EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
This training course is a big step towards ensuring that decision-makers across the territory are well equipped with the knowledge and information they need to make appropriate, informed decisions that take climate change and its impacts into account.
The Hon. Minister of Education, Mr. Paul Quassa.
Minister’s Statement 171 – 4(3): Training for Ilinniarvimmi Inuusilirijiit (Quassa)
Good day to residents of my community of Igloolik, as well as my colleagues and visitors in the House.
Mr. Speaker, ilinniarvimmi inuusilirijiit have an important role in supporting students to develop the social and emotional skills they need to cope with the many challenges of life.
My department is providing a two-part territorial training session in Iqaluit from October 24 to 29 aimed at supporting these education staff members in their work.
Mr. Speaker, part one of the training from October 24 to 26 will focus on practical skill development.
In partnership with the Canadian Red Cross, all ilinniarvimmi inuusilirijiit will receive Be Safe! training.
Be Safe!
is a program used with children aged five to nine years and focuses on healthy relationships and sexual abuse prevention.
(interpretation ends) Departmental staff will train ilinniarvimmi inuusilirijiit to use two newly developed handbooks.
The first handbook outlines the ilinniarvimmi inuusiliriji role and responsibilities in the school.
The second handbook is the Crisis Response Guidelines for Nunavut Schools Staff Manual, which outlines how to handle critical incidents that can arise in schools.
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker, part 2 of the training is participation in Hope, Help and Healing, which is this year’s theme of the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention conference occurring in Iqaluit from October 26 to 29.
We have partnered with the (interpretation ends) Kamatsiaqtut Help Line (interpretation) to include our ilinniarvimmi inuusilirijiit in this national event.
They will be able to choose sessions presented by speakers from across Nunavut, Canada, and internationally.
This training plays an important role in supporting our staff as they counsel and guide our children and youth.
Minister’s Statement 172 – 4(3): ‘Our Land’ Exhibit opened at the Winnipeg Art Gallery (Kuksuk)
Good afternoon, my fellow Nunavummiut and the people of Arviat and Whale Cove. I say “good day” to my colleagues.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, this past September the ‘Our Land’ exhibit (interpretation) opened at the Winnipeg Art Gallery, also known as WAG.
(interpretation ends) In 2015 representatives from the Department of Culture and Heritage and the Winnipeg Art Gallery completed negotiations for a partnership through which Nunavut’s fine arts collections would be housed on loan at the Winnipeg Art Gallery for a period of five years.
The ‘Our Land’ exhibit is WAG’s inaugural exhibition of the Nunavut collection, and was originally co-organized in 2004 by the government and the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts.
This special exhibit has been expanded by WAG to include an even wider selection of Inuit sculptures, prints, artefacts, photographs, films, and textiles.
Mr. Speaker, I was delighted to be in Winnipeg for the opening of this exhibit, and would also like to thank elders Peter and Elizabeth Awa (interpretation) from Igloolik, whom I thank for attending, if they are watching or listening to the proceedings, and William and Martha Noah from Baker Lake for travelling to Winnipeg to attend the opening as well.
I thank the couple from Baker Lake.
(interpretation ends) The exhibit will be on display for six months. We look forward to future initiatives through our unique partnership with the Winnipeg Art Gallery. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Speaker (interpretation): Ministers’ Statements. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Minister of the Qulliq Energy Corporation, Mr. Johnny Mike.
Minister’s Statement 173 – 4(3): 2016 Laura Ulluriaq Gauthier Scholarship Recipient (Mike)
Good day, Nunavummiut, residents of my community of Pangnirtung, and the visitors in the gallery.
Mr. Speaker, I will be making a statement on the energy corporation’s 2016 Laura Ulluriaq Gauthier Scholarship.
I am honoured to stand in front of you today and announce Mavis Ell of Coral Harbour as the 2016 recipient of the Qulliq Energy Corporation’s Laura Ulluriaq Gauthier Scholarship.
The yearly $5,000 scholarship is awarded to a student enrolled in a post-secondary education program who exemplifies the vision of leadership of the late former government leader, Laura Ulluriaq Gauthier, who passed away in 2000.
Much like Laura’s ambition to create a locally managed utility for the territory, Mavis Ell shares the same determination in bridging the language gap within our territory’s health care system.
