EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
There are a lot of services and programs that are being provided from outside of Nunavut and we keep saying that we want to repatriate everything, especially services.
We also say that we should also repatriate all the artefacts that came from Nunavut.
Do you have any plans to repatriate the artefacts?
The reason why I’m asking this is you have an agreement with Manitoba to have a travelling exhibit of Inuit artefacts very likely because they are not going to be repatriated to Nunavut.
They will be going outside of Canada and travelling internationally.
Would you consider repatriating our artefacts or do you have any plans in place to repatriate them?
Since I took over the portfolio of Culture and Heritage and with the previous government, building a heritage centre has been brought up.
It has been deferred repeatedly. I’m talking about a heritage centre.
Again, I will refer this to Mr. Cloutier on the exhibits in Yellowknife being brought to Winnipeg and the Department of Culture and Heritage’s perspective, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Cloutier (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) That is an important matter.
As the minister pointed out, it has been in discussion since the creation of Nunavut. We are actively looking for options and solutions.
We have artefacts and art collections in different locations that require negotiations to maintain those collections. We know this should not be forever.
They are temporary measures.
For the lack of having a proper facility in Nunavut, the department created a new program under its Grants and Contributions Policy to support small capital projects of $500,000 that can be accessed. If a community wants to establish a small cultural facility in their community, then those funds can be accessed to create those facilities.
When those facilities are in place and have the adequate equipment, because you need a climate controlled environment for some of these projects or artefacts, some of the artefacts that can travel could be displayed in the communities for people in the communities to actually enjoy.
In the short term, we have this $500,000 initiative that is available to communities. In the meantime, we are actively negotiating with our different partners to ensure that our artefacts are properly stored, but with the view that they will eventually come back to Nunavut. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
At this time, we will take a 10-minute break.
>>Committee recessed at 14:58 and resumed at 15:26
Chairman: I would like to call the committee meeting back to order. (interpretation) Welcome to the gallery, Sandy Akavak.
(interpretation ends) Culture and Heritage. Branch Summary. Heritage.
I have a question related to one issue that I want to ask which one of our colleagues alluded to earlier.
It is regarding the art gallery housing the artefacts. I know that we don’t have a facility, at least that I am aware of.
These artefacts, most of which are ancient tools of our ancestors, are commemorated only through stories and the descendants learn about these tools through various courses about history.
With respect to these artefacts, I heard earlier that we have no words for the tools.
Wouldn’t it be easier to come up with terminology related to the Inuit lifestyle and culture, that if we had words already used for hunting tools and so on, it would allow the outside world to learn more about our Inuit culture?
I wanted to comment on this issue.
I have thought long and hard on this issue and how we Inuit can update the erroneous stereotypes the outside world views us with. Has our minister ever contemplated ways to improve this perception? Has he already provided direction or is this already under development?
I wanted to ask about this matter, Mr. Chairman.
With respect to archaeological artefacts that the member is speaking about, it involves working with legislation as well as the Inuit Heritage Trust and the storage of these artefacts from our Inuit ancestors.
There are several areas that require our compliance in speaking about this issue.
Perhaps if we looked at Nunavut overall, archaeology involves several different fields.
If the member can specify which particular aspect, language or cultural issue, he is referring to. It may not even be part of his question, but I would prefer the member to specifically mention his issue, as we will be better able to respond.
I apologize about that need to request further clarification from my colleague.
If you can provide more details or specify which part your question applies to. Mr. Qirngnuq.
Yes, I was referring to the artefacts and traditional cultural practices, as I believe both of them are under one department.
These artefacts originally had names for each piece, as that was how they were made.
They stem from our ancient language and cultural practices of our Inuit ancestors.
I wanted to see a written summary of these artefacts explaining each piece and historical use as a minimum because this would at least place these names into our modern consciousness of Inuit who are descended from these ancestors and become part of our daily lives.
Is that any clearer or understandable now?
The way I understand it, part of it is a day-to-day issue, so Mr. Cloutier will elaborate on that.
Mr. Cloutier (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) The importance of artefacts that are from Nunavut but being stored in other locations like in Yellowknife or Ottawa, we are actively working on funding options and solutions, not only in the short term but in the long term, to ensure that Nunavummiut can benefit and enjoy access to those artefacts, their heritage, cultural and physical heritage.
