EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Welcome them home, feed them well, and support them well as there will be other events in the future.
I would also like to add that many of them came home bruised and tired from competing, but we will always support them.
At this time, Mr. Speaker, I thank you.
Mr. Arreak.
Member’s Statement 008 – 2(1): Focus on Non-Decentralized Communities (Arreak)
Mr. Arreak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I rise today and I would also like to first of all like to congratulate you as our first unilingual Inuktitut-speaking Speaker.
I would also like to thank my mother, even though she did not vote for me because she did not want me to leave the community, I was voted in here.
We all love our children, she loves me the same way she did when I when was little.
I would also like to thank the people of Clyde River.
The mayor of Clyde River gave me a tie and I am able to wear it today; the mayor of Clyde River is here today.
I would also like to thank the other candidates that ran, Phoebe Hainnu, Samual Nuqiqngak, Lootie Toomasie, Stevie Audlakiak and Peter Iqalukjuak; I, too, thank these individuals for expressing an interest for wanting to be in this government.
The hamlets, the communities that are non-decentralized is what I will be focusing on in this House to assist them in finding jobs, to assist the small businesses in the communities that go are not able to sustain themselves due to lack of business.
I would also like to talk about wildlife.
There are more and more wildlife such as polar bears that are coming into the communities.
Those are the types of things that I will be concentrating on as a Member of this House.
We are all aware of the shortage of housing.
Speaker (interpretation): Mr. Arreak is asking for unanimous consent to conclude his statement.
There are no nays, please proceed, Mr. Arreak.
As you know, there is a lack of housing in my community and this creates social problems and shortage of employment.
I would also like to concentrate on the rental scales that were imposed during the previous government.
Those are the things that I will be working towards.
I would also like to concentrate on the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.
I would also like to thank David Iqaqrialu, the previous member, for pushing this issue.
I would also like to congratulate the young athletes that went to Fort McMurray, Alberta.
I had one daughter that went to the games and I would like to congratulate her as well; I am proud of them all.
I would also like to thank my wife and my children; my wife is here today as well as our child.
I would like to inform the members that there is going to be a dog team race from the communities of Clyde River, Hall Beach, Igloolik, Arctic Bay and Pond Inlet on April 21.
Member’s Statement 009 – 2(1): Gratitude to Constituents and Executive Council Nomination (Akesuk)
I would like to also congratulate you, Mr. Speaker, for being elected the Speaker of the House.
First of all, I would like to thank my wife for supporting me as a Member of the First Legislative Assembly and again, for the second term of the Legislative Assembly.
I would also like to thank my constituents of Kimmirut and Cape Dorset for supporting me and I know that they will be supporting me again during my term in this House.
I would also like to thank the other candidates, Malikto Lyta and Martha Lyta, and would like to encourage them to run again in the third election.
I would also like to thank Levinia Brown, who nominated for the position of the Executive Council and I also thank my colleagues here that elected me into Cabinet.
I will be working to assist the people of Nunavut here in this House for the term of our Assembly and I know that we will be working towards the common goal for the people of Nunavut.
Even when we are not in session, the issues that we face here in Nunavut do not go away and we will work hard to try to resolve those issues.
I know that the members here have been voted into office for the abilities that they possess and I am sure that they will face the challenges together in the next four years to come.
I would also like to thank the people that supported all of the Members of the Legislative Assembly and it is much appreciated.
Member’s Statement 010 – 2(1): Representation of Quttiktuq Riding (Barnabas)
I congratulate you as the Speaker elect and I would also like to congratulate the Members of the Executive Council, Premier Paul Okalik and the ministers that were elected.
I congratulate all of the people that were elected to this House.
I would like to thank my wife, first of all, and my children for supporting me and also our adopted child, Cynthia Aglak Evaloardjuk, will probably be saying something in this House too from time to time.
I would like to thank my constituents who voted for me from Resolute Bay, Grise Fiord and Arctic Bay.
I was elected to this House to represent them.
I want to say that I would like to be able to support all of the people of the High Arctic in this House and to help them with their needs.
I will speak for them in this House.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate the athletes that went to Fort McMurray that came from Arctic Bay.
