EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Letters were written in the 1960s and I have quite a number of letters that I can refer to and we’re not sure exactly where to send them because we’re not sure who is responsible.
During the Government of the Northwest Territories legacy there, they had to build houses and in order to do that they had to relocate the graves.
That was lot number 66 up to lot 71 where they had to exhume the graves and move them to another location in order to build the houses in that particular area.
Some of the documentation makes reference to the Department of National Defence and through my personal knowledge the Department of National Defence was not involved.
I do know that the DEW line facilities were going to be moved there but the Federal Government owned these houses.
Then they were transferred over to Government of the Northwest Territories to be used as public housing.
That’s what I know and yesterday during Question Period the responses I got from the Minister of Health and Social Services more than once responded to my questions regarding the graves.
Mr. Irqittuq (interpretation): Thank you colleagues for giving me this opportunity to conclude my statement.
Yesterday during Question Period, not only yesterday, I've referred to this particular issue and directed my questions in the past to the Premier and more than once the response has been from the Government of Nunavut.
In order to clarify it further, from 1998 I have been putting these documents together and Mr. Evaluardjuk during the GNWT Legislative Assembly referred to this same issue.
The reason I am working on this doggedly is because the people of Hall Beach are getting older and I do know that there are some mistakes in these papers.
It is something that I will keep working on as I have from day one.
The response I've received from the Government of Nunavut has been as follows.
If the government pays those people that were involved they would like to get a matching contribution from the federal government so that they could get a larger settlement.
Since I have become a Member of the Legislative Assembly, I have yet to hear of these people getting paid because it will set a precedent.
From 1998 on we have been trying to resolve this issue.
Those are the points that I wanted to make so that it can be clear.
I will be asking questions about this issue at the appropriate time and I am sure it won't be the last one.
Member’s Statement 454 - 1(5): Setting Foundation for Youth
I would like to talk about a happy event today.
Our future leadership is our youth.
They are youth today but they will be our leaders tomorrow and they must be provided with a safe, happy and healthy environment.
It is their god given right.
Mr. Speaker, we the leaders of today must show an example no less than we expect our leaders of tomorrow to.
We owe it to the people of Nunavut.
We all remember the hard work that paved the way for the creation of Nunavut.
We have seen and heard the dreams and aspirations of the people of Nunavut during the creation of Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker we are entrusted with laying the foundation.
We have yet to complete that foundation.
Let us make the foundation strong but manageable.
What I mean is that we have yet to fill positions in government and build houses to meet the demand of Nunavummiut.
After all Mr. Speaker, our youth of today go through a great deal of effort to learn to ready themselves for tomorrow.
Let us begin by making our youth proud of us today for a better tomorrow.
Member’s Statement 455 - 1(5): AWG Host Society Donation of Tickets to Elders
I myself would like to give you some happy information from my constituents.
We all know the Arctic Winter Games are coming to Iqaluit soon and they will also be held in Greenland.
There has been some planning by the Arctic Winter Games Host Society and there are many people that are getting ready for the Arctic Winter Games.
The Host Society visited the elders in Iqaluit and gave them information and 105 free tickets so the elders could attend the opening ceremonies, the Games and the closing ceremonies.
I would like to thank the Arctic Winter Games Host Society for giving the elders the free tickets.
I would also like to recognize the NTI President Cathy Towtongie for attending the ceremonies that were held yesterday.
Speaker: Thank you, Premier Okalik.
Member’s Statement 456 - 1(5): Tom David Kunilusie
I would like to thank the other members of the Legislature for helping me welcome the people of Pangnirtung yesterday.
I would like the other members to support me in welcoming the newborn, Tom David Kunilusie, who was born yesterday at the hospital here.
The father is David Sowdluapik, who is my wife's brother, and Lucie Ann Kunilusie of Pangnirtung.
The mother and the baby are just fine.
Member’s Statement 457 - 1(5): Non-Support of Bill 21, Supplementary Retiring Allowances
Mr, Speaker, I rise today to address the issue of representation.
