EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
If it is going to stay that way I know that they are going to create animosity and conflict amongst Nunavummiut.
The Nunavut Government will have to be more sensitive to these entities that were created for the benefit of Nunavummiut so that the money will stay in Nunavut.
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Iqaqrialu. Members’ Statements. Mr. Irqittuq.
Member’s Statement 294 – 1(6): Benefits for Long Term Hamlet Employees
I would like to make a Members’ Statement today because there was a concern in my constituency in regards to the Hamlet employees.
The Hamlet employees have been long-term employees but they don’t get the full benefits they would be entitled to in regard to housing allowances.
They don’t get the housing allowances even though they are very capable employees.
They have worked for a number of years for the smaller communities.
I am using the Hamlet of Igloolik as an example, where it is a decentralized community.
The long-term employees have taken jobs with the Nunavut Government because they pay better.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to state again the Hamlet has had financial problems ever since the establishment of the Hamlet Councils.
There have been numerous communities that have gone into deficit.
But because they have very committed employees, then they can do better.
In regards to the decentralized communities, the very capable Hamlet employees have moved on the Government of Nunavut positions.
Even today, it’s alarming because they don’t have surpluses; I hope my Member’s Statement is clear. In the future the Hamlet employees should be given more benefits, like retirement funds and housing benefits because they are the ones who run the community.
Member’s Statement 295 – 1(6): Travelling by Snowmobile
Mr. Speaker, winter is here again and there will be many people traveling by snow machine on land and ice.
As we all know, global warming is having a negative impact on ice conditions up here in Nunavut.
Each year the ice is getting thinner than the year before and, in some places, it remains that way throughout the winter.
This makes travel by snow machine on ice very dangerous.
I would like to advise those who are not familiar and remind those who are familiar to take caution when traveling this winter.
Ask your elders and those who travel before you about the ice conditions in your area before you plan to travel Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Member’s Statement 296 – 1(6): Bullying: Everybody’s Problem
Mr. Speaker, today I would like to make a statement about a serious matter in Nunavut and Baker Lake.
But before I address the topic at hand, I would like to give an example.
Mr. Speaker, for a number of years, the north has had a bad, bad distinction of having the highest smoking rate in Canada.
And as we know, the costs of smoking are great, not just in terms of money going up in smoke but in terms of our health.
Nowadays, one of the leading non-accidental causes of death in Nunavut is lung cancer and too many children are suffering from respiratory problems and high rates of infection.
Much of this is a direct result from second hand smoke, but Mr. Speaker, the will was there to tackle this problem by the Minister.
I would like to commend the Minister of Health and Social Services for his consistent dedication to the anti-smoking campaign and he is a perfect example by giving up smoking himself.
Mr. Speaker, another ugly problem looms over Nunavut; it is called bullying.  Mr. Speaker, bullying takes many forms from name calling and teasing, to pinching and poking to downright violence.
Bullying is hurtful and is a harmful behaviour.
Like the after affects of smoking, the results of bullying can be far reaching and affect children, families, schools and communities, and even elders.
It’s no secret that both bullies and their victims can end up suffering in the long run, from poor self esteem, anti-social behaviour, constant failure, depression, suicidal thoughts, the list goes on.
Mr. Speaker, bullying is everyone’s problem.
If we can come up with and support a successful campaign like the Anti-smoking campaign then we should be able to come up with a campaign that tackles the problem of bullying.
I would like to urge the Ministers of Education, Health and Social Services, Culture, Language and Youth, to get together and seriously address the issue of bullying.
Mr. Speaker, they say that one way to force a bully to change their ways is to stand up to them.
I would like to see this Government stand up to the problem of bullying and make a change before the long term effects become irreversible.
And on that, Mr. Speaker, I want to add that bullies are not just the guys in the playground that are picking on the little kids.
Bullies are boys, they are girls and there are bullies of all ages who are bullying our elders for money.
So Mr. Speaker, I hope that this government will sit down at one of their meetings and decide how to tackle these issues and we will support you on that side.