The Department of Heritage has a number of programs that promote heritage and culture in Nunavut. There are community initiatives. There are also grants and contributions provided to community organizations and non-profit organizations to promote local heritage initiatives or local cultural initiatives.
There is also the Archaeology Program that oversees the administration and the issuance of archaeological permits for groups that want to do archaeological fieldwork in Nunavut. There is a program set up for that.
There is also the Archives program that oversees the storage and administration of government public records, as well as private collections coming from individual organizations. The Archives program looks after that.
The Toponymy Program is also a program that registers official place names and provides support to community groups in collaboration with our key partners to ensure that place names around Nunavut communities are well documented, in Inuktitut most often.
Then there are public library services where there are a number of different community library services in different communities. There is funding that goes towards the operations and maintenance of those types of services to Nunavummiut in different communities across Nunavut.
These are some of the core programs. I hope I answered the member’s question correctly. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Branch Summary. Heritage.
I just have a question for clarification.
I think we are still on page F-6.
It was mentioned that you are working with the Greenlandic government on the arts.
I apologize if this was asked already, but I would like to ask how many students we have in Greenland and how much the government spends on each student so that they can get training over there.
Mr. Cloutier (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) Sorry, I don’t see it in the business plan under Heritage, but we do have an initiative with respect to Greenland under Directorate.
The number of potential students we could eventually send to Greenland will be two and that would be with the National Theatre School of Greenland. It would a two-year program.
The school has five students now but with a maximum of seven students.
It is a very intensive program. It requires a lot of dedication and commitment on the part of the students.
Potentially that’s what we would be looking at for students.
To my knowledge, there are currently no students from Nunavut in Greenland with respect to our program, but that would be in the upcoming fiscal year. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
It looks like students will be sent this upcoming fiscal year.
How much money are we going to spend on the two students?
Mr. Cloutier (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) In the upcoming fiscal year, we are going to explore the feasibility and possibility of sending students.
They would apply through the regular process for getting student financial assistance, which will be through FANS. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Do I understand correctly that when students apply for funding in Canada, they apply for financial assistance under the same program?
Is that the only assistance we would provide, even though they’re outside Canada?
Mr. Cloutier will elaborate on the question.
Mr. Cloutier (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) We are looking at the options with our partners or stakeholders to find the best options to support those students to go to Greenland and take advantage of those courses.
We have some examples of students this year for other initiatives not related to culture and heritage, but some students that actually are attending the Folk School in Sisimiut where they got a bit of support from FANS. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Perhaps I’ll rephrase my question. Do we still have no idea how much money we spend to send students over there to the theatre school?
Is it still not set up?
Mr. Cloutier will speak to the budget for that.
Mr. Cloutier: What we are looking at is the travel for potential students plus living expenses. I don’t have the concrete numbers to provide you, but we do have funds set aside under our programs to potentially support two students if there are two students interested in going. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I have a concern with this “might be the case.”
I don’t want to approve things that might be the case.
We have to approve detailed information because government money is public money.
Can you point to exactly which line item it would come from if students were interested?
If it could be clarified in the business plan also, Minister Mike.
Mr. Cloutier (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) We will commit to ensuring that we have the figures for this.
What we have in the business plan as a priority is to identify the partnerships.
Once we have identified those partnerships with the Government of Greenland and the Government of Nunavut, we will be able to bring forward those figures.
What we plan to do for the upcoming fiscal year is to identify those partnerships. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I will ask my last question.
In the main estimates for 2016-17, you will not be spending any money that year to send students to Greenland?
Mr. Cloutier will clarify that.
Mr. Cloutier (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) What we have set as a priority is to identify who our partners will be that can contribute to the initiative.
Once those partners are identified, we will go ahead with the initiative of sending two students to Greenland. If it is in the next following fiscal year, then it will be in the next fiscal year, but our priority is to really identify partners that can move this priority ahead in the future. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
With regard to archaeology, perhaps I can start off with a request for clarification about how the Department of Culture and Heritage collaborates with Inuit Heritage Trust and federal government departments dealing with archaeology.
How do you work with them? That is my first question.
My acting deputy minister will respond to that question, Mr. Cloutier.
Mr. Cloutier (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) If I understand the question correctly, how does our department works with Inuit Heritage Trust, as an example.
There are a couple of initiatives.
One is with respect to the collection of place names. Under the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, Inuit Heritage Trust is responsible for collecting Inuit place names across Nunavut.
