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Mr. Speaker I rise today to deliver my first statement of the 6th Session on a very positive note.
In just over a week the capital of Nunavut will become one of two sites hosting the 2002 Arctic Winter Games.
We will be very proud of the efforts of the host society and the volunteers and community residents when the City of Iqaluit welcomes hundreds of athletes and coaches, parents and visitors to celebrate the Games.
I look forward to attending the events, cheering on the athletes and congratulating the participants.
I myself will be involved in officiating at the Speed Skating venue.
Mr. Speaker, landmark events such as the Arctic Winter Games leave behind an important legacy.
Children and youth are inspired and encouraged by events such as this.
Physical activities, sports and recreation are a very important component of healthy lifestyles and healthy lifestyles lead to the overall well being of individuals and families and ultimately communities.
The games and competition show the results of dedication and energy and sportsmanship.
These are things that we can admire and aspire to.
I would like to wish everyone participating in the Games the best of luck.
Win or lose, it is important that you do your best and have fun.
Member's Statement 004 - 1(6): Grave Relocation Workers
I didn't expect you to call my name so early, but thank you.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today, I’m glad to be here, alive and well, and this is the first sitting of the 6th Session.
Mr. Speaker, firstly I’d like to say hi to my family whom I have left at home for many days.
During our 5th Session I made many statements about concerns regarding the relocation of graves.
I’d like to thank the ministers who I directed questions to and I hope that during this 6th Session everything will go well.
Member's Statement 005 - 1(6): Session End - Gratitude to Repulse Bay Pages
I’m glad to be here today on our last day before we all go home and I’ll be making a brief statement.
Yesterday, I talked to my wife and she asked me to say hi to all the members today when I was back in my seat.
I want to thank the community of Repulse Bay and the members for giving our students a warm welcome here in the House.
Member's Statement 006 - 1(6): Quttiktuq Constituency
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank my constituents for their support.
I appreciate their assistance and I’d like to thank my constituency assistant for keeping me informed of the activities that are happening in Resolute Bay.
I hope that I’ll be visiting Resolute Bay in April to hear their concerns.
I also invite the athletes from Quttiktuq to come by my house while they are in Iqaluit.
They are welcome to come over for some caribou.
Member's Statement 007 - 1(6): Vest from Daughter-in-Law
Today is the first day of the 6th Session.
During the Commissioner’s Remarks we were reminded that we have a lot of work ahead of us.
I have six children, recently my son married, and my family is growing.
My 6th daughter-in-law made my vest and I decided to wear it on the first day of this 6th Session.
So I’d like to thank her for making the vest for me.
Member's Statement 008 - 1(6): Support for Small Businesses
I’m very glad to see my colleagues happy around the table.
But as long as I don’t get what I ask for, I don’t think we’ll ever be pleased, but we’ll be pleased about the proceedings in the House, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express how sad it is to see a small business closing down.
Yesterday the Member for Iqaluit West made a statement regarding the closure of the Arctic Creations store in Iqaluit.
I would like to say that I share his feelings, as I know many of the women from my community would go to her store to buy material or sewing items.
I’m sure that a lot of people are unhappy about the closure of this store.
Mr. Speaker, we must do more for the existing small businesses within Nunavut.
Financial support is not the only way to support small businesses.
Small businesses must also be supported through proper guidance and how to successfully operate their business.
We should be making more effort to provide services in the areas of financial management, loans, taxation issues, and advertising.
Mr. Speaker, I also would like to say that these private businesses, small businesses in Nunavut need stronger support and I know that the private businesses, small businesses, find it very hard to get adequate support services.
I know that other entities say that they’re willing to support small private businesses but once they start applying there is hardly any room for them to get assistance.
Member’s Statement 009 – 1(6): Encourage Children to attend Church with Parents
My colleagues have spoken very well and are understandable and I appreciate them.
My younger brother, Tommy Bruce also says hi to all of you.
Mr. Speaker, what I was going to say before, what I've been thinking about is children and I would like to briefly mention it.