Earlier this week, I announced the new way by which my constituents in Iqaluit Centre could contact me with their views on issues that we deal with in the House.
Constituents can visit my website at Nunanet.com or they can email me directly at htootoo@gov.nu.ca.
They can call or fax my constituency office, the number is right in the phone book.
Or they can use the traditional method, Mr. Speaker, of cornering me on the street or anywhere in town and talking to me in person.
Mr. Speaker, Iqaluit Centre residents have been telling me that they want action in this House on such priorities as education, housing, healthcare, and infrastructure.
I believe that my statements and questions over the past two and a half years have reflected their priorities and I have pushed for solutions to deal with the real problems facing all our communities.
Mr. Speaker, I continue to encourage all of my constituents to follow the proceedings here in their Legislative Assembly to let me know, as their representative, what issues they want to see dealt with.
Mr. Speaker, as my esteemed colleague from Qamanittuaq would say, it’s no secret and that’s where it would end, Mr. Speaker, that I don’t support Bill 21, the Supplementary Retiring Allowances Act.
Our vote yesterday in this House makes it very clear to my constituents where I stand on this issue and what I believe should and should not be priorities for us.
I strongly encourage my constituents to contact me with their views on this issue.
Member’s Statement 458 - 1(5): Sanikiluaq Canadian Rangers
I rise today to represent my constituents and congratulate them on the work that they have accomplished.
National Defence usually encourages or directs the Canadian Rangers to travel in certain areas outside the community, and they recently did that.
I would like to congratulate the people of Sanikiluaq.
My nephew, Charlie Takaktak was there with the leaders along with Joanasie Inutaluk, Lucassie Ipaq and Simeonie Qaviq.
There were four of them who went to Inukjuaq which is in Nunavik, and my nephew said they were treated very well by the people of Inukjuaq.
They went by skidoo which was rarely done before and they went to Kuujuarapik, but not too much through Inukjuaq.
I would like to congratulate them for that.
Member’s Statement 459 - 1(5): Commissioner’s Awards Youth Achievement - Kingdon & Kilabuk
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Mr. Tootoo for setting up his web page.
As you know Mr. Speaker, I set up mine in 1997.
I have had success with it although it is difficult at times to keep information very current on it.
So I do want to congratulate Mr. Tootoo on that new tool.
Mr. Speaker, yesterday morning I and some of the members present had the opportunity and the pleasure to attend the award presentations of the Commissioner, the Honourable Peter Irniq.
These awards Mr. Speaker were for two of Iqaluit East’s residents for the Commissioner's Youth Award.
Mr. Speaker, the Commissioner set up the awards almost two years ago and this was the first actual presentation of the Youth Achievement Awards here in Iqaluit since those awards were set up.
Mr. Speaker, Fauna Kingdon and Becky Kilabuk are two excellent representatives of Iqaluit and Nunavut youth and again Mr. Speaker I would like to congratulate both of them for achieving the awards.
Mr. Speaker, I would also encourage members and people across Nunavut to also contact the Honourable Peter Irniq, our Commissioner about nominating and celebrating our youth for the Commissioner's Awards.
I would just like to recognize in the Gallery some representatives of Canadian North. Carmen Loberg, President of Canadian North and Norterra.
Christie Brewster is the Northern Community Relations Advisor.
Pat Lyall, is the Chairperson of Norterra.
We had a very good meeting with this group yesterday and a very good lunch with them.
I would like to recognize a person in the Gallery.
This individual lived in Kugaaruk and worked for the Co-op.
Mary Nirlungayuk.
It is nice to stand up to recognize individuals in the Gallery.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize a person in the Gallery.
I think it was in 1995 when this individual from Taloyoak was the Chairperson of the Kitikmeot Regional Council.
We use to have meetings for hours.
I would also like to recognize a Taloyoak resident, Pat Lyall.
Mr. Speaker, beside Pat Lyall, everyone knows him in the Kitikmeot, perhaps all over the world, when we were at the Regional Council in 1991, he worked very hard for the development of the Co-op and ACL and he’s still a member of ACL today.
