EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Mr. Speaker, every March individuals and organizations across Canada observe National Social Work Month in recognition of the meaningful contributions social workers make to the health, safety, and well-being of their communities.
My department currently has 50 community social service workers in all three regions of Nunavut.
We would like to express our gratitude for their hard work and dedication, and encourage others, especially our youth, to consider a career in this important field.
Mr. Speaker, the work of our community social service workers is guided by Pijitsirniq (serving and providing for family and community), Inuuqatigiitsiarniq (respecting others, relationships and caring for people), and Aajiiqatigiinniq (decision-making through discussion and consensus).
The Department of Family Services has been collaborating with community organizations to develop specific community social service worker training aimed to increase parental engagement and community development work.
Mr. Speaker, National Social Work Month gives us the opportunity to recognize and celebrate our social workers for everything they do throughout the year.
Our social workers work closely with children, youth, and families to support them during difficult situations and to help them to grow and succeed.
On behalf of my department, I would like to extend a huge thank you to our community social service workers.
Minister’s Statement 264 – 4(3): IUT’s Language Assessments (Kuksuk)
Good day and good afternoon, my fellow Nunavummiut and colleagues. Have a good day.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today to announce that Inuit Uqausinginnik Taiguusiliuqtiit will be finalizing the Inuktut language assessment tools in five different dialects by the end of this fiscal year.
The IUT, with the assistance of Pirurvik Centre, created the assessments in Inuinnaqtun, Nattilingmiutitut, Paallirmiutitut, (interpretation) North Baffin, and South Baffin dialects.
(interpretation ends) In the coming weeks between 50 and 60 people of all fluency levels will be tested to pilot the assessments and the final draft will be made available.
These tests will help validate and improve the assessment tools.
Mr. Speaker, my cabinet colleagues and I are committed to continue working with Taiguusiliuqtiit to strengthen and enhance the use of Inuktut and in particular to promote the highest quality of Inuktut usage in our workplaces. (interpretation) Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.
Minister’s Statement 265 – 4(3): Mine Development (Ell-Kanayuk)
Hon. Monica Ell-Kanayuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon, Nunavummiut.
I rise today to report on the success of our growing mining industry.
Mr. Speaker, there are now three mines in operation in Nunavut, one in each region of our territory.
In the Kivalliq, with the approval of the Vault Pit Extension, operations at the Meadowbank gold mine have been extended until early 2019. Agnico Eagle Mines recently announced over $1.2 billion in spending to move forward with the approved Meliadine gold mine north of Rankin Inlet, and with the Whale Tail deposit, which if approved will even further extend the Meadowbank mine life.
In the Qikiqtaaluk iron ore mining commenced at Mary River in 2014, with the first shipment of ore in 2015.
Baffinland is working towards their phase 2 expansion which would almost triple the mine’s output.
(interpretation ends) In the Kitikmeot earlier in February TMAC Resources poured its first gold bar at the Doris North gold mine.
TMAC is also working towards development of the Madrid and Boston deposits located south of Doris North.
These deposits could represent another 20 years of mining jobs in the Kitikmeot.
The opening of three mines over a seven-year period, in which commodity prices have generally been fluctuating, is an impressive achievement.
Mr. Speaker, we are well on our way to building a strong and sustainable mining industry that contributes to a high and sustainable quality of life for all Nunavummiut. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Minister’s Statement 266 – 4(3): Piqqusilirivvik – Enhanced Program with Pan-territorial Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (Quassa)
I rise in the House today to inform my fellow members of the progress and great initiatives that are being taken by Piqqusilirivvik.
The program continues to grow and be refined with every offering.
Students have the opportunity to meet with elders and knowledgeable practitioners.
During this winter/spring term students will participate in a range of activities, including the opportunity to learn traditional drum dancing techniques from the Kitikmeot, participate in an elders week with visiting elders from Cape Dorset who will share with staff and students their knowledge of ajaraq, traditional games, stories and legends.
As always, the students participate in land trips. During this term they will travel to Arviqtujuq to learn travel and hunting techniques and stay in a qarmaq that was built in a previous Piqqusilirivvik program.