First of all, and it certainly won't be the last time, I would like to thank the volunteers who have worked tirelessly here in Iqaluit. I feel very much for them. Some of them meet every evening at times to be well prepared for the young people.
I appreciate their efforts and my staff as well; I felt like crying hearing that they meet every evening.
Mr. Speaker, at this time, I would like to say something briefly, of something that has been felt, especially by our elders.
Mr. Speaker, when I was a child and I know too that for those of you that are the same age as Mr. Irqittuq and myself, the same age group that are our age group used to go to church along with their parents.
The different churches, the different religions have to be entered by the people, by the parents and especially children, so that the children are not forgotten when the parents go to church. You don't see parents going to church bringing their children to church as often.
Mr. Speaker, when we lived in Yellowknife, there was a six year old child that asked his mother about the clothes that the preachers wear. Why the priest is wearing a robe, or why an Anglican Minister is wearing a robe because the child did not know that these religious leaders wore those robes because she did not attend church that much.
We have to teach our children to not just watch TV but teach them religion and if they don't the parents are at fault.
Hon. Manitok Thompson (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker and colleagues.
I think the parents are at fault nowadays. When we go to church, we don't urge them enough to go to church.
We always see adults going to church along with their smaller children but not with their middle children.
I urge the parents out there to take along their children even if they are teenagers.
I am not blaming anybody but I am simply reminding them. The ministers years ago used to talk to us about alcohol, relationships and so on.
I am in support of the church and I urge them to talk about things that lessen the quality of life because life is very precious, and to think about the children, to tell them to go to church so they can experience a better life.
Member’s Statement 010 – 1(6): Gratitude to AWG Volunteers and Congratulations to Athletes
I just want to make a short statement about the young people coming here to participate in the Arctic Winter Games.
I would also like to give my gratitude to those volunteers because they work very hard without getting paid.
They are helping these young people by organizing the games as well as the coaches.
If it wasn't for the volunteers it would not be possible for these people to come to Iqaluit to participate in the Arctic Winter Games, and I would like to thank all the volunteers on behalf of my constituency. Also for those young people that are going to participate in the Winter Games. I want thank each and every one of them; I would like them to have a successful game, and to look after themselves and to be careful, and to recognize the other athletes and listen to their coaches and officials.
I would also like to thank the residents of Iqaluit as well for helping out the volunteers, and welcoming other Nunavummiut.
I would just like to say thank you to the residents of Iqaluit.
Member’s Statement 011 – 1(6): Elders’ Hardships and Today’s Challenges
Today I rise to make my statement.
I am one of the elder Members of the Legislature.
I would like to talk a bit about that, but when Ms. Thompson was making her Member’s Statement encouraging our children to go to church, that reminded me of the time when we lived in Sanikiluaq.
During the winter our only mode of transportation was by dog team and we had to go across the bay to one of the other communities to go to church.
This was used by the residents of the Belcher Island.
They had to use the dog teams to go to church and the dogs were very good.
When I was growing up, we did not have huge units, homes, and vehicles, I didn’t even know that they existed when I was growing up.
I never knew that motor vehicles existed when I was growing up because the only mode of transportation was walking, by kayak and dog teams.
Those were our only mode of transportation.
At that time I did not even know that any form of government existed in the world.
We did not know there were any forms of government and many of us did not believe that there were such things in the world and we did not even know that there were white people living in the world.
Today, our elders, if they did not work hard and endure their hard work, we would not be here.
For example, I would like to say how proud I am of the elders and thank you for their endurance of hardship so that we may live our very much easier life today.
They wanted us to care for each other and respect each other, respect our elders. They worked very hard to teach this to us.
Mr. Speaker, I would like unanimous consent to conclude my statement please.
Speaker: The member is seeking unanimous consent conclude his statement.
Hon. Peter Kattuk: Thank you, Mr. Speaker and also my colleagues.
Although we went through hardship, nowadays we are living two cultures, two life styles.
I can live the traditional life style and the contemporary life style we are living in today and also our young people.