The young athletes from Arctic Bay have received gold, silver and bronze ulus and I congratulate them for that.
Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, during the Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery, I will be recognizing them, and I would like to thank the Mayor of Resolute Bay as well.
Ms. Aglukkaq.
Member’s Statement 011 – 2(1): Gratitude to Campaign Team (Aglukkaq)
Hon. Leona Aglukkaq: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I want to take this opportunity to thank the residents of Taloyoak and Gjoa Haven for showing their confidence in me and electing me and putting me here today.
I also want to acknowledge a person that convinced me, through many phone calls, to consider running in this election and who is here with us this afternoon, Mr. James Eetoolook, I thank you.
I also want to thank and acknowledge the individuals who put many hours into my campaign, my Campaign Manager, Dennis Lyall and his family.
I also want to thank my Financial Agent, John, for putting up with me.
I also want to say a special thank you to my mother, Mirrani Aglukkaq, for all her support and for travelling with me and always being there for me.
And thank my family in Taloyoak and Gjoa Haven.
And finally I want to say congratulations to the 14 athletes that went to Arctic Winter Games this past couple of weeks, from Gjoa Haven for doing a great job in representing Nunavut.
Mr. Mapsalak.
Member’s Statement 012 – 2(1): Gratitude to Family and Campaign Team (Mapsalak)
Mr. Mapsalak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I am very pleased that I am able to participate in the Second Assembly.
Mr. Speaker, first of all, possibly what I can start off with is a dream that I had for many years from the Northwest Territories days and then when we became a Nunavut Territory.
I have always dreamed of becoming a Member of the Legislative Assembly for Nunavut and to be able to address you as Mr. Speaker.
I would also like to thank my wife who has been very supportive, no matter what I do, or what office I run for, all my children, have given me their support all those years.
And also Lily Katuqquq, from Repulse Bay, and Peter Kupak, who worked extremely hard when I was on the campaign trail.
And also in Kugaaruk, Mr. Bruno Kabvik, and my sister, Mariot Kukugak and their family.
Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased and proud of the people of Repulse Bay who have now have a representative who is from Repulse Bay.
I think this is the very first time in history and even though that is the case, I will represent my communities of Repulse Bay and Kugaaruk equally while I am serving my term.
I will also be asking for support from those communities because I cannot do it alone.
As elected members we have to look at the people out there and be proud of our constituents who put us here and we will have to have the full support in the next four years to come.
I also know that in the next four years it is going to be extremely challenging and as regular members, we are going to have to work hard and work with the Cabinet Members.
I know that if we work together and if we cooperate, we will achieve the goals that we have set for us.
Mr. Speaker, I will be bringing up my issues in the next four years.
Mr. Evyagotailak.
Member’s Statement 013 – 2(1): Gratitude to Residents of Kugluktuk (Evyagotailak)
Mr. Evyagotailak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I am very proud that you became the Speaker along with the Premier the Cabinet and my colleagues; I thank all of you.
First of all, Mr. Speaker, I am very proud to rise today to make my first Member’s Statement in this House and I will also be working hard to be their voice my constituents concerns and will be seeking their input and support because I am not going to be doing this by myself.
I would like to thank my wife who has supported me all the way, I had asked her if she would support me if I ran for becoming a Member of the Legislative Assembly and she has been supporting me right from the beginning and I would like to thank all of my family my children.
Also, I think, you know this person as well, I have seen him, James Eetoolook is here so I would like to recognize him as well because he is a strong supporter of Nunavut residents as well and I would like to thank him.
To my colleagues, I would be working hard for my constituents in Kugluktuk to have their concerns and needs heard.
I would like to thank everyone here in the House.
Mr. Alagalak.
Member’s Statement 014 – 2(1): Gratitude to Supporters (Alagalak)
Mr. Alagalak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I am extremely pleased that I am able to be here and first of all, I would like to congratulate our new Speaker who I believe is a good person.
I am very proud of you and I congratulate you.
I would also like to congratulate our Premier who is a young and capable man and able to communicate in all languages.