Her dedication and enthusiasm to help Inuit patients will guide her in achieving her goal of graduating from Nunavut Arctic College with a Bachelor of Science in Arctic Nursing in 2018.
(interpretation ends) “When I graduate, my plan is to return to Coral Harbour as a nurse and care for the people of my community,” said Mavis. “…it is heart-warming to know I have full support from my home community which gives me motivation.”
(interpretation) Not only is her selfless commitment to her community a sign of excellence; her distinguished academic achievements prove her to be a deserving student.
Please join me in congratulating Mavis Ell for her outstanding accomplishments and to wish her all the best in her nursing career.
Minister’s Statement 174 – 4(3): Baby Boxes (Hickes)
Hon. George Hickes (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) As we focus on reducing infant mortality in Nunavut, the Department of Health is pleased to present a Nunavut Baby Box to all parents of newborns.
The Nunavut Baby Box comes approved by Health Canada for infant sleep. This program is the first publicly funded universal program of its kind in Canada.
Mr. Speaker, Nunavut has the highest rate of infant mortality in Canada. Our infant death rate is almost five times higher.
A significant number of infant deaths are attributed to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or SIDS.
The country of Finland founded baby boxes in 1939.
The Finland model works.
It has reduced infant mortality from 90 in 1,000 live births to below 2 in 1,000.
We are confident the introduction of the baby box will reduce Nunavut’s infant deaths.
We also have a back-to-sleep campaign, which was implemented in the 1990s by public health agencies around the world.
This campaign, where babies are placed on their backs to sleep, has shown a reduction in the SIDS rates by 50 to 80 percent in those jurisdictions.
Mr. Speaker, the department is shipping these baby boxes, along with safe sleep toolkits, to all health centres in Nunavut.
We will deliver more than 800 to the parents of newborns this coming year.
The department has worked closely with the Department of Education and their “Tell Me a Story” program.
Included in the box are the storybooks and resources for parents, including information on tobacco reduction, sexual health, mental health, oral health, breastfeeding, and nutrition.
Mr. Speaker, Nunavut’s Baby Box program leads the expansion of the government’s SIDS awareness to give babies a safe place to sleep and decrease infant mortality.
I am pleased to invite my colleagues and the public to the Legislative Assembly lobby at the break to see our new Nunavut Baby Box.
Member’s Statement 336 – 4(3): The Increasing Use of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Principles (Shooyook)
Good day to the people of Nunavut, my fellow residents of Arctic Bay, including the communities in the High Arctic, Grise Fiord and Resolute Bay. I also extend this wish to my colleagues and visitors in the gallery. Welcome to the House.
I rise today to voice the immense pride I feel today.
I am standing to speak to Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit and capabilities are now alive once again. Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit has risen again and elders are starting to voice their experiences.
Furthermore, this traditional knowledge is slowly being incorporated from the top down.
This is absolutely flattering to hear since I now feel that in our future, even after my passing, the traditional Inuit customs will start to be practised once again where it fits seamlessly.
Mr. Speaker, we will never return to the old days or lifestyles. Nonetheless, many facets of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit and customary practices have a beneficial foundation based on loving others, the ability to discipline others, and in providing advice or counselling, including the ability to pass down skills as Inuit today still retain this knowledge.
Mr. Speaker, I take great pride in these developments, and I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating our fellow Inuit throughout Nunavut as they are very knowledgeable and skilled.
Mr. Speaker, I wanted to close by asking that their requests be accommodated in order for the Nunavut territory to move forward.
Member’s Statement 337 – 4(3): Energy Audits for Homeowners in Kugluktuk (Taptuna)
Mr. Speaker, homeowners, businesses, and governments across Nunavut realize the expensive cost to maintain and heat a home in Nunavut.
Recently the Government of Nunavut sponsored an energy audit for homeowners and public housing units in Kugluktuk. The energy audit was done free of charge and in cooperation with Arctic Energy Alliance.
Rankin Inlet, Cambridge Bay, and Iqaluit have already hosted energy audits.
The audits are conducted with a one-on-one information session with the homeowner. Heat loss calculations, appliance assessment, blower door tests, and a final report outlining the energy performance of a unit are completed and explained to the occupants.