People who are younger than me go through challenging times and hardships, because they were assimilated into the western way of life very quickly as the westerners start arriving to the north.
In spite of that I would like to say as Nunavut residents we now have our own territory and we do have regional try outs for the Arctic Winter Games.
I think that the Nunavut residents will win many gold Ulus.
Member’s Statement 012 – 1(6): Passing of Mrs. Nashalik and Condolences to Family
Today I remember Inusiq Nashalik, and her relatives.
His wife, Ooloosie Nashalik, passed away yesterday in Pangnirtung, she was 88 years old.
She was a mother to many people and one of my CA’s in Pangnirtung; she was also the mother of Rasie Nashalik, who is the host of CBC Igalaaq.
I remember the family.
I sympathize with them and I sympathize with my constituency and also we will pray for the family members.
I know that residents of Pangnirtung will be there for them.
Member’s Statement 013 – 1(6): Closure of Arctic Creations Due to High Lease Costs
Mr. Speaker, it was almost ten years ago when Kakivak and QIA looked at the development of an Incubator Mall which became the Parnaivik Building adjacent to our own Legislative Assembly building, many years ago.
The idea of Parnaivik was to support beneficiaries to get into private business.
One of the first businesses Mr. Speaker, to start up, was Monica Ell’s Arctic Creations Store.
Monica, in those early days, and I know, Mr. Speaker, because I had an office there and worked at the Business Development Centre, worked seven days a week to make her business very successful.
As the manager of the Business Development Centre, I remember the courage it took for Monica to move ahead and to open a small business.
I remember many times speaking to Monica about the hard work and the soul searching that it took her to move forward on her idea.
Mr. Speaker, this was a business she would not have been able to start without the assistance and the support of Kakivak, and Mr. Speaker, indeed the Parnaivik Building.
Monica’s store was successful and she moved into a larger space inside the Parnaivik.
Unfortunately Mr. Speaker, my understanding is that the lease costs were prohibitive in her new space.
This has caused Monica to close her store.
Mr. Speaker, I join with Member Okalik, Mr. Iqaqrialu and many Iqaluit residents over the past few days, who told me how disappointed and saddened that they are about the closure of Arctic Creations, Monica Ell’s store.
Mr. Speaker, it is important to note that the idea of the Parnaivik Building was to support Inuit beneficiary businesses.
That was through subsidies and lower lease costs, through the development, Mr. Speaker, in good times and slow times of those businesses.
Today, it seems, Mr. Speaker, that the original idea and the concept of Kakivak has been forgotten in the development of the Parnaivik Building.
Mr. Speaker, I will be joining with some of the other members here in writing QIA and QC about the decision on the leasing costs and seeming lack of support for small beneficiary businesses in the community of Iqaluit, which have served not only Iqaluit, but the Baffin, and indeed Nunavut residents.
Member’s Statement 014 – 1(6): Arviat: AWG Participants/Athletes
Members, with your indulgence, I would like to take a moment to acknowledge the athletes that will be attending the Games here in Iqaluit, and also in Greenland, from my home community of Arviat.
Going to Greenland in boy’s volleyball, the coach is Simeonie Memgard. Sedrick Manik, Petrick Memgard, Yvonne Memgard, Thomas Akumak, N. Doyette, with the mission staff.
In the girl’s volleyball, Joannie Tautunngie.
Here in Iqaluit in Peewee Hockey, Glen Akkak Jr., Terrence King, Edmond Pameolik.
In Bantam Hockey, Katy Lindell, Jordan Kidlaapik.
In Midget Hockey, Jackson Aroalik, Kudlu Irniq, David Sallak Jr, and Gleeson Ukaakuak.
In Mixed Boy’s Wrestling, we have Justin Irniq and Leo Karetak and last but not least in dog mushing we have Chris Uqaqtisiaq and Laurie Uqaqtsiaq, and Paul Nautalik as the coordinator.
I wish them all luck in the Games.
Mr. Speaker, when you were doing your little statement the time clock wasn't on.