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. McLean I’ll just remind you that you did have two statements there.
But since the second part of your statement was on bullying, I think there are members here who will allow it.
Member’s Statement 297 – 1 (6): Iqaluit Kids Against Violence
Mr. Speaker, I too would like to lend my support to my able colleague from Baker Lake.
As he stated earlier, the effects of bullying reach all of us; my own daughter has come home upset by this type of behaviour in school, not only in school, but also in the playgrounds and just playing around on the streets.
Mr. Speaker, I agree that we need a Nunavut-wide strategy to stand up against bullying.
I think we already have a good example to follow from a group of teenagers here in our capital city of Iqaluit.
Mr. Speaker, the Iqaluit Kids Against Violence is a group of dedicated teenagers who have decided that they have had enough of the bullying that they’ve witnessed and experienced in schools.
Getting together on a regular basis, these youth are trying to do something about the level of violence in their lives.
Not only do these kids provide a support network for each other, but they are doing their best to raise awareness of the issue through marches, meetings, fundraising activities and plans to get together with other Nunavut youth.
Mr. Speaker, we could all learn something from this group, they demonstrate to us what we should already know, that standing up together can encourage others to stand up for themselves.
The problem of bullying is not isolated to one or two schools.
It runs rampant across Nunavut and the rest of the country.
Sadly, we do not often hear of it because bullies often frighten their victims into keeping quiet.
I am very proud of these teenagers that overcame that fear.
In our turn, we should do everything we can to support them and other groups like them.
I strongly urge the Minister of Education to begin addressing this problem head on.
If the minister takes a strong proactive stand, this will support the principals and teachers in our schools in their efforts to deal with the problem and in turn, we’ll support the students and parents alike in their effort to deal with bullying.
Mr. Speaker, bullying is everyone’s problem and I’m very proud of the Iqaluit Kids Against Violence who came together to do something about it.
I think we can all learn by their example.
Member’s Statement 298 – 1(6): Inuit and Eskimo
I didn’t realize I was going to be recognized this soon.
I have no idea when Nunavut was first established or when the first resident Eskimos came to live in Nunavut.
Nowadays, we are called Inuit and probably if there’s any more changes to the name of Nunavut, then maybe we’ll be called Eskimos again.
Member’s Statement 299 – 1(6): A Need for a Children’s Advocate
I rise today to revisit an issue that I raised during the session in Pangnirtung: the need for a children’s advocate in Nunavut.
It is clear to me Mr. Speaker; from the number of calls I have been getting and the number of people who have spoken to me on this issue since I visited Pangnirtung, that many people of Nunavut see this as a priority need.
(interpretation ends) In response to my question in the House in October, the Minister of Health and Education indicated that his department was in the process of reviewing legislation.
I’m sorry Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Health and Social Services indicated that his department was in the process of reviewing legislation from other jurisdictions such as Newfoundland and Labrador to see what directions they are moving in.
Mr. Speaker, surely we should not be waiting on the results of the legislative initiatives in other jurisdictions before working on our own.
We want a made in Nunavut Act. Past experience has shown us that adopting a ready-made product from other parts of Canada does not always work, Mr. Speaker, here in our territory.
(interpretation) And once again Mr. Speaker, I urge the government to bring in legislation that would establish a children’s advocate for Nunavut as early as possible.
Member’s Statement 300 – 1(6): Cost of Living and Freight Charges
As they say in English to make your members breathe, a lot of times we do try and do that even though we are elected.
All lot of times when a sensitive subject comes up, it gets kind of sensitive even though they want to oppose the idea, they don’t express it because of the fact that they might not get elected again.
It’s been quite a while since we became Members of the Legislative Assembly, and there has been opposition to getting the fuel shipped from the cheaper contractors considering we are representing the whole Nunavummiut.
We are doing our best to support them because as regular Members of the Legislative Assembly in the past we were having hard time.
We support them because they’re owned by Inuit but considering that, since we’re representing all Nunavummiut we have to see that we do it successfully.