As well a final report for the occupant provides energy-saving opportunities and gives them ideas where they can cut down on energy consumption and save money from energy costs.
Mr. Speaker, the service is provided free of charge and I understand that the next community to be visited will be Arviat.
Mr. Speaker, helping reduce energy consumption and the ongoing costs associated with it benefits all our communities in Nunavut.
I know that my community of Kugluktuk has many constituents who were very pleased to have an opportunity to learn about their energy consumption and how they can cut back on their costs.
Member’s Statement 338 – 4(3): Strange Sounds in Fury and Hecla Strait (Quassa)
Yesterday I raised the issue in my Member’s Statement. Over the past several months our constituents in Igloolik have heard noises and sounds that are being emitted near the Fury and Hecla Strait area northeast of Igloolik.
Mr. Speaker, as you know, our constituents as well as hunters and boaters have reported that the area in question is almost devoid of sea mammals and that hunting has been poor in the area for quite a while now.
Mr. Speaker, after the statement yesterday I have received phone calls and emails from constituents as well as other residents in Nunavut concerned about the issue.
The sound that has been heard in the area seems to be emitted from the seabed and underwater.
As well, this past summer, a private sailboat reported to the community of Igloolik that they also had picked up a strange noise or pinging sound in the area.
Mr. Speaker, after confirming with various agencies, including the Nunavut Research Institute, there was no science or other types of permits that would account for the noise. We went to the next level.
As I said yesterday, Mr. Speaker, through the Premier’s Office we contacted the Department of National Defence. The location of the noise is less than 70 kilometres north of the north warning main site at Hall Beach, or Fox-Main.
Mr. Speaker, DND has been informed of the situation and the Canadian Armed Forces are taking the appropriate steps.
Mr. Speaker, we will await the Department of National Defence review, and again I want to thank the community of Igloolik for bringing this information forward.
If any other information is forthcoming, we will update the House. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Member’s Statement 339 – 4(3): Qikiqtarjuaq Port (Keyootak)
I rise today to again speak about the importance of constructing a deepwater port in the community of Qikiqtarjuaq.
Mr. Speaker, the construction of a deepwater port in Qikiqtarjuaq would be of strategic benefit to the community, the territory, and the country.
Mr. Speaker, my constituents do not want to live in poverty and they do not want to depend on welfare. They want to work and they want to contribute.
Mr. Speaker, the fishing sector is our community’s best chance for a sustainable and prosperous economic future.
Our strategic location makes the construction of a deepwater port a logical choice.
Mr. Speaker, I continue to be very frustrated at the lack of clarity concerning what the Government of Nunavut and the Government of Canada have done to support this project.
Although the current business plan of the Department of Economic Development and Transportation indicates that, and I quote, “A business case has been completed for the Qikiqtarjuaq facility,” it is not clear to me if this business case has actually been submitted to the federal government for consideration under the New Building Canada Fund or other program.
Mr. Keyootak (interpretation): Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask for unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
Mr. Speaker, the current business plan of the Department of Economic Development and Transportation does indicate that business cases for new marine infrastructure projects in Iqaluit and Pond Inlet were submitted to the federal government, and we know that these projects have been approved for funding.
Mr. Speaker, the local news media recently reported that a request for funding for Qikiqtarjuaq’s deepwater port was rejected.
However, I cannot get a clear answer from our government as to whether this rejection came from the federal government and, if so, the specific reasons for why it was rejected.
Mr. Speaker, we need to know what we have to do to make our case for this essential project.
My community is ready to work with the territorial and federal governments as well as the private sector to do whatever is necessary to move this project forward.
Mr. Speaker, I am again calling on our government to provide me and the community of Qikiqtarjuaq with clear answers to some very clear questions.
Has the Government of Nunavut formally submitted the business case for the Qikiqtarjuaq port to the federal government for consideration under the New Building Canada Fund?
If so, when was the business case formally submitted and when did the federal government formally provide its decision?
If not, why was the business case for the Qikiqtarjuaq port not formally submitted for consideration given that the Government of Nunavut’s own documents indicate that one has been prepared?
What does the community need to do to improve or change the business case for the Qikiqtarjuaq port so that it can be submitted or resubmitted to the federal government?