But anyways Mr. Speaker, I’d like to recognize not officially in the Gallery but two individual constituents that have been with us and have been providing valuable services in Innuinaqtut interpreting and translation and they are Henry Ohokanoak and James Panioyak, and of course all the other good work from other interpreters as well.
I would like to recognize someone from my constituency in the Gallery.
He is the first one to always come here every time when we have a meeting, Evan Alford.
He is also in my riding.
Also our Sergeant-At-Arms Saimanuk Kilabuk.
Also to the elder sitting here it is her birthday; Rita Nakashook.
First of all, at the beginning of our Sixth Session I would like to recognize an individual who is having her birthday, Rita Nakashook who is my first cousin.
I'd like to recognize Lou Budgell who is sitting over here.
A good friend of mine, originally from Rankin Inlet before he moved to Iqaluit.
I guess I am his MLA because he lives in my neighbourhood in the riding of Ed Picco.
It has been a long session.
Today I would like to recognize a constituent, a former business partner and now Vice President for the Power Corporation; David Simailak from Baker Lake.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize a couple in the Gallery.
Both of them have been recognized already.
The first one is the President of the Federation of Nunavut Teachers, Mr. Lou Budgell.
Also I would like to recognize a birthday girl in the House.
Recently Mr. Speaker I found out that she is my great aunt.
I am very happy she’s here.
I just realized after Mr. Nutarak’s recognition that he’s a first cousin, so maybe we are related somehow.
I would like to welcome her to the Gallery, Mr. Speaker.
I would like to recognize a girl I could not stop when I was a goalie in a hockey game.
She plays a very good game of hockey; Jessie Mike.
I would also like to recognize the birthday girl and say happy birthday to her.
She’s also my relative, so both of these guys are my relatives as well.
Mr. Speaker, I too would like to welcome to the Gallery the Vice-president of the Power Corporation, Mr. David Simailak.
As Mr. McLean had said David has been instrumental in achieving some of the success that we have had with the staffing of the headquarters of the Power Corporation in Baker Lake.
This morning they unveiled the web site for the Power Corporation so I would like to take this opportunity to welcome David to the gallery.
Also Mr. Speaker, on my immediate left, behind Mr. Akesuk, who I would like to take this opportunity to welcome Rita Nakashook, and a very happy birthday.
Behind Rita is a well known official Mr. Speaker, as Ms. Thompson said, a former resident of Rankin Inlet, who is right now involved in I understand very heavy negotiations on snow removal up by his house, Mr. Lou Budgell.
Over on this side on my right Mr. Speaker, a person who has been introduced and who has an opportunity sometimes to come here to the House and watch the proceedings, well known by all members and people of Nunavut, Mr. Speaker, a member of the Nunavut Arbitration Board, Mr. Andrew Tagak.
I don’t often have people in the gallery from my hometown of Arviat. I have one today; Elisapee Karetak who is taking the law program here in town and the former principal of the elementary school in Arviat.
Question 001 - 1(6): Keener Interest in Traditional Economy
Mr. Speaker, today my question is to the Minister responsible for Sustainable Development and I’ll try to keep my preamble short.
It’s a sad, sad, day Mr. Speaker, when I hear about Monica Ell’s business closing down.
This is the traditional economy, something I’ve been talking about for the last three years in this Assembly.
I want to take notice of the wall hangings around this Assembly today.
Take a good look at them because they might not be around much longer.
Sally Webster’s business in Baker Lake has been shut down due to financial problems and it’s not something I like to speak about in this Legislative Assembly today but it’s been closed down because she can no longer do it.
Also, Mr. Speaker, the Print Makers Association in Baker Lake has closed down their print making facility in Baker Lake due to economic problems.
Can the minister responsible let me know if he’s going to take a keener interest in the traditional economy in Nunavut?
Good afternoon colleagues and good afternoon to my constituents.
The traditional economy that the member is talking about is something that we want to support more in Nunavut.
I will try to help all the private business people as well as the traditional economy businesses.
