EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I am extremely appreciative of and thankful to my wife as well as our children, whom I love very much.
Further, I wish to thank all of my colleagues here in the Assembly.
It can be very difficult to be an elected official, especially given some of the responsibilities such as being a chairperson of the standing committees dealing with proposed bills. From what I have seen, the recent bill is a good example of the hardships we face in dealing with legislation, at least for me, particularly since we had to deal with an issue that is dear to the people of Nunavut.
I was quite ecstatic yesterday when members voted in favour of it and I am confident that it will pass third reading, at least that is my expectation.
To my colleagues, I wish to thank you all for your assistance and cooperation. I thank the ministers for listening to the questions I put forward and I am extremely grateful that I was able to get adequate answers on behalf of my constituents.
Further, I thank all of our staff upstairs as they have been tremendous in their support for the members.
Without them, it’s clear that we would have made many mistakes, but they are looking after us. I was one of the members who continually used their services.
Mr. Mapsalak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker and my colleagues.
Indeed, I wish to single out the interpreters as I especially depend on their services.
I wish to express my unending gratitude to them as they help us to understand the discussions and the interpretations are always understandable.
Further, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the hospitality we enjoy here in Iqaluit. Whenever we’re here, community members welcome us and I thank the residents for their hospitality.
Further, they are not reticent to raise their concerns to us because they know that we are Members of the Legislative Assembly.
They offer advice and I would like to thank everybody here.
Perhaps I may see some of you depending on the results of our upcoming territorial election as I will be running again in the next election.
Member’s Statement 551 – 2(4): Reflections on Serving One Term as MLA (Alagalak)
Mr. Alagalak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank my colleagues.
I have only been here for one term as a member, but I have learned a lot, especially about working as a team and being provided with support. I have learned quite a lot.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank my family and relatives in Arviat who have continued to support me. As well, since I am their father and relative, they have never stopped offering their support and I am very appreciative of that.
As well, I would like to thank my friends in Arviat who continue to support and call me at home to offer advice or solutions to a problem we are facing in our community. From the time that I moved to Arviat in 1977, the number of my friends has continually grown. We have lived there for a long time, so they continue to increase in numbers.
Our friends as a family, our helpers, those we help are also continuing to increase to date.
I am very thankful for them because they never abandoned us.
Further, a supporter who has continued to provide assistance deserves my gratitude as that person has continued to support me even though they experienced extreme hardships. That individual still tries to assist fellow Inuit as well as myself and if I ask that person to do me a favour, they never question it.
I am so thankful to that person.
I’m not saying that I won’t be seeing the people or my relatives in Arviat again. However, I retain my perspective and I will continue that in the near future.
I wish to be involved no matter where I am as I want to provide assistance where I can. I just want to serve the people and I will try and help those in need as this has been the case all my life.
As well, with respect to the members here, those whom I have worked with and continue to work with, they have changed over the years. Some have quit, some have resigned, and we even had one member pass away. However, these events occur throughout all of our lives whether joyous or not.
As we each live our lives, we all have to experience them even if they are not purposeful.
Further, many of you have made this comment as I’m referred to as an elder by this Assembly. I don’t try to be an elder statesman, but it cannot be helped.
Perhaps I had better ask my colleagues this first. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
Mr. Alagalak (interpretation): I thank all of my colleagues very much.
At times, I refer to myself as a young person and sometimes I am in agreement with that assessment, and some of you classify me that way sometimes.
I have heard “young fella” and “young guy,” and I enjoy being told that as I still am hesitant to refer to myself as an elder.
Like all of you here, you are all adults, but some of you still don’t think of yourselves as elders either in your mental outlook or in your hearts.
The basis for most members is their wish to serve their fellow Inuit.
Further, many people have called me at home and quite a number have commented about this matter when I first sat in the Assembly. I kept getting told that I didn’t look complete without my hat.
The hat has been my head’s partner for the majority of my life, but I had to take it off when I sat down as a member and that is regrettable. However, it’s impossible to do since one must follow the rules outlined for the House.
However, I think that my hat knows that should I not return or be re-elected, then I would be able to wear it freely and constantly. So you can come and visit me as a complete person in Arviat when I am wearing my hat, at least for those people who state that I look incomplete without it. I reiterate my gratitude to all the members here for providing advice and hospitality here in the House.
Perhaps if I were to return as a younger person, then I would still befriend you and work with you all.
I will not be forgetting any of you as you all have a place in my heart and I will remember you periodically throughout my life.
Member’s Statement 552 – 2(4): Reflections on Serving as MLA (Kattuk)
As well, I thank you, Mr. Alagalak. I have known him a long time now, ever since 1972, and he hasn’t changed a bit, and what he said is true.