Mr. Speaker, I will continue to raise this issue until the community and I receive clear answers.
Member’s Statement 340 – 4(3): Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention Conference (Angnakak)
I rise today to welcome all the delegates who will be attending the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention conference which opens tomorrow in Iqaluit.
Mr. Speaker, “Hope, Help and Healing” is the title of this conference and these themes reflect different focuses planned for the sessions and workshops.
Mr. Speaker, as we are all aware, the rate of suicide in Nunavut is one of the highest in the country.
Almost exactly one year ago today our Premier declared suicide a crisis in our territory. Sadly, the situation remains a critical social concern.
Mr. Speaker, we are very fortunate to have people, such as those involved in organizing and delivering the CASP conference, who are dedicated to finding solutions, promoting actions, and raising the level of awareness and recognition of what can be done to prevent suicide.
Mr. Speaker, I applaud the efforts of those who work towards helping others to embrace life, to encourage positive and healthy lifestyles, and to reaffirm life as the best choice.
Mr. Speaker, it is tempting to acknowledge specific individuals and organizations who are involved in this wonderful effort.
However, in keeping with the affirmation of the conference planning committee that we all have a role to play in suicide reduction and the promotion of life, I would like to recognize the effort and dedication of everyone involved in this important endeavour.
I ask my colleagues to join me in welcoming the participants in CASP 2016 – Hope, Help and Healing.
Member’s Statement 341 – 4(3): Tribute to Rudy Aaluk (Akoak)
I rise today to pay tribute to a young man from my community, Rudy Aaluk, who passed away this summer in a tragic accident.
Mr. Speaker, Rudy is greatly missed by his loved ones, his friends and family, and by the community as a whole.
Mr. Speaker, Rudy is perhaps most well known by other Nunavummiut for his winning entry into a contest to name Nunavut’s research vessel.
As my colleagues will recall, Rudy Aaluk submitted the name “Nuliajuk” to the Department of Environment during its naming contest.
Shortly thereafter Rudy received the exciting news that his entry had been selected and that he had named the territory’s new research vessel, which continues to support science-based conservation and the sustainable development of Nunavut fisheries.
Mr. Speaker, while I know that very little can help to ease the pain that Rudy’s family is suffering in their loss, I take great pride and comfort in knowing that his name will carry on through the ongoing voyages of the Nuliajuk research vessel.
May the memory of his youth sail on forever in those that love him.
Member’s Statement 342 – 4(3): Language Use in Schools (Joanasie)
Good afternoon, visitors, colleagues, and every resident in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address a very serious concern that has been brought to my attention.
Mr. Speaker, a young grade 8 student was reprimanded for speaking Inuktitut in school.
Mr. Joanasie (interpretation): In fact, the student was told that there was a three-strike rule and if it happened three times, then they would be suspended from school for speaking Inuktitut.
Mr. Speaker, I am sure that many of my colleagues will note the disturbing similarity to language policies that were practised in residential schools, where aboriginal students were forbidden from speaking their mother tongue.
The consequences of those policies were destructive and far-reaching.
Mr. Speaker, I have been given to understand that the rationale for the current policy of forbidding the use of Inuktitut in class is due to the concern that bullying is going on and teachers are unable to address the bullying if it is in a language they don’t understand.
Mr. Speaker, I fully support the message that bullying should not be tolerated.
It should not be tolerated in any form, in any language.
However, we should be addressing bullying at its roots, not using language as a scapegoat.
Mr. Speaker, I have contacted the Minister of Education on this issue and I am confident that the local district education authority will also be addressing it.
However, this is not an issue that can be easily swept away.
Language rights are paramount in Nunavut, protected by legislation and, supposedly, supported by our education system.
Let us move forward in a positive manner and not go backwards by repeating the mistakes of the past.
Member’s Statement 343 – 4(3): Successful Bowhead Hunt in Pangnirtung (Mike)
Now I wish to make an announcement on events that transpired in Pangnirtung, actually outside of the community.
This summer our local whale hunting crew was successful in harvesting a bowhead whale.
The local HTO as well as the Suqqait Committee were instrumental in planning this hunt and in organizing the hunt, including the harvest of the whale itself.