He worked very hard for the co-operative movement in the north.
I would like to recognize Bill Lyall, who is the older brother to Pat.
I don’t get many opportunities to recognize people in the gallery, so I would perhaps say at the beginning that when we were growing up this individual grew up with me.
We first started going to school in 1960s.
I went to school with this individual.
We were very happy to get our education so we used to get up very early in the morning so we could go and visit the teacher.
Every morning I would wake the individual up so we could go and see our teacher but I didn’t think he was going to become my brother-in-law.
He is my brother-in-law.
I would like to recognize Lucassie Arangutainnak.
Just to give you a little bit of information before I recognize these individuals.
I would like to recognize the Norterra Group because I have worked with them for quite some time.
If I may, I will tell you a little story.
Pat Lyall and I were in Edmonton, I think it was in 1988, we went from the airport to the hotel, I’m not exactly sure what the name of the hotel was, I think it was called Four Seasons in Edmonton.
I thought the only place that vehicles break down was up north but I didn’t know that other vehicles in southern Canada could break down.
There was a power outage in the hotel where we were staying, there was no water and electricity so we had to temporarily relocate to another hotel.
It was on the news the next day.
I would like to recognize Pat Lyall and the group he's here with today.
I would like to recognize visitors in the gallery, the members of the Arctic Co-operatives Limited.
I used to work for the co-op in Cape Dorset for six years.
Their Chairperson and the President, Bill Lyall, Lucassie Aragutainnak, Qabaroak Qatsiya, Koonoo Tattuinee, Gina Dolphin, Larry Aris, sorry I can't pronounce the last name, Solomon Mickie.
They work very hard to keep ACL together and they also brought their interpreter translator, who is from my home community, she is also part of the crew that works on our Hansard, I would like to recognize Nina Toonoo Manning.
I have an individual that I would like to name in the Gallery.
This person is from my constituency, he is here to visit.
I have a short story to tell.
When we happened to be in the same community at the same time, in those days we were not supposed to shoot a whale when it was very close.
His name is Solomon Mickie.
Mr. Speaker, I'd like to recognize an individual that has already been recognized several times.
I thought the only ones I could recognize were constituents, Mr. Bill Lyall.
I also would like to recognize two former residents of Cambridge Bay.
Behind me is Mr. Nick Carter and from way back in the late 70's, she is with Canadian North now that is Christie Brewster.
Finally Mr. Speaker, a couple more.
I would like to recognize Pat Lyall.
As you know although he doesn't reside in Cambridge Bay, I think he wants to move back there at some point.
We have also with us a lady who used to be the mayor of Deline I believe.
I served with her in various capacities when I was involved with the NWT Association of Municipalities, and that is Gina Dolphin and she works for the Co-op.
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Ng. Item 5.
Mr. Speaker I too would like to take the opportunity to recognize a number of people that have been recognized already.
Representatives from the Arctic Co-ops Limited.
Mr. Speaker some members would know that I had the honour the serving as Director with some of these individuals and it is nice to see some familiar faces.
Mr. Speaker, I won't say old faces but familiar faces.
It would be safer.
Mr. Speaker they are in no particular order.
I hope no one gets offended.
Lucassie Aragutainnak, he is representing the community of Sanikiluaq.
Mary representing the community of Fort Good Hope in the Northwest Territories, Gina Dolphin who is representing Deline from the Northwest Territories.
Mr. Bill Lyall who is from Cambridge Bay who's the President of Arctic Co-operatives and the Co-operative fund.
Solomon Mickie is here from Igloolik.
Qabaroak Qatsiya from Cape Dorset.
A good friend of mine Mr. Speaker and constituent of yours Koonoo Tattuinee from Arviat.
These are the Directors that are here and I also would like to recognize some of the staff.
Mr. Andy Morrison is the Chief Executive Officer for Arctic Co-operatives and Mary Nirlungayuk from here is with them as well.