Mr. Speaker, just before I begin, I would like to send my regards to my family and my grandchildren.
I was informed recently that my grandchild is now walking, but I left before she could walk and now she can walk. I am glad that I will be seeing you soon.
I say, “Hi, Cynthia.”
I think today is our last day here. The last time we were here, I said that I will probably not be able to come back. I would like to add to that earlier statement from last spring.
I believe that this is indeed the final day for me as I will not be running again. Some of my previous comments are still applicable, so I would like to add to them.
Akesuk stated that he will not be running this coming election.
I am proud of my colleague as he has been very helpful to me personally.  I also want to state that I remember the time when we were just regular members during the time zone change.
When we felt that we had beaten it, we were dancing away at the regular members’ room. However, Mr. Quirke came to the room to announce that this initiative was one from the government and that it would come to pass. As soon as we heard that news, our celebratory mood completely dissipated.
But these things occur in the House. When we first became new members, it was quite bewildering to try to learn all of the laws and rules of the House.
So when we heard the news that the time zone was approved, we lost our giddiness.
I would like to thank Akesuk for his assistance.
I also want to mention what Mr. Picco said about me, which is true, that I used to go out caribou hunting with him here in Iqaluit.
I think I’m going to be smiling all the time because I’ll be going home tomorrow. I think my smile is going to stay with me all day.
As I was saying, Mr. Picco said last year or last spring, it is true that when he started butchering or skinning a caribou, there was blood all over his things.
I guess that’s the way he is.
I respect Mr. Picco for being able to fulfill his duties here in this House and I will always appreciate how he tirelessly and clearly responded to my questions, so I thank him for that.
I would also like to thank all my constituents for electing me as Member of the Legislative Assembly for two terms and for their support and assistance.
I underwent several stressful episodes while representing my riding. During the last nine years, there have been several deaths in our family, such as my father and sister, and we went through hardships.
However, when you are representing our people here in Nunavut, you must work hard to do so and not let hardships hamper you. I am proud that I was able to continue even with these hardships.
I hope that members who are running again get elected. I know that some will return and I know that the candidates will try their best, but I hope that you can defeat the other candidates and return to this House.
Member’s Statement 553 – 2(4): Appreciation to Constituents in Cambridge Bay (Peterson)
I would like to welcome my constituents in Cambridge Bay, Umingmaktok, and Bathurst Inlet to the proceedings today via television.
I have been hearing some good reports back home that they’re enjoying the proceedings.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today on what could possibly be our last sitting of the Second Legislative Assembly of Nunavut to thank my constituents for supporting me as their MLA in representing them in this House for the last four and a half years.
Mr. Speaker, the people of the Cambridge Bay riding are not only my constituents, they are also my friends, relatives and neighbours.
Mr. Speaker, when I was campaigning in 2004, I asked them to “Let Me Be Your Voice” in Iqaluit and promised them that I would do my utmost each and every day to ensure that the Government of Nunavut hears their concerns. I have done my very best to keep that promise and I’m sure that many of the ministers will support me in that statement.
Mr. Peterson: Mr. Speaker, I have learned as an MLA that we must work together to serve all the people equally across our great territory.
It has not always been easy. My colleagues have frequently supported me in addressing the needs of my constituency and I have been pleased to have had the opportunity to support them.
I thank them for all their support and wish all Members of this House every success in their future endeavours.
Mr. Speaker, we have always said that accountability, transparency and fairness are critical if the public is going to have any confidence in their government.
One of my constituents recently told me that he has seen accountability “creeping” into the government in the Second Legislative Assembly. This is a testament to the work undertaken by all MLAs and ministers.
Mr. Speaker, when I first started out as an MLA, I was amazed by the amount of reading and background work that we have to do to understand all of the issues before us and to effectively review budgets, scrutinize proposed legislation and keep the government accountable. It seems like it is never ending.
Fortunately, the Legislative Assembly has a dedicated staff and they have done a tremendous job of supporting us, from researching and providing procedural advice to fixing our computers, making travel plans, ordering office supplies, and processing our invoices.
I would like them to know that I have appreciated their care, concern and commitment.
I would also like to publicly express my appreciation...  Mr. Speaker, I request unanimous consent to continue my statement.
Mr. Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank my colleagues again.
I would also like to publicly express my appreciation and gratitude for the hard work that our frontline public servants in Cambridge Bay and other communities undertake every day.
There are many Government of Nunavut staff in Cambridge Bay who have spent a great deal of time and effort in helping me to resolve concerns and situations that constituents have raised with me.
I apologize to some of those employees for asking the written questions that required them to do weeks of research. I assure them that it’s all a necessary evil.