This trip is meant to help prepare students and establish some of the basics in regard to travel on the land in winter and to prepare for a three-week trip to Igloolik.
Not only will the students gain experience in land skills by going to Igloolik, but the trip completes a cycle of learning where students are going to pick up igunaq that has been curing over the last few months.
The igunaq was prepared with walrus meat caught during a Piqqusilirivvik hunt in Igloolik last July. That hunt and the igunaq preparation were documented in photos and video that are being turned into learning resources for Piqqusilirivvik programming.
Students and instructors will bring the igunaq back to Clyde River where it will be shared with the community.
Mr. Speaker, the Piqqusilirivvik program is not only unique; it is an inspirational experience with life-changing outcomes for the students who participate.
This program is a true reflection of our culture, our identity and history.
Through this program and the experiences acquired, we are providing opportunities for Nunavummiut to learn and maintain our traditional knowledge and share it in a contemporary setting.
Member’s Statement 492 – 4(3): Passing of His Worship David Aksawnee (Mikkungwak)
It is with sorrow that I rise today to inform the House of the sudden passing this weekend of His Worship David Aksawnee, Mayor of Baker Lake.
Mr. Speaker, our thoughts and prayers are with his family today.
Mr. Speaker, David Aksawnee was a well-respected leader in the community and throughout the Kivalliq.
David held many important responsibilities during his many years of public service.
As a lifelong hunter, David’s knowledge and experience contributed greatly to the work of the community’s HTO and a number regional wildlife management bodies.
Mr. Speaker, David was a strong proponent of a strong local economy for the people of Baker Lake.
His leadership in the community contributed greatly to the progress that we have accomplished in recent years.
Mr. Speaker, David was a natural communicator, who was as comfortable negotiating with senior mining executives from Toronto as he was talking with an elder.
Mr. Speaker, David provided strong leadership at the municipal level and he was not afraid to make tough decisions.
His wisdom and experience will be greatly missed.
Mr. Speaker, I ask all members to join with me in paying tribute to the late David Aksawnee, His Worship.
Member’s Statement 493 – 4(3): Appreciation for Community Search and Rescue Teams (Rumbolt)
My condolences to the Aksawnee family in Baker Lake.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to show my appreciation for the search and rescue team in Sanikiluaq.
Mr. Speaker, this past Saturday a young hunter did not make it home as scheduled. Without delay our community’s search and rescue team came together and began looking for that hunter.
The team worked late into Saturday evening and worked throughout Sunday despite the high winds and blowing snow.
Mr. Speaker, I am very happy to report that the team found the hunter early this morning and he has been returned home in good health.
I would like to thank all those involved in bringing our young hunter back to the community.
Mr. Speaker, members of these search and rescue teams highlight the strength in each of our communities.
These individuals sacrifice their time and their own safety to ensure the well-being of their neighbours.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask my colleagues to join me in showing our appreciation for all search and rescue members across Nunavut.
Member’s Statement 494 – 4(3): Update on Situation in Kugaaruk (Qirngnuq)
I say “good day” to the people of Kugaaruk and Taloyoak, as well as my colleagues.
Mr. Speaker, I wish to first speak to what happened last week on February 27, where a person passed away in Taloyoak, but I didn’t mention the name and I apologize for that.
The deceased person’s name was Noah Taqtu, so I now mention the name and I also wanted it understood that his name is now on record.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I rise today to update the House on the situation in Kugaaruk.
Mr. Speaker, as you know, I was back in the community from Thursday to Friday.
Mr. Speaker, I met with the municipal council on Friday morning and held a public meeting in the afternoon.
Mr. Speaker, officials from a number of the government’s departments were in the community last week and I very much appreciate the quick response from the government to this situation.
As you know, the priority is to identify temporary space that can be used to hold classes until such time as portable classrooms can be brought into the community.
Mr. Speaker, despite the pain that the community is presently enduring, people are united.
I want to express my appreciation to everyone in the community who is contributing to the effort.