I would also like to congratulate the Cabinet Members for being elected to their positions and they may well know that there is a lot of work ahead of them.
I would especially like to thank Levinia Brown, it was quite a while back then that I used to live in Rankin Inlet and she never gives up and nothing is too big for her, she can take on anything and I’m sure that’s the same way that she’s going to handle her office.
Again, to the elders of Nunavut; Mr. Tagak is a role model, he is a hard worker and a good individual, and if you are a young person out there, I support you and to follow the foot steps of Mr. Tagak so that you’ll will be able to participate in whatever you are doing.
And also Mr. Willie Adams I have known him for many years, and he’s a good individual, when I was taking engineering he was the electrician in Rankin Inlet and I used to want to become a trades person like he was.
He’s also a very good individual.
And also Leona Aglukkaq, I congratulate you for being elected to the Cabinet but I can tell you that there are people out there who stayed up all night to find out the results.
One of my grandchildren was an athlete in the Arctic Winter Games.
Mr. Speaker I would like to seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
Speaker (interpretation): Mr. Alagalak is seeking consent to conclude his statement.
Please proceed, Mr. Alagalak.
My grandson received three bronze ulus in the Arctic Winter Games and I wanted to mention that.
For the people in Arviat and the elders who supported me and to the people of Iqaluit who are also give me the support.
The elders of Arviat, Anautalik, Alikasuak and all the other elders who approached me to give me the courage to keep going and to face the challenges that arise as a member.
I would also like to say that we will have to provide more support to our elders, especially in areas pertaining to traditional foods and to provide more support to the hunter support programs that are made available to Nunavut beneficiaries because there was barely any caribou in Arviat we have to think about providing more support our elders and to the beneficiaries.
Member’s Statement 015 – 2(1): Gratitude to Campaign Supporters (Brown)
Hon. Levinia Brown (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I would like to congratulate you on being elected as the Speaker and I would also like to thank my colleagues and for electing me into the Cabinet; it is something that I am very proud of and my being able to participate in the running of the government.
Mr. Speaker for Rankin Inlet South and Whale Cove, I would like to thank the people who gave me the support and who helped me in my campaign.
I think I am going blind and I have to put my reading glasses on.
To the people who supported me Pilaji Sharp, Evelyn Thorson, Liza Leukin, Robert Janes, Bill Gawor, Eric Ukpatiku, Albert Kimaliarjuk, Tracey Wallace, Emilia Irkootee, Bernard Krako and her husband.
You all know that it was a hard campaign trail, but you were able and gave me the support that I required during that run.
Some of my supporters stopped on occasion. (interpretation ends) I do not know how many times my husband quit on me.
But we came back for more, we live in exciting times.
(interpretation) But we have to keep going because, of course this is something that is very important, and I do not like being on the losing end.
I will work hard to represent the people in my riding. I have hope.
Speaker (interpretation): The member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude her statement.
Please proceed, Ms. Brown.
Hon. Levinia Brown (interpretation): Thank you.
I have hope that Tagak and I will work together as Rankin Inlet is large and there will be many that hope out there.
I think, Mr. Speaker, I can say today that, how it would be like in the first Assembly.
It is hard to know what the issues or what the process is like if you are not involved.
We cannot be able to participate in all projects; like the hospital, for example, when that is going on.
I think about my sister Emma Tatty, when she first heard on TV about Mr. Speaker, she, well, Uqaqti was the name of our father and she used to get mad because she could not understand why they were calling Mr. Speaker Uqaqti.
I tell her this is what it means, it means Mr. Speaker, but she was older than I was and a little more aggressive.
She said right now, she understands why they call Mr. Speaker Uqaqti.
Mr. Speaker, I look forward to the challenges and our working together as colleagues.
I am sure that we will not agree all the time, but that is politics and that is how it goes when your responsibilities are that large.
Also, for the youth of Rankin Inlet, I would like to thank them for giving me the support when I was on the campaign trail and I remember their names.
There are the elders and the youth.
For the youth, I thank them very much, Maria Quqsuut, Margaret Qiliqti Brown, Amy Kaludjak, Melanie Sugarton and Mary Lee Sandy Aliyak who were a tremendous help when I was on the campaign trail.