Mr. Speaker, during the last few months, I have been overwhelmed by the number of people who have dropped by my office, emailed me, stopped me in the street, or called me to ask if I am going to run again for MLA. Even some residents of Iqaluit have been asking me.
I have been humbled by the many comments that they have made thanking me for working hard on behalf of our communities and caring for people.
Mr. Speaker, I have talked to my family about running again. I am thankful that they have all supported me during this term. It is not easy being a great distance away from your loved ones for long periods of time, especially if you come from the Kitikmeot.
Mr. Speaker, it is with a great sense of honour that I take this opportunity to inform my constituents back home that I will run again in the upcoming general election.
I intend to earn their trust once again to continue to be their voice in Iqaluit. I look forward to returning home this weekend to be reunited with them and with my family.
Member’s Statement 554 – 2(4): Support for the Qikiqtani Truth Commission (Curley)
I rise today to make my statement. First of all, I would like to send my regards to the people of Rankin Inlet who are watching the proceedings, from the elders to the young people.
My wife, Sally, could not go home yesterday as there was some mix-up with her flight. I know she is watching and I would like to send my regards to her.
Firstly, I, too, wish to express my gratitude to all of my colleagues since they are my fellow workers and most of them are not leery to voice their concerns.
That’s really helpful when we are sitting in the House.
In particular, I wish to thank all the staff of the Legislative Assembly. I would first of all like to thank Mr. John Quirke, all of his legislative staff, and in particular the research staff. They work extremely hard and although we are not expecting something to be done sometimes, it gets done.
I would especially like to thank Mr. Alex Baldwin for all the assistance that he has provided to me. I would like to note to all the future members and returning members that he will continue to support you in your work.
Mr. Speaker, I wish to state that when we were undergoing a trying period, we appreciated the gestures from the members. At that time, my colleague from Arviat and I were both scheduled for heart surgery.
It was completely understandable when we were sent greetings from the members and staff of the Assembly. This was especially appreciated by our families while we were undergoing our healing.
What I can state today is that even though I am no longer as fit as before my surgery over two years ago, many Inuit, not just my relatives, have been voicing their happiness that I am still around and I wanted to make that statement.
Mr. Speaker, what I wanted to state is that with respect to some of my previous comments where I have alluded to our forefathers’ experiences and the hardships they suffered, I want Nunavummiut to understand that we will not forget what occurred and some issues are yet to be resolved.
One of these issues occurred in Baffin Island, which some of us have tried to resolve in the past. Both I and my colleague from Amittuq, Mr. Louis Tapardjuk, have continued to express our concerns about the fate of Qanngualuk and her family when they were abducted from up north.
I believe that this matter is still unresolved and I also read up on historical books. In my opinion, the family was abducted and taken away on an airplane, transported somewhere outside of Nunavut.
I would like to speak to the issue in the future, perhaps by penning the story to be made available to our schools.
As I stated earlier, I would like to encourage the Minister of Education to write a history book based on being proud of their history so that our youth can understand what transpired up north when Qallunaat first arrived and how Inuit were treated.
Mr. Speaker, the main reason why I rise today was to speak to the important work that is being done by the Qikiqtani Truth Commission for the first time, although it may not have any bearing on my community. They are trying to reveal the truth, but neither our government nor any ministers have ever made a presentation to the commission and I believe that they should appear before the commission.
Mr. Speaker, I believe that it is vitally important to have an accurate and complete understanding of our history, especially what occurred to our elders. These kinds of things have to be brought up. Mr. Speaker, everyone here knows their history, how our people were treated and which are still impacting us to this day.
This seems almost unbearable, especially when you listen to the elders and you can understand what they are saying. I have also read up on several stories about what happened.
When your sole mode of transportation was slaughtered and the government forced you to move into communities during several relocations that took place across the north in the years following the Second World War, it was brutal for the Inuit of Canada because their lives were turned inside out.
As a people and as a culture, Inuit have struggled mightily as they were made a part of the Canadian state and society by what I refer to as the “assimilation policy.”
I know that I used to be told about the assimilation policy during my schooling years.
If the next generation of Inuit are to understand and meet the challenges of the 21st century, it is more important than ever to understand the history that transpired.
For that reason, Inuit experiences have to be told and written down.
I also thank Mr. Tapardjuk for starting to write some of those things down.
Mr. Speaker, I grew up listening to the recollections of my elders as they told me of the experiences they underwent in the transition stages and they were similar to what occurred in the Baffin region that we now hear about through the stories of our elders as they presented them to the commission.
I want to take this opportunity to praise Commissioner James Igloliorte, a former judge, who is heading the Qikiqtani Truth Commission.