The bowhead whale caught by the hunters was a female measuring in at 38 feet, 6 inches and was caught on September 9, 2016.
The crew harvested the whale offshore of the old Kekerten whaling station, which was used in the 1800s.
I apologize as I didn’t quite grasp the wording used for the whale that was caught, but different terms exist for bowhead whales.
The terms include qinaujjaluktut (arched upper jaw) adult whales and qinaujjattiariktut (nice smooth upper jaw).
Unfortunately I was unable to decipher which term described this bowhead whale, so I apologize for that.
All bowhead whale harvests are considered extremely important according to Inuit customs, at least for the residents of Pangnirtung.
The hunting crew included a captain and they chose Adamee Veevee, as this is his fourth bowhead whale hunt ever since Nunavummiut became able to harvest bowhead whales.
The members of the crew included approximately 30 individuals.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to table the members’ names for recognition purposes to be included in the Hansard, so I will be tabling my document through that avenue.
I wish to add that the bowhead whale hunts are extremely important to the Inuit in the communities and throughout Nunavut, and ties into the Inuit hunting prowess or ability to harvest animals for food.
Even non-Inuit take pride in the harvests of the community.
Whale hunting is very important to Inuit, along with our cultural hunting traditions.
I take this opportunity to express my pride in the accomplishments of our fellow residents and to celebrate this catch with them.
Mr. Paul Quassa, Member for Aggu.
I was getting impatient to get to this part of our sitting because we generally only recognize two, three, or four people, but I have to recognize many people today.
I explained that the people here with us today are community school counsellors from across Nunavut.
There are 37 delegates that have arrived to Iqaluit to do a workshop and their work is extremely important.
The delegates from the Kitikmeot region are:
Allen Aglukkaq
Helen Blewett
Bessie Joy Haomik
Sam Inaksajak
Komek Nivingalok
Eunice Laura Panigayak
Christine Porter
Kenneth Taptuna, and
Elik Tologanak
Those are the delegates from the Kitikmeot.
The delegates from the Kivalliq region are:
Christina Aupaluktuq
Mike Gibbons
Lucy Maklagak
Solomon Malliki
Susan Pameok
Jean Pudnak
Mary Tatty
Noah Tiktak, and
Billy Ukutak
The delegates from the Baffin region are:
Kootoo Alainga
Meeka Alivaktuk
Rosemary Akoomalik
Raigili Amaaq
Annie Lamittuq
Stevie Aulaqiaq
Annie Ipirq
Elizabeth Inuarak
Natsiq Kango
Mary Kellypalik
Iga Kiguktak
Shoopee Kooneeloosie
Rosie Kopalie
Nala Lyta
Mukshowya Niviaqsi
Oqqallak Panipak
Opah Picco
Lizzie Qanatsiaq, and
Tapitia Takawgak
Those are the delegates that I would like to recognize. There are quite a number of them that have come from all across Nunavut. Welcome to Iqaluit and thank you for being here.
Speaker (interpretation): For those who were just recognized, welcome to the gallery.
I am very pleased to be able to stand and recognize the residents from Kugluktuk who are visiting today.
The following individuals were acknowledged, but I still wish to name them as they are my fellow Kugluktuk residents, my nephew, who is my blood relative in Inuinnaqtun, Kenny Taptuna and Margo Nivingalok. I am pleased that residents of Kugluktuk were invited here to Iqaluit.
I would like to welcome all the members here that are participating in the Canadian Association on Suicide Prevention conference later this week, but I do recognize one of my constituents here, Ms. Natsiq Kango, that I would like to recognize.
I, too, would like to welcome some of visitors to the gallery from Cambridge Bay.
As you know, Mr. Speaker, we don’t get very many people come from this great a distance from the Kitikmeot that often.
It gives me a great opportunity to welcome Elik Tologanak, Helen Blewett, and Bessie Joy to the gallery, sitting right behind me here.
I also would like to recognize individuals from my community, my sister-in-law Meeka Alivaktuk and Shoopee Kooneeloosie.
Welcome to the legislature, all of you who are here.
Member for Arviat North-Whale Cove, Mr. George Kuksuk.
Hon. George Kuksuk (interpretation): Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I again say “good day” to my fellow Nunavummiut.