information that he could share with us today.
So maybe Mr. Speaker, the Premier may want to weigh in on this because it is a decentralization issue on the housing.
Yes, I know that in Kugluktuk the Departments of Community Government, Health, Culture, Language, Elders & Youth will be moving there.
Will the staff housing be inadequate.
That's the reason why I brought this concern up.
Maybe the Minister responsible for Decentralization can explain further so that it becomes clear.
When I was in Kugluktuk, just over a year ago, they were explaining why the units were empty and that they wanted those units filled.
Now we are going to encounter a problem, the opposite problem of having not enough units, perhaps.
So, I believe we are doing quite well in decentralization and if there's additional units that we may require, we're looking at that as I stated earlier and we'll continue to do that.
We're monitoring every community.
Kugluktuk's not the only one that we're decentralizing to and we'll have to see how many units are required for each community.
I'm happy to hear that the Premier is very happy, it's very encouraging.
I just want both the minister and the Premier to be aware that we need these housing units to have the decentralization be more effective.
Speaker: There was no question just a comment.
Question 073 - 1(5): Income Support Clients & Fuel Subsidies
Mr. Speaker, I have a question for the Minister of Housing and Petroleum Products.
Last week, the minister made a statement about a fuel subsidy for homeowners and I was pleased to hear that.
Numbers on how many people own homes were included in that announcement.
A question was raised in my community while I was on the local radio station as to how homeowners will receive that subsidy.
There are some homeowners who receive income support from social services when they are out of a job, including assistance for fuel.
Since they are subsidized under income support, I'd like to know how this would work with homeowners who are on social assistance.
The forms are available in the communities at local housing association offices.
It says on the forms that elders or social assistance recipients are already given assistance for fuel.
If such an individual has to pay for fuel, they are given assistance for seven months of the year.
Those individuals could get help to fill out separate forms, and the income support department would pay them.
I think this question has to be dealt with quite fast; it is an emergency situation because of the winter.
Can the minister provide us with the applications so that Members of the Legislative Assembly could take a look at the form.
There was a trade show held recently and there were some businesses and government departments that were there to show off their products and services.
We had a copy of the application form at our table.
I suppose some of the members didn't see the form.
I can provide a copy of the application form to the Members of this House.
Question 074 - 1(5): Alcohol & Drug Treatment Centre
My question is directed to the Minister of Health & Social Services. What plans does your department have, after they closed the Inusiqsiuqvik Treatment Centre in Apex.
What are the plans for helping those that want to deal with their addictions.
Mr. Speaker, that question has come up in the past, since April 1st, since we became an Assembly.
As the members know, the drug and alcohol treatment centre was closed in Apex by the Baffin Regional Health and Social Services Board in 1998 before the Nunavut Government began.
Indeed, Mr. Speaker, every drug and alcohol treatment program in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut was closed at the same time, indeed as in northern British Columbia.
Mr. Speaker, the Department of Health and Social Services, as I said in this House, is trying to build a local capacity at the community level so that when people have concerns with alcohol and drug treatment, and we’re talking about Mr. Speaker, people who have an addiction, people who have a need for that type of treatment.
Mr. Speaker, the program that was being run in Apex, the Health Board at that time, closed it down as the expenses at that centre were 750 thousand dollars, three quarters of a million dollars.