Once those names are collected, they can be passed on to the Department of Culture and Heritage for review and also approval to make them official on Nunavut maps.
This is one area of collaboration.
The other area of collaboration is with respect to what we had been discussing earlier, the management of artefacts, the various collections, and finding solutions to ensure those artefacts are repatriated to Nunavut in the future or to find at least mid-term, short-term, and long-term solutions to these important matters.
These are a couple of areas that I can mention with respect to that. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I also thank him for the response.
Perhaps with respect to your different partnerships, I wonder if it includes lands within Nunavut that have a status placed on them, perhaps certain archaeological sites or if I say (interpretation ends) heritage site (interpretation) status that can be selected by the federal government.
Does your department use these special places status selections as part of its work?
Hon. Johnny Mike: Thank you. (interpretation) Mr. Cloutier will explain that.
Mr. Cloutier (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) Yes, there is collaboration.
Our department gets involved with respect to those historical sites, either from an archaeological perspective or with respect to documentation.
There is ongoing dialogue and collaboration with various federal stakeholders, Parks Canada, and so on. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I wonder if he can speak to how many requests have been made for approval, perhaps to Parks Canada, or would it be sent to them?
Are you able to provide a list of lands that have been recognized as either archaeological or heritage sites?
If I was understandable, that is.
Mr. Cloutier will respond to that question. (interpretation ends) Thank you.
Mr. Cloutier (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I do not have that information in front of me at this point, but we could surely work with our departmental officials to get this information. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
The reason I’m bringing this up is in the communities that we represent, we know which places should be recognized.
We have a visitor from Kimmirut, Sandy Akavak, who is very knowledgeable about a place called Imiligaarjuk. In English, it is called (interpretation ends) Cape Tanfield. (interpretation) It is being looked at by heritage people to recognize it.
Is there some more work that can be done on that or more considerations or have you looked at that and all the artefacts that have been uncovered there and are still being uncovered? With the fact that it could be used as a teaching tool, have you considered that line at all either with Nunavut Arctic College or with archaeologists?
Mr. Cloutier (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) Yes, there is a process that needs to be followed with respect to historical sites.
I must apologize, I do not have the details of that process in front of me today, but we can certainly provide the detailed process to the member.
It can be provided. (interpretation) Thank you.
Thank you and I will be expecting that. Not just that, but there are other places in Nunavut that have different stories where the people know that there are heritage stuff that people want recognized or protected.
Let me move on to something else. In your business plan on page 76 under Priorities (2015-16), it states that “an additional $150,000 was allocated to support community radio stations...” Has that improved the local community radio stations and, if so where?
If he’s talking about the priorities for 2015-16, the $150,000 to support community radio stations through grants and contributions, I would like Ms. Adla to answer the question.
It was $150,000 previously that could be requested for and we were able to get more money for it. We contributed a total of $225,000 to the communities in the 2015-16 fiscal year and we were very happy about that because we got more requests than we expected.
Is the entire $225,000 given to radio stations or was it just added to what you were giving the radio stations already?
Ms. Adla will explain that.
We increased it by $75,000.
It’s usually $150,000, but we added $75,000 to it.
It also states that it is through the Grants and Contributions Program.
In case I didn’t hear you correctly, did all the communities request funding through this program?
Ms. Adla will continue with the response.
We received many requests, but not from all the communities.
I can say the names of the communities. In total, 14 communities applied and received funding from this program.
If you could tell me which communities did not get the funding, it would be easier just to find out. My other question would be: of those communities that received funding, did they all receive the same amount of money?
I would like Ms. Adla to respond to that too, please.
I don’t have a list of the communities that did not get money in front of me.
However, I do know the communities that got funding and they did not get the same amount of money because they submitted different proposals.
I could say the names of the communities that got funding if you want to know.
Chairman (interpretation): You can go ahead and say the names of the communities. Ms. Adla.
Cambridge Bay received $15,000 in funding, Cape Dorset received $15,000, and (interpretation ends) Chesterfield Inlet (interpretation) received the same amount of money.
Clyde River, Coral Harbour, (interpretation ends) Hall Beach, (interpretation) Iqaluit, and Kimmirut each got $20,000.
Kugluktuk, Naujaat, and Pangnirtung each received $15,000. Pond Inlet, Sanikiluaq, and Taloyoak each received $15,000.
Qikiqtarjuaq requested $9,500 and that’s what they received.
Community radio stations operate on a daily basis, so I thank the Department of Culture and Heritage for providing funding for that.