As I am originally from the region of Naujaat, when I was in Naujaat they started the NTCL and we thought that the community was the only one that was visited by a ship. The other communities in Keewatin were admiring that Repulse Bay was the only one that was getting sealift.
Yes, we know the Inuit owned companies should be supported but we also have to consider the Inuit who are on Income Support or who want cheaper fuel.
We also have to be sensitive to their needs, and that’s why I wanted to bring it up so this can be sensed by the people.
We can support either way but we have to keep in mind we are representing our constituents. Thank you.
Member’s Statement 301 – 1(6): Violence Against Women and Elders
Mr. Speaker, on December 6th there is a remembrance of the women that were killed, 14 women that were killed in the University in Montreal.
One of my colleagues made a statement about it.
We have to remember those women, and to do something about violence against women.
I would like to say, Mr. Speaker, it is not just the women that experience the violence; it is also the men as well.
Mr. Speaker, our elders in Nunavut have stated to me many times that when they receive their pension they are threatened by the younger people in their family who want to have their money that they get from their pension.
Mr. Speaker, our elders are scared because of the drugs that are being used in their homes by the younger people, because they don’t know what is happening and they don’t know about the use of drugs.
Mr. Speaker, I wanted to point out my concerns about elders and youth. There seems to be a clash between the two cultures among the elders and youth, we should be reminded that there is a traditional way of life among the elders and there is a modern way of life among our youth.
That seems to be a stumbling block between them and there is nothing wrong with that, it is because the Inuit way of life went through such a fast transition in such a short time that this problem arises. We should remind ourselves that this exists in our life and we should try to resolve it in order to work it out for the betterment of our elders and youth.
Mr. Speaker, I am happy that we will be remembering the women that were massacred and let us remember the elders as well.
Member’s Statement 302 – 1(6): Congratulate Kugluktuk Women’s Volleyball
I rise to congratulate the young women volleyball players from Kugluktuk on their successful trip to Yellowknife from November 22nd to the 24th.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, their participation in events such as the “Spike It Tournament” would not be possible without the dedication and the support of the community volunteers, like Russ Sheppard and Maxime Malmberg, who were the coaches for the team.
Russ goes beyond his role as a teacher and educator at the high school and is a true community role model.
I would like to express my appreciation to him and Maxime for putting their energy into the community.
But of course, Uqaqti, I must tell you about how well the Kugluktuk players performed.
I am very happy to report that the Senior Girls team was first in their division.
Melody Kunelok was selected as the Most Valuable Player.
The Junior Girls team did not bring home a medal but they played hard and very well.
I will say the names to recognize them.
The Senior Girls are made up of, Melody Kunelok, Candace Ivarok, Shawna Taipana, Melissa MacDonald, April Pigallak, and Leah Kamingoak.
The Junior Girls are Andrea Niptanatiak, Shawna Havioyak, Beth-Anne Paneoyak, Niptanatiak, Shirley Boat, Gene Arluk, Shelly Iviarutaaluk. I want to congratulate these young women on their achievements and also commend their coaches for making it all possible.
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Havioyak. Members’ Statements.
Mr. Kilabuk, we missed you.
Member’s Statement 303 – 1(6): Economic Development Funding
I didn’t think the Speaker would see me.
I would like to say I love you to my grandson in Qikiqtarjuaq.
The members know that when we were in Pangnirtung during the session, the place called Kuulik by Pangnirtung is used in the winter to go hunting.
I think all the members realize how hard it is and this has been a concern to the people in my community and we will be hearing answers from the federal government soon on that hunting area.
But I would also inform the Members of the Legislative Assembly that that it’s very hard to try to obtain money because we can’t move the mountains around Pangnirtung as you know, but we can make use of them because we can’t move them.
I’ll use an example, say when we were coming from Rankin Inlet to Baker Lake, we flew at 4,000 feet, only 4,000 feet and I said before, that if we tried to fly that low, we would run into the mountains and it’s, that is possible.
That’s how high our mountains are.