Mr. Speaker, it is a great pleasure today to welcome to the Gallery a long time resident of the north and well known as a great dart player and now working with ACL.
He is a former neighbour of Mr. Ng I believe, Mr. Nick Carter.
Also Mr. Speaker, I want to make a special note.
I know my mom is watching TV today.
Last night we were talking about an incident that happened this summer, when we went to an abandoned community near our hometown where my mom grew up and it was abandoned since 1942.
A few weeks ago, I received a call from Mr. Bill Lyall and Bill and I had a nice chat.
Bill was down in Newfoundland and lo and behold he asked me about this small out of the way community on the road to Cape McFrancis where there’s an old lighthouse.
Mr. Lyall went to this abandoned community where my mom grew up and I’d like to take this opportunity to welcome Mr. Lyall to the House and hopefully welcome him back to a little community called Piston Cove.
The next time he comes to Newfoundland maybe I’ll have an opportunity to tour him around down there.
I'd like to recognize all the individuals from the Co-operative as well here in the gallery and I would like to thank them for being here.
I would like to thank them for providing a Co-op store in the communities that I am representing.
I’d like to welcome everybody in the Gallery here to the Assembly especially Mr. Tattuinee from my riding.
Question 459 - 1(5): Plans/Update on Women’s Safe Shelter - Local Programs
Just on the same issue that was brought up yesterday with Health and Social Services.
One of my fellow members had a concern about the shelter.
This has been one of the topics all week and it is becoming clear as to how they are making preparations.
I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Health and Social Services in regards what they will be doing to promote or to deal with the concerns we had.
Mr. Speaker, there’s two different types of shelters in Nunavut.
One type is the emergency shelter and that’s where victims of physical abuse as well as in some cases Mr. Speaker, mental abuse and emotional abuse go for rest and care in an emergency situation.
The second type of facility we have Mr. Speaker, is I believe what the member is talking about and that’s the transitional home.
It serves, and we only have one in Nunavut and that’s here in Iqaluit called the Qimaaviik, and that home provides counselling services and a safe place for victims of physical and emotional abuse in those types of relationships.
They will continue Mr. Speaker, to deliver counselling services to the victim.
At the same time Mr. Speaker, as I said earlier over the last couple of days services are available for the abuser at the community level either through social services, through the Department of Health, through the community nurse, through the Community Wellness Worker and in some cases Mr. Speaker, I know of cases where victims have also used and abusers have used the services provided by local church agencies.
So there are several different avenues they are able to access.
I am aware of the resources that are available like the churches and they are not his responsibility.
These churches are not part of the government as they are run independently, but I feel that there are 26 communities in Nunavut and that each community should develop a plan as to how the elders could support individuals with problems. People such as those that have to go to shelters.
My question is what are they going to be doing to develop this in the communities.
Mr. Speaker, in many cases in many of our communities that is happening right now where we have elders’ counselling groups.
For example, Mr. Speaker, I think it’s important to note that if someone is physically abused that is a criminal act and they are charged under the justice system in many cases.
In cases where it has not come to the attention of the authorities, counselling is available Mr. Speaker, through the social workers, through the network of people that we just spoke about.
They access at the community level, elders’ counselling groups, and advice from elders.
Indeed, Mr. Speaker, I know in some cases justices of the peace have indeed asked elders’ groups to sit in and to help with sentencing circles.
That is occurring right now, Mr. Speaker.
At the same time, through the Department of Health & Social Services, under the statutory regulations and everything that is in place, there are processes that have to be followed.
We also do that as due course within the job descriptions of the social workers.
In respect to family counselling, marriage counselling, where there are problems in the relationships, Mr. Speaker, that's where both the man and the woman have to agree to sit down and seek that type of counselling.
Mr. Speaker, those services are also available through the social worker. Thank you.
It is good to see that the communities are working towards this.
I think that in the communities there are women’s committees.
Is there a committee formed by Health & Social Services where women are represented?
At the community level we have, as the member knows, community health committees.