I would like to thank him for agreeing to undertake the important work.
I believe that similar work would be welcomed in the Kivalliq region. Our elders have their experiences to share and their voices must be preserved before they’re lost in the passage of time. I encourage all future Members of the Assembly to speak up on these issues from time to time.
As well, as I am concluding my statement, I wish to thank my relatives and my wife. I also thank the many elders who really encouraged me to return to politics approximately four and a half years ago, while I was at a crossroads and dithering on my future. At that time, I didn’t want to return to politics, but I am happy that I returned.
I want to conclude my remarks by noting that we will likely have many candidates running in this next election, but I don’t want to announce my intentions at this time.
Mr. Picco stated that he will let us know on the 21st and I don’t want to be the first to state whether I am going to be running again or not as I believe that there are many Rankin Inlet residents who may wish to run.
I will announce my intentions on the 21st as well.
Member’s Statement 555 – 2(4): Reflections as MLA and Member of Executive Council (Tapardjuk)
I believe this is our last day and I would like to express my thanks.
The four years have gone by very quickly although I expected it to be longer.
As a Member of the Legislative Assembly, I cannot state that this is a fun position.
It’s complex and very hard to be a member, but I believe that all the members here have a common purpose and that’s to serve their constituents and assist them in improving their lives.
Our life here in Nunavut is not easy. As Inuit started down the road to self-determination, I worked hard with my colleagues.
First of all, I would like to thank all the members who elected me to be part of the Cabinet and indeed to be a part of the government operations. I especially would like to thank the Premier for handing me the portfolio that I truly enjoy, the Ministry of CLEY, because Inuit culture has always been near and dear to my heart. Protecting our culture and seeing how I could help out was also one of my platforms.
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): I especially would like to thank these people who have supported me ever since I became a minister.
When I first became a minister, I was totally unprepared since I had no inkling of how government operates.
I would like to first of all thank Mr. David Akeeagok, who was my Deputy Minister of the Department of CLEY. Kathy Okpik was also one of my deputies and after that, Phoebe Hainnu and Aluki Rojas were my deputy ministers.
These individuals are all Inuit and major movers and shakers as deputy ministers. They were very easy to work with because they understood the Inuit culture and that really made my job a whole lot easier as we worked on meeting the expectations of Nunavummiut.
I also wish to mention Peter Ma, who is my Deputy Minister of Finance, and he knows the multitudes of issues related to the department that I don’t. His briefing notes really helped me to understand government.
Also, the people who work at my office, I would like to first of all thank Sheila Kolola, who has assisted me tremendously, and her successor, Eileen Kilabuk. Sometimes I happen to forget to introduce her, but I truly thank her for her assistance.
I am usually referred to as the boss, but Eileen Kilabuk-Weber is actually my boss.
She is the one who directs me where to go and what to do, so I have to listen to her.
I especially would like to thank her.
As well, I would like to thank Diane Ijiraq, John Ilupaalik, and Janet Isigaittuq, who were my CAs in Igloolik.
I believe their term will be up tomorrow, Saturday, or Sunday and I want them to be well prepared in all of their future endeavours.
I would like to say that if I can assist them in their future plans with whatever they undertake, I would love to reciprocate since they have assisted me tremendously when I was usually away from Igloolik.
Mr. Speaker, I was asked to be nominated in 1999 for the First Assembly, but due to my work on the Nunavut Social Development Council, which I didn’t want to abandon, I declined. However, in the next term, when I was asked, I agreed.
I wish to thank those people who encouraged me to run as an MLA and I thank them profusely.
Lastly, I wish to state that last night, I felt a very strong emotion when the bill was submitted for its third reading which has been an issue fought for by many people. Mark Evaloakjuk came to mind because I always admired him.
Although he was a unilingual Inuk, he was able to survive in the white world.
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): Even though it might seem late in the day, we now have rights and have legislated rights for future candidates.
I want to encourage everybody, even if you can’t speak English, to make their run for the Assembly because we have approved legislation which I believe will assist them greatly once it’s enacted.
For the people who are considering running, I don’t want them to use their being unilingual as an excuse.
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): I received a phone call last night from a person wanting to nominate me on Saturday and if I could return to Igloolik to sign the nomination form. What I told that person was that I will determine that once I have returned to Igloolik. That’s what I stated.
So on Monday, I will announce if I will be running, but I can tell you that I am still not tired of being here in the Legislative Assembly.
Member’s Statement 556 – 2(4): Reflections as MLA and the Plight of High Arctic Residents (Barnabas)
I, too, have people to thank. I would like to thank, from the bottom of my heart, my wife and my children who have supported me tremendously.
Even though I have gone through difficult times, my family and friends have continued to support me.