And lastly, Chris and Selma Echoes have a daughter named Taqalik and Taqalik had said that she was glad that I was going to be a candidate.
She had said that now the communities will all participate.
She is smart.
And Mappapa Ilikkatuaq’s daughter Jaquelina gave me a folder that she had sewn herself, she is very young; she was very pleased that I was elected.
February 16, the election date, happened to be my birthday.
There were many people going on the local radio and they were concentrating on me just because I was elected and it was my birthday.
They did not mention the other individuals who were running in that campaign much.
I did not say that I was going to be born on February 16.
Member’s Statement 016 – 2(1): Gratitude to Supporters (Netser)
First of all, I would like to say thank you to the people of Coral Harbour and Chesterfield Inlet.
Pootoogook Adamie, and her husband, John Saimaut, and his spouse, these are the people that supported me.
I would also like to thank my wife, I very much appreciate her support and also I would just like to say that Iqaluit is a very friendly place and the people, we are made to feel like we are at home.
And also for the people that have been saying prayers for the Legislative Assembly Members, we need all the support for the challenging times ahead of us.
I am thankful that I have been elected once again.
Speaker (interpretation): The last name on my list for Members’ Statements, Mr. Peter Kilabuk.
Member’s Statement 017 – 2(1): Gratitude to Supporters (Kilabuk)
I would also like to congratulate you since you are going to have the highest seat and you will be looking down at us.
Mr. Speaker, I speak a lot about Kevin.
I would like to say thank you to the people of Pangnirtung and people here in Iqaluit.
We all know that Iqaluit is a very welcoming place and I would like to let my people know that we are treated very well here in Iqaluit because people are friendly and have compassion here.
I would also like to say that the people of Pangnirtung, that I will work hard and work on the many challenges that we have ahead of us.
I will do the best that I can and lastly, I would like to say thank you to my immediate family.
They could not be here right now due to a family matter but I am very thankful to them.
Speaker (interpretation): I do not have any more names on the list for Members’ Statements.
Item 5: Recognition of Visitors on the Gallery
I would like to recognize my baby-sitter from way back when.
I am very happy that she is here.
Maria Kukuvak.
Can you put up your hand so everyone can see you?
She looked after me as a small child when my parents would go out hunting.
I thank her, up to today for looking after me.
My wife could not be here, she wanted to be here and she does have something else that she has to attend.
I will bring her the next time that we come here.
I would like to take this time to recognize someone that I have the utmost respect for and someone that I hope and strive that I can live my life like she did, and that person is my grandmother, Jenny Tootoo.
She’s joined us in the Gallery today and I know she knows many people here and I just want her to know that I love her very much and I respect her and I hope to follow along the same path as she has with her life.
Mr. Speaker I would also like to recognize a constituent of mine who has brought her home school crew here to have a little education and politics and I’m sorry if it’s not as exciting as sitting at home in front of the computer.
I’d like to introduce Kathy Smith and Kimberley over here and Colleen and Katie.
So I would like to welcome them to the Gallery.
I would also like to recognize James Ettuluk and welcome him to Iqaluit once again, and also Mr. Speaker I would like to recognize Mr. and Mrs. Tatty, Mr. Tatty as we all know is a very accomplished dog musher and I’m sure that once he retires he might want to get my uncle John Hicks some lessons in mushing, I’m sure he has something he can pass onto him to help him have a little more success in his races in the future.
I would like to recognize our mayor, the Mayor of Resolute Bay, Susan Sudlovenick and Laisa Ningiuq from Grise Fiord, they’re both mayors.
I would also like to recognize Vivianne Kownirk that just received a gold medal and Wesley Attagutiaq, my nephew he got a bronze medal and I would also like to recognize Inuk Qaumaniq who also received a bronze medal and the other athletes as well.
I would, at this time like to recognise Thomas Levi, their coach, who was very supportive to and also Nutarajuq Arnaumayuk, Ruth Arnaumayuk I would like to recognize them as well.