Committees of Council that work on different issues, whether it be family violence issues, whether it be sexually transmitted diseases, teenage pregnancies, and so on.
That type of awareness is taught on a regular basis.
At the same time, the member's specific question is, has the Department of Health & Social Services set up committees specifically at the community level for counselling services?
Mr. Speaker, some communities working together in co-operation with the health committees have done that.
Mr. Speaker, we do have the people at the community level to help facilitate those types of organizations when the need arises.
I asked are there some women that have their own organizations in Nunavut, not in the communities?
Mr. Speaker, I am aware of different groups that work in this area.
For example, I know that in some communities there are the Anglican Church Women's Groups have been available to people who needed counselling and so on.
I also know, Mr. Speaker, that Pauktuutit has done considerable work over the past several years on family violence issues and helping to train members of their group for counselling.
I also should point out, Mr. Speaker, that the Baffin Region Agvik Society, who run the Qimaavik Shelter here, have been developing and delivering programs for women outside of the community of Iqaluit.
For example, they were in Pond Inlet before Christmas delivering programs and training and helping with requests that have come forward.
Mr. Speaker, what we would like to do is to bring forward a program for these types of violence and pre-intervention programs to be put in place on an equal footing with some of the other programs that we are delivering within the Department of Health & Social Services.
Question 460 - 1(5): Police Officers in Grise Fiord
I’d like to direct my question today to the Minister of Justice.
Last year he informed us that the Nunavut Government has increased the funding and that there are going to be 14 new members of the RCMP.
That was good to hear, this has been an issue for many years.
I understand that Nunavut has the smallest percentage of RCMP members in each community, looking at say for example the Yukon, the NWT and Nunavut.
My question is, from my constituency of Grise Fiord, they have been informed that there will now be two police officers going to our community.
When are they going to go there?
Yes, we had talked about this last April and this is going to be happening this coming year in April.
We have already set aside the funding and we are making preparations.
We have no definite time but we’re preparing for it.
Last year the Premier stated that they were in the process of bringing in or hiring new RCMP Officers.
I’d like to know when they will put an RCMP Officer in Grise Fiord.
Is there no housing available or what’s the reason why they’re not bringing them in?
I can say that this year will be the year when you’ll see an RCMP officer being put into that community.
I can't say exactly what date but we are making preparations and we've set aside the funding for April 1st of this year to proceed.
That is what we have approved so far.
However some communities don’t have housing available, but, I can look into this further as to when they might put an RCMP Officer in Grise Fiord.
We are prepared and in full support of having a police officer up in Grise Fiord.
So is there housing available in Grise Fiord for an RCMP Officer.
I am not able to respond to that question now, but they’re in the process of building a detachment and I’ll be able to give the member a response once I’ve determined the answer.
Speaker: Is the minister taking the question as notice.
Mr. Premier, are you taking the question as notice?
Hon. Paul Okalik: On the issue of housing, yes I am.
Question 461 - 1(5): Grave Relocation Workers
During my Members' Statement, I talked about the issue of graves being moved and the response I received from the Social Service’s Minister.
The thing I have been pushing for is for these individuals to be compensated.
My question Mr. Minister is, are there other individuals who are trying to be compensated for other issues.
Mr. Speaker, on this specific issue of the grave relocations in Hall Beach, to the best of my knowledge, the only people I know of have been identified by the Hamlet Council in a letter addressed to me by the member.
I had a private conversation with the people identified in his letter and correspondence to me.
Do I understand clearly that his response is no.
Mr. Speaker, if the member's question was correctly understood the first time by me, it was are there any other people seeking compensation for moving the Hall Beach graves other than the ones that he has identified.
I think I understand that there are no other individuals seeking compensation other than what we have identified.
Is that the case, if that is what his response is, there are no other individuals seeking compensation.
Speaker: Mr. Irqittuq, I believe the minister answered your question.
Mr. Minister do you wish to repeat it?
Mr. Speaker, at any given time with the government there could be people seeking compensation.