Lastly, we did not get ice right away and it’ll take a while for us to get ice yet in my community and you won’t be able to use it until later on this winter.
The reason I will be informing my constituents because of the need that they have to have and I will give them information again once I get it.
If there are no further Members’ Statements. Moving on to Item 4.
I do not often get to recognize visitors in the gallery.
Today, I do have a few people I would like to recognize and acknowledge from my home community of Arviat; the former Mayor of Arviat, Mr. Peter K., the former mayor.
And also Annie Quirke, the wife of our esteemed Clerk, John Quirke.
And also the unexpected visitors, the sister of Mr. Peter Milliken, the Speaker of the House of Commons in Ottawa is here, working with the hospital for a few days.
Mr. Speaker, we had a good lunch with the Canadian North folk and I would like to recognize the individual that has been very good to us all the time, Eva Onalik.
Speaker: Just so we report it properly in the Hansard, she is not only the sister but I should also have stated her name, it’s Amanda.
First of all I would like say hello to Amanda and my former colleague’s sister.
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker I would also like to recognize in this House in the gallery, Atima Hadlari, who’s my friend and beside Atima Hadlari is Bobby Lyall, originally from Rankin Inlet but now he’s in the Kitikmeot region, and as well Peter Krittiqiluk, Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I would also like to recognize an individual in the gallery.
Like I stated in my Member’s Statement I used to work for Nunasi Corporation for about 6 years and we used to try to get an airline going with the help of NTCL. I would also like to recognize Eva Onalik who is part of the Inuit owned airline.
I would like to congratulate her for making all the people of Nunavut knowledgeable about the company as well the three men that are here, Krittiqiluk I forgot the other two names, I would like to recognize them.
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would also like to recognize, Mr. Speaker the Nunavut Planning Commission members Peter Krittiqiluk, and Atima, as well Bobby Lyall.
I used to be a Nunavut Planning Commission member and I know Mr. Lyall has been the Chairman and is still is.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my colleagues and Mr. Anawak recognized one of my constituents prior to me, but I would like to recognize Atima Hadlari, a friend of mine and as well, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize two other constituents that are working diligently in our Inuinnaqtun interpreters booth, and that’s Henry Ohokanoak and James Panioyak who all members know.
I would also like to recognize at this time, the individuals that I met when I first moved to Cambridge Bay; Bobby Lyall and also Peter K., who served as a mayor and regional council deputy speaker.
I think we were in different things over the past year.
I recognize myself first as Peter K. and also Peter K. beside me. Mr. Speaker I would like to recognize somebody whose voice we all have heard, that is Naimee Kilabuk Bourassa.
She’s one of the interpreters.
I don’t usually recognize people in the Gallery.
I would also like to recognize Atima Hadlari, and also beside Atima, I would like to recognize Bobby Lyall, and a good friend of mine, Peter K. Welcome.
I would also like to recognize the people who have already had recognition. I used to work with years ago, Bobby Lyall, whom I have known for quite some time and he used be to in the negotiations with us.
We use to fly quite a bit together.
When I was in Taloyoak the last time, he took me out caribou hunting.
I would like to thank him for letting me shoot a caribou.
The other individual Peter K. Peter Krittiqiluk, I would like to recognize.
He was also involved in the Nunavut negotiations as well.
He is still a member of the council.
He should be able to teach the members of this Legislature.
I have known him for quite some time when I was a negotiator; I used to work with him.
He is still working for the people of Nunavut.
It is not very often that I get up and recognize visitors in the Gallery when they are not from my home town.
When I come to Iqaluit, I feel very welcome from certain people.
I would like to recognize Eva Onalik for her hospitality when all the MLAs come to Iqaluit.
I would like to recognize her for going into the community of Baker Lake and trying to recruit staff for Norterra.
I would also like to thank her for lunch this afternoon.
I certainly hope Ed Picco’s Canadian North shirt fits.
On Item 5, are there any further Recognitions of Visitors in the Gallery?
Mr. Speaker, I don’t get an opportunity to welcome people in the Gallery very much of an International stature.