News and information is broadcast using our language on the radio, and local people rely on community radio to be kept informed.
I am just expressing my support to the Department of Culture and Heritage for this program.
If any of the radio stations require repairs, I would like you to promote that aspect of it.
Radio stations are very busy and I know many people volunteer at the radio stations, especially during Christmas.
I would like to see even more support for them because they are very beneficial to our communities.
They are very useful and it helps in keeping people informed of the day-to-day activities and emergencies.
Heritage. (interpretation) Following my list of names, Mr. Akoak.
I just have a few questions here. In the business plan on page 75, there is a program called “Toponymy.”
It talks about, “The program conducts research on geographic names, consults with Elders and with communities” on place names.
Are they making maps for the communities?
Mr. Cloutier: There is a position, a GIS position, in Igloolik that is responsible for producing maps when research is done on place names to ensure the proper coordinates so that place names are properly placed on maps.
At the request of a community, they can receive that support or that assistance. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Akoak: Just for clarity, is that for the surrounding community or is it for all of Nunavut?
Mr. Cloutier (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) It’s throughout Nunavut. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
On the same page, Nunavut Public Library Services, you indicate, “…provides operational funding to 10 community libraries, and purchases library materials relevant to the north and Nunavut’s communities.”
Which communities are getting that funding?
Hon. Johnny Mike: Thank you. (interpretation) Ms. Adla will answer that question.
The following communities receive operational funding: Arviat, Baker Lake, Cambridge Bay, Cape Dorset, Clyde River, Igloolik, Kugluktuk, Pangnirtung, Pond Inlet, and Rankin Inlet.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you very much. (interpretation ends) Culture and Heritage. Branch Summary.
The question I have is I’m wondering how involved the department is, if at all, in heritage buildings.
Maybe they’re not classified as heritage buildings, but let’s say really old buildings from maybe the ‘40s or something that the community feels is important. Does the department have anything to do with that?
My apologies. We have no program for such things.
I’m just thinking of buildings like the old hospital in Pangnirtung that was built very early on and I know that it’s in disarray right now.
When I last went to Pangnirtung, I saw that it was falling apart and people aren’t allowed in anymore, but it is a significant building that holds a lot of history.
Is this something that the community could go to your department with a request for assistance in this area?
Mr. Cloutier (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) The communities can certainly approach the department for assistance or advice on how best to proceed for the maintenance or safeguard for that type of building in terms of what programs that would be available for the protection of those buildings. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
When we try to preserve old buildings, is this something that is important to this government or do you leave it to the communities to decide whether or not a building is important?
If you’re going to leave it to the community to decide, how satisfied are you as a department that the community members actually know there’s a process that they could go through if they so wanted to preserve a building?
We have a lot of old buildings and some of them are boarded up, but I feel that they have a lot of history in them.
Is this something that the government has even a list of, of what you have in the communities?
If I understand your question clearly, it is in regard to heritage sites. The Pangnirtung blubber station is also a heritage site.
The department also deals with parks.
In Pangnirtung, I know that some parks are being taken care of by tourism as they try to establish the tourism industry.
Mr. Cloutier (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman (interpretation ends) To my knowledge, we don’t have a list of those types of buildings across Nunavut.
Depending on the nature of buildings, there are grants and contributions available for heritage facilities. What we would encourage is the communities to contact the department.
We are open to having dialogue and discussions with respect to what their projects are about and see if they are eligible under our grants and contribution programs.
If it doesn’t fit within those programs, then we can provide assistance on the best course of action to proceed with the protection of those buildings. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
When we talk about the heritage part of the department, I know that through the Archaeology Division, old Thule sites and that are protected, but I’m just wondering how much effort is put to some of these buildings.
The example that the minister provided to us in the House today is that Parks Canada came forward and restored that building, but if it’s not Parks Canada, would that building have fallen and gone to nothing?
Who’s looking after all the other buildings?
With regard to archaeological and heritage sites, I know that we can take a look at its current status.
The government policies which are being implemented for the culture and heritage department also includes work on Inuit culture and societal values.
We have to be mindful of that and we will be able to look into that more.
That’s my response to your concern.
I just want you to know that we have a foundation based on Inuit societal values.
I think the heritage part can involve many areas.
When I was in Nain, Labrador one year, we went into the old Moravian church and accommodations from hundreds of years ago that they had preserved.