For example, the Koomiut Co-op is working to ship new classroom supplies to the community as quickly as possible.
Mr. Speaker, I also want to take this opportunity to formally and publicly thank all of the volunteers with Kugaaruk’s fire department and other first responders.
Member’s Statement 495 – 4(3): Recognizing the Tincombe Family (Angnakak)
I would like to welcome everybody today to the House.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my gratitude for the hospitality and generosity shown by Harold and Myrtle Tincombe of Lachine, Quebec, who welcomed so many medical patients from the north into their home throughout the ‘50s and ‘60s.
Mr. Speaker, the Tincombes began their association with Inuit medical clients when they adopted the late Jaco Mark of Ivujivik, who was struck with polio.
They also provided a home for the late Evie Ikidluak, who could no longer live in the severe cold climate of her home in Cape Smith near today’s Akulivik due to tuberculosis.
Mr. Speaker, in those days there were no such services as the Larga Boarding Home.
Thankfully Harold and Myrtle Tincombe opened their home to travellers from the north, making their stays less lonely and stressful.
Mr. Speaker, I myself experienced their kindness as a small child in 1966 when I had to be medevaced to Montreal because of a terrible eye injury.
In those days you didn’t get a family escort to travel with you, even if you were only four years old.
The Tincombes took care of me, away from my family and parents, for the four months that I needed treatment.
Mr. Speaker, my father has often told me that the Tincombes would take missionaries travelling from the Arctic to all the Montreal hospitals to visit patients from the north.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement today; I’m going to run out of time.
(interpretation) I didn’t hear any nays. Ms. Angnakak, please proceed.
The Tincombes extended their loving care and hospitality to many young Inuit passing through Montreal in the 1960s on their way to and from home, some to places of learning in southern Canada.
For example, Zebedee Nungak was one of those young students remembering the Tincombes as “decent, welcoming, charitable and friendly people who were always ready, day or night, to offer a bed for rest and food for hungry stomachs.”
Their guestbook looked like some sort of syllabic textbook there were so many names.
Mr. Speaker, although the Tincombes did not speak Inuktitut, their kindness and generosity transcended the need for language communications.
They fed their guests generously. They took them shopping, on tours of the city, and to church. They even took guests who were with them for an extended period of time to their cottage in Vermont where Mr. Tincombe had built a “crooked house” for people to stay in overnight.
Mr. Speaker, Harold and Myrtle Tincombe became “friends for life” with many of the Inuit they hosted and befriended.
Under their loving care, Evie Ikidluak earned her teaching certificate, one of the first Inuit to do so.
Jaco Mark eventually returned home and reintegrated with his fellow Inuit and culture.
The Tincombes’ positive influence reached far beyond the people they helped directly.
Beyond the immediate circle of individuals they helped, people spoke well of them and they became respected and loved even by people they had never met.
Mr. Speaker, the Tincombes did all of this because they truly cared for the people of the north. They were not compensated for their time and effort. They did it out of kindness and charity.
I, for one, am grateful for their hospitality and compassion and I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing and acknowledging their contributions.
Member’s Statement 496 – 4(3): Clarification on Earlier Statement Regarding Inuit Customs (Shooyook)
Good day to the people watching the proceedings, my constituents and colleagues.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to reference a misunderstanding that arose from a previous statement, so I will speak to it briefly.
Once I have spoken to this misunderstanding, I expect that we will make more progress in this House on Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.
The issue that was misunderstood relates to my statement about loving discipline of children.
I apologize for that misunderstanding, as those Inuit who listened understood my points.
It seems that our fellow residents who aren’t Inuit and understand Inuit culture misunderstood the gist of my comments about children and discipline. It was meant towards the fathers and mothers and the traditional disciplinary actions.
The first issue I will speak to is the slapping of the hands.
When you scold your child and they end up crying, leave them alone until they stop.
What I am trying to clear up here is the age at which Inuit children were slapped on the hands. This slapping of the hands only occurred around the ages of 4, 5, and 6 where the children are learning social skills and understand.