I would like to recognize my uncle, can you please stand up Mr. and Mrs. Tatty, David Alagalak and I’ve known him all my life, he has very good dog team and he is very respected elder and if you are talk to him right now he is very young at heart and he is able to talk about anything that you..
And also my wife is here as well so I would like to thank her and also in Iqaluit, people are very friendly, the elders and even the young people are friendly.
Right now, being here in Iqaluit is very comforting.
And also, Manitok Thompson, thank you very much, we will remember you and I am sure that you have represented Rankin Inlet in the last Legislative Assembly to the best of your ability.
Please feel welcome at all times, even in times of disagreement.
I, too, would like to recognize some people from Sanikiluaq are in the House today.
I would like to recognize my partner in life, and also the other one was my supporter, Betsy Meeko and Annie Tukalak and also, I would like to recognize my niece and her father, we are cousins, Ida Kavik.
My Financial Agent, Mariam Fleming, and also here within the Legislature, Kallunaaraaluk, I call him and my daughter Annie and Epoo, these people are from Sanikiluaq.
I would also like to recognize, who has supported me very much, Manitok Thompson. I am very thankful to all the help that you have given me.
I also would like to recognize people here, mostly Atangalaaq, my father visiting behind me and my mom, Qasulugaq.
These are my parents, my blood parents; I am my mother’s son.
Hi Sally.
And also my beloved wife, she is across over there, Gene and my mother-in-law, Winnie Uvingajaaq, my sister-in-law and also, I would, Nancy Tupik, I would like to recognize her as well.
I am happy to say that Nancy is my constituent.
Yes, I would like to welcome all of the elders to this House and I would like to recognize them as well.
Our mayor, who is my constituent, Elisapee Sheutiapik, welcome and beside her is our senator Willie Adams, people said boo to him because he favoured the Ottawa Senators when they were playing with the Predators and Jordin.
And here with us today, I would like to welcome James Eetoolook and beside James is the person that I would like thank for supporting me during my election, Sami Qaumariaq.
I would like to welcome all of the people to this House and I would also like to recognize Manitok Thompson.
I would also like to recognize Tagak Curley, who was in the Legislature with me during the Northwest Territories days.
And also Iga Hainnu, our Mayor.
Lootie Toomasie, our mayor in Broughton Island, my wife, Martha, who is sitting over there and also I think it is Judy Joanas, who is my niece.
I would like to recognize my mother, who is in this House with me today and my wife, Pootoogook Adamie, Manitok, and my grandchild.
During the election she was watching me on TV, she has her own mind, she phoned me up and she said that, “Who did you fight, they said that you won?”
I would like to recognize two individuals, our elder from Kugluktuk, he is a Reverend in the Anglican Church, Sam Kakpak, my wife, Susie; she is one of the teachers in Kugluktuk.
I would also like to thank her for supporting me right through my campaign while I was running for MLA.
I would also like to recognize my husband, Ron Brown.
We have been married for almost 39 years, my son, Jason Brown, our eldest.
I would also like to recognize in the 1960s, I first saw him, Willie Adams; he has not changed since, Sally Curley, and Mr. and Mrs. Tatty.
As well when I was running for the election in 1999, I ran against Manitok Thompson, I would like to recognize her as well, in all that time we have never become enemies, we have always worked together, and we consult each other.
I am proud for Manitok Thompson.
I would like to also recognize Mr. James Eetoolook.
James hired me in 1991 to work for the Kitikmeot Inuit Association, so he gave me my big break in the Land Claim, so I thank him.
I would also like to thank Sam Kikpak, Sam and I worked together for many years on the Diavik Implementation Committee in Cambridge Bay, and he represented Kugluktuk.
I would like to also recognize Lootie Toomasie. Lootie and I worked together for many years on the Nunavut Association of Municipalities Board of Directors.
It is good to see you here today, Lootie.
First of all, I will start on this side of the room and first welcome the people to the Gallery and I would like to begin by welcoming Nute Arnauyumajuq.
Nute and his wife to the Gallery, Nute has worked for the Department of Health and Social Services for the last several years and has done yeoman service for the department and for the people of Nunavut. Qujannamiik, Nute.