I will be working with the people out there and the Members of the Legislative Assembly to keep the traditional economy and the businesses strong in Nunavut.
It’s hard for me not to be sarcastic at this point in our Assembly.
But you know, I’ve been hearing about policies, revisions, looking at, consulting and stuff like this.
But the fact of the matter is the traditional economy along with the tourism economy is disappearing in Nunavut and it’s time for the department to start looking at it as a joint venture if not the whole government as a whole.
Can he tell me what the short term plans are going to be?
The funding that we have been giving to private businesses and the traditional businesses, and I am sorry to say that they are not always very much, what we try to do is try to keep the business economy going in the communities.
We will be doing some planning and considering how much more we can do for those traditional businesses and the business owners to help them out in Nunavut.
It is nice to hear the minister talk about that but in the meantime the people that make these wall hangings, the people that do the prints, the people that make the carvings, are going to be going to the social assistance office to look for money to feed their families.
So it is going from one pot to another.
But then to be on social assistance is not the same as producing the beautiful art that you see around the Assembly.
I am hoping the minister responsible would go to the Financial Management Board and ask them for a little bit more money to keep this economy alive and not have it totally collapse.
As the Minister of Sustainable Development I try to help the people with their businesses and the traditional economy.
We will try to see what else we can do so we can assist them in any way we can.
It is no secret that we have a beautiful Jesse Oonarke Centre in Baker Lake and if the minister went over there today and looked in it, the facility is probably 60% empty.
There is nobody working in there and it is no secret that the Jesse Oonarke Centre in Baker Lake draws the least subsidy of all the businesses of the Nunavut Development Corporation in Nunavut.
Could you direct the President of the Nunavut Development Corporation to maybe assist or help the print makers and wall hanging people in Baker Lake?
I will speak to the President of the Nunavut Development Corporation on this matter.
I have been to the Jesse Oonarke Centre in Baker Lake and they make very good wall hangings and prints and the ties that they make are very beautiful.
Question 002 – 1(6): Retreat for Suicide Survivors
I can't recall exactly when, but at the beginning of the Fifth Session I was talking about suicide and what we can do about suicide prevention and how the survivors and the parents who have lost children could form a support group.
I would like to ask the Minister of Health and Social Services how we can get a support group.
When can we establish a support group or what kind of plans can we establish for survivors?
Mr. Speaker, about a week and a half ago or two weeks ago, here in Iqaluit we had over 40 delegates, Community Health Representatives and Wellness workers and so on from across Nunavut meet to discuss exactly what the member is talking about.
That is, having informal and indeed formal groups set up to deal with the survivors and the families that been left behind after suicide incidents.
Mr. Speaker, I’d be very interested in following up with the member on his suggestions.
That is something Mr. Speaker, if groups and families and so on want to be involved in that, the Department of Health and Social Services would certainly try to help and facilitate.
Usually you start off by saying that was a really good question.
I would also like to thank you for having your department available to help with the establishment of a support group.
A suggestion was given to me about survivors who have gone through the grieving and their loss and have accepted their loss.
They have gone through the healing process and now can decide what they can do to help the survivors.
I think it is about time that those people who have gone through the grieving period get together so that they can look for solutions.
I am not saying the counsellors should be involved, I think that the solutions that we could find that would be the most effective would be the suggestions that are made by people who have gone through the healing process who have accepted their loss and so on.
So my question to the minister is, could there be a possibility of your department getting these people together?
Mr. Speaker, I know one of the issues that were being dealt with at that conference that we talked about earlier, I believe there were 44 delegates facilitated by Elisapee Davidee, there was discussion of both informal and formal contacts and help between organizations and indeed people in the communities.
Mr. Speaker if there is a request that comes forward from people on the specific issue that the member talked about, then Mr. Speaker, I would direct the department to help facilitate that type of group or that type of organization.
The answer to the member’s question is yes.
Would it be possible to find some funding from other agencies or organizations?
I think there are 26 communities in the whole of Nunavut.
I am sure that there are survivors in every community.