When the child stops crying, the parent has to explain why the slapping occurred and the exact reason why the discipline occurred.
You start by telling them, “It is due to my love for you.” This is loving discipline meant to correct actions. You tell them, “The consequences of disobeying will lead to more discipline.”
When the child understands why the discipline occurred, they become more obedient and can socialize with other children.
This is what I wanted clearly understood here.
Mr. Speaker, the other matter that was also misunderstood will be the next subject I speak to.
This would only apply to children from ages 6 to 10 and older.
Mr. Speaker, let me be clear that I don’t want any child hurt. I don’t want to see any beatings of children, as I am very protective of children of this age.
I don’t wish to see any kind of abusive discipline that is contrary to loving discipline, as this was misunderstood.
I do not want any parent interpreting this to mean freedom as I don’t want children to be abused.
I want the audience to clearly understand my comments and I want the viewers to understand what I am saying.  I would like to seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
Mr. Isaac Shooyook, please proceed.
I will now add a short supplementary comment to finish up.
I am adamantly stating that this has to be understood: I don’t want any older children to be beaten or to be disciplined with any type of stick or lash.
Instead, the discipline I reference is specific to the ages I mentioned, as they have to know how to socialize and to respect others.
I apologize for that as I caused misunderstanding to sprout up amongst the audience on this issue.
It became a story on the news that Mr. Shooyook was advocating for physically abusing children.
I will advocate for no such thing, as the audience has to understand that my comments were only about younger children, and I do not want any older children to be mistreated.
Furthermore, to the people who misunderstood my remarks or who didn’t understand should always approach me so that I can explain to them before they create an outcry over my comments.
Once they understand where I am coming from, we can work together to put forward proper information.
Member’s Statement 497 – 4(3): Acknowledging the Passing of Baker Lake Mayor David Aksawnee (Okalik)
I would also like to send my condolences to Baker Lake.
I would like to pay tribute to the late Mayor David Aksawnee, who I used to work closely with. He was a very nice individual and always friendly to anybody.
He worked closely with other people in representing his community.
I used to be proud that an Inuk was very capable in representing his community. He was very friendly every time I went to Baker Lake. I would be quite happy to get together with him and he was also one of my foundations in the community when I would travel to Baker Lake.
I am proud of the residents of Baker Lake for they had a capable person representing them.
Further, to his family he left behind, they are in our thoughts and we send our condolences to all people in Baker Lake during this time of loss and hardship.
Member’s Statement 498 – 4(3): Tununiq Ikajuqtiit Food Bank (Enook)
Good afternoon, Nunavummiut and fellow residents of Pond Inlet.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to again acknowledge the important work that is being performed by the Tununiq Ikajuqtiit Food Bank in Pond Inlet.
Mr. Speaker, a number of my constituents are making a difference every day in the lives of their fellow residents.
Mr. Speaker, volunteers like Ruben Arnakallak and Bobby Aglak deserve our thanks and acknowledgement.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, one of the recent initiatives of the Tununiq Ikajuqtiit Food Bank is providing support for young men in the community to harvest country food for the benefit of the community as a whole.
Mr. Speaker, initiatives like this help to address the immediate issue of hunger, build skills, and foster a stronger sense of community responsibility.
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker, as you know, I have raised the issue of food security on a number of occasions during sittings of the Legislative Assembly, and I will have questions later today for the appropriate minister concerning the work of the Nunavut Food Security Coalition.
Mr. Speaker, I ask all members to join me in paying tribute to the many residents of Pond Inlet who make the important work of the Tununiq Ikajuqtiit Food Bank possible.
Members’ Statements. Member for Arviat and Whale Cove, Mr. George Kuksuk.
Member’s Statement 499 – 4(3): Weekend Hockey Tournament in Arviat (Kuksuk)
Prior to making my statement for which I rise, I want to first speak to the subject my colleague made a statement about what transpired in Baker Lake, where the loss occurred.
Let me begin by stating that I share in the sense of loss and in particular the family, as I also knew David Aksawnee very well.