For today, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome to the Gallery a couple of people.
First of all, a person who is statistically known internationally, a constituent of mine and a long-time friend, Mr. Jack Hickes.
Welcome to the Gallery Jack.
And also I would like to welcome to the Gallery Mr. Bobby Lyall. Bobby and I had quite an experience about 15 years ago in Yellowknife with a shopping cart full of groceries at the Explorer Hotel.
Bobby can tell you about that later.
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to welcome to the Gallery, sitting behind Minister Thompson, Ms. Annie Quirke. I can say in all sincerity and seriousness that we as members used to go to Yellowknife, my wife, I know at certain times had the opportunity to experience the hospitality of Mr. and Mrs. Quirke with country food and so on.
Plus, Mr. Speaker, when I was at the Parish Hall last Saturday night, Annie was singing, she has a wonderful voice.
She and Member Williams invited me to the choir, I think it is tomorrow night.
I will try to make it, if not tomorrow, then probably I will be in Church singing with them.
Question 299 – 1(6): Study on Artifacts
In my Member’s Statement, as I did not know when the North was inhabited by the Eskimos, yesterday the Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth Minister talked about the study that was done in Igloolik.
They did a study on an artifact which was 4,500 years old, that artifact was that old.
I would like to ask what that artifact was; was that an old camping ground, or was that an Inuk human being or a non-Inuit human being that was found?
Hon. Jack Anawak (interpretation): I am very pleased to respond to his question.
Inuit have inhabited the north for over four thousand five hundred years.
The Inuit endured hardship and lived here.
They studied the artifacts through a microscope to find out the age of the artifact.
That’s why I am very happy to answer his question because we are able to let Canadians and other people of the world understand how long we have been inhabiting the north.
They estimate that for about four thousand five hundred years we have inhabited the north.
But as we define it, Inuit culture and language has been in the north for thousands of years.
The new language or the culture we use now, non-natives their culture is less than hundreds of years. The scientists used microscopes to do their research and that’s how they figured out the age of the artifacts.
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): The artifacts that were four thousand five hundred years; can you tell me what they are?
Were they were made of metal, were they made of bones, if he can elaborate those things to me?
The artifacts that were found in the north were artifacts that were owned by Inuit people prior to European people coming in.
Usually they are not made of metal; if it was made of metal, it would probably be found in the Kugluktuk area where they have copper there.
But usually in the higher north, the artifacts usually don’t contain metal.
Usually the artifacts are made of bone and or flint, and they use the flint for cutting, so the artifacts that were found were made from bone but they are not made of metal but they’re made of flint and rock.
As I have stated before, I don’t know when the Eskimos started to inhabit the north, perhaps the Minister of Culture, Language and Youth can elaborate to me when the Eskimos or the Inuit people started to inhabit the north?
Hon. Jack Anawak (interpretation): Before the airlines were introduced.
There has been research done and some testing done and I have been working on these issues back in Rankin Inlet.
As I have stated earlier, we have been inhabiting the north since about three thousand six hundred.
But through microscopic research they are starting to find the results that the older artifacts are deeper in the soil, as they dig deeper they found old artifacts.
This artifact was found in Igloolik in the deeper soil and it’s about 4 thousand 5 hundred years that Inuit people have inhabited the north.
I don’t’ think we can tell you, that’s how long we’ve been inhabiting, at least we can say that we have inhabited the north for 4 thousand 500, but once they find more artifacts that we could probably say that we’ve been here longer.
We have inhabited the north for 4 thousand 500 years or more.
Question 300 – 1(6): Support and Homecare for Elders
Yesterday, I tabled a document in regards to mistreatment of elders.
Perhaps the minister can tell me what position we’re at or what level we are at with the care giving and support for the elders?
Mr. Speaker, at the present time we have three elders’ facilities where we provide 24 hour, 7 day a week care.
We have a facility here in Iqaluit and we have a facility in Arviat and just recently Mr. Speaker, this month I was in Baker Lake and opened up another facility for long term care for elders.