He also had many relatives in the outlying communities and this is usually the case. I wanted to let them know that we feel their loss and we will keep them in our thoughts.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share this good news that occurred over the (interpretation ends) weekend (interpretation) between Friday and Sunday.
There was a hockey tournament for the midget levels, at least that is what we call teenagers aged 13 to 17 in our dialect.
They participated in Arviat’s tournament on (interpretation ends) Friday, Saturday, Sunday (interpretation) and the tournament closed yesterday.
There was a team that travelled from Iqaluit as well as teams from all the communities in the Kivalliq region.
I wanted to share with my colleagues the feeling of pride, as I take great pride whenever I am informed about events. I also recall seeing the participation list along with the communities.
The smaller communities of Whale Cove, Chesterfield Inlet, and Naujaat are the three communities that had to fundraise and choose their (interpretation ends) players at the midget (interpretation) tournament level from these older players.
When funding was sufficient along with their players, they then travelled to Arviat to partake in the tournament, joining the teams from Arviat, Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet, Coral Harbour, and others. They were able to come up with enough players to have their own team to play in Arviat and they competed against Arviat, Iqaluit, and Rankin Inlet with that combined team.
It’s called the territorial tryouts to select players.
Mr. Speaker, I would like a unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
(interpretation) I don’t hear any nays. Mr. Kuksuk, please proceed.
Hon. George Kuksuk (interpretation): Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Thank you very much to my colleagues.
As I just stated, the three smaller communities combined their players into one team and went and competed in Arviat.
Last night they were having the finals and I was very glad to see that that combined team was among the medallists. They got third place, they got the bronze, and I am very proud for them being able to do that and also all the other athletes that came and competed.
It’s not just a game, Mr. Speaker.
I know that they made new friends and it really raised their personal profile doing what they love to do, playing hockey.
It really helps our young people whenever they get together and make new friends and do the fun things that they like to do together.
I ask my colleagues here to join me in celebrating all the hockey players that competed at the weekend hockey tournament in Arviat.
Member’s Statement 500 – 4(3): Weekend Hockey Tournament in Iqaluit (Savikataaq)
My colleague is talking about hockey, so I’ll talk hockey too.
There were young girls who came here to play hockey in Iqaluit and they’re all from Arviat. There were also players from Chesterfield Inlet and Pond Inlet. The teams came from there.
We went to watch them and it was very hard to watch hoping they would win, but they didn’t do so.
They came in third, which is really good, which I was very happy to watch.
The women’s Arviat team is coached by Jamie Samuel and I will go through the names of the young girls that comprised the team.
They wrote their names down for me, so I apologize if I mispronounce some of them, but I’ll try.
Kadin Pihuktik-Copland,
Lalainia Suluk,
Hailey Pameolik,
Cayla Kablutsiak,
Meg Malla,
Megan Kalluak,
Jessica Hapanak,
Jane Kinak,
Shailyn Nanauq,
Sylvia Pameolik,
Jaime Copland,
Juanita Issakiark, and
Emily-Ann Koomuk.
They will be leaving pretty soon. I would like the members to join me in expressing our happiness for them.
Member’s Statement 501 – 4(3): Long Distance Travel by Joe Evyagotailak (Taptuna)
Hon. Peter Taptuna: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) Good afternoon, Nunavummiut and my colleagues.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, my condolences to David Aksawnee’s family and the people of Baker Lake.
Mr. Speaker, Inuit are well known as great travellers on the sea and on the land.
Last summer our former colleague and Kugluktuk resident Mr. Joe Allen Evyagotailak and his wife travelled over 2,000 kilometres in 21 days from Hay River to Kugluktuk.
Mr. Speaker, it is a fact of life for many of us here in Nunavut that you have to travel long distances.
From my home in Kugluktuk to here in Iqaluit is over 2,000 kilometres and three time zones away.
Mr. Speaker, Joe and his family got their new boat shipped from Winnipeg to Hay River and then took the boat from Hay River across Great Slave Lake and down the Mackenzie River. From there, because of the bad weather, they were stuck in Tuktoyaktuk for seven days.