EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Back then when there was illness such as smallpox or measles back in the 1960’s, what we would deem as many Inuit died in the summers in the 1960’s.
Afterwards, as usual, life goes on, we live and we die, and as people pass away there are newer graves.
Now those people that moved the graves, as Inuit we are always closely related to each other in the small communities.
Those people I am speaking about live in Hall Beach and have relatives there.
They worked hard to survive and to help the people of Hall Beach.
Sometimes on hearing their stories, they had no choice but to do the work themselves.
When they had the unpleasant task of moving the graves, they had to wait until the ground thawed enough to dig up those graves.
As I said before it is impossible to exhume the boxes out of the frozen ground.
It was only after the ground had thawed enough that they were able to dig out the graves.
They did a good job of it.
They used their own dog teams to transport the graves to another site.
Some of them had to wait until the ground was thawed enough and had to deal with things like corpses thawing out and flesh falling off and very putrid smells.
They had no choice but to do this job.
Some of the blood that melted off these corpses ended up on their mitts as well, not just their kamotiks but also on their mitts.
After they had transported the corpses they couldn’t eat for days afterwards because the smell of death was so strong, and the sights had been so horrible.
They couldn’t eat.
These people should be commended for having the courage to do a very unpleasant task.
When they were hired to do this unpleasant task, they were told that they would be given a substantial amount of money.
Now in the communities, before they became a hamlet, the settlement council back then was responsible for having the graves moved.
The priest of the Roman Catholic Church back then was also a member of the settlement council.
This is one of the reasons why it was believed the Catholic Church were the ones who initiated the move of those graves.
Mr. Speaker, I want to try and straighten out the record about this.
It is not true that the Americans ordered the graves be moved.
The Americans set up camp about two miles away.
There was a single grave at that site, and they did move that grave.
That has caused an erroneous belief that it was the Americans who took action on the primary gravesite, even though this particular grave was not part of it.
Mr. Speaker, after meeting with the Minister of Health he said that there is funding available now to be accessed to help pay for these types of projects.
So I informed my constituents that there is funding available and that they can apply for funding by filling out a form.
I also informed my constituents that they would finally receive payment after the application is properly filled out.
Of course, that funding is supposed to be used up by the end of March, so they have until the end of March to use up the funds.
The men who had the courage to move these graves have never yet received any payment.
So Mr. Speaker, I wish to extend my gratitude on behalf of those men for the funding that has been made available.
Member’s Statement 162 – 1(5): Language and Use of Inuktitut Words
Hon. Jack Anawak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, I would like to talk about a language issue, the language of southerners.
Many southerners miss what is said in our language.
It's very hard to interpret some words like if you say sarimannaq, or naglinaq in Inuktitut, there's some words that we could interpret into our language, like igloo, qajaq, ulu, inuksuk and others.
But there are some words I think that we have used in the past and they seemed to make sense then but today it doesn't sound right.
Even when you're working with southerners, or if your spouse is white or non-Native, sometimes Inuit might say qablunaaruluit, qablunaaruluk, and a non-Aboriginal might not mind hearing that, not knowing what it means.
But if a white person were to say Inuruluit, the Inuk person would be offended.
But there are some words that are used in the Inuktitut language that are unwelcoming.
I think we need to watch what we say sometimes.
Sometimes we say certain words and unintentionally hurt another person, and I truly believe we need to be more sensitive about what we say as Inuit.
Member's Statement 163 - 1(5): Equipment in Communities
Welcome Mr. Speaker.
I'd like to thank the Deputy Speaker for sitting on your behalf when you were out of town.
Mr. Speaker, I'd like to talk about equipment that is going into the communities.
Mr. Speaker, I've often talked about equipment that we are purchasing in the communities.
Equipment or material that we have never seen before.
Equipment that is essential nowadays, like HF radios that are very important to Inuit.
When you buy an HF radio there are so many things that you have to do. You have to get a licence and you have to be respectable when you are speaking on the radio.
I feel that those kinds of materials have been introduced to the Inuit.
There seem to be a lot of blocks that we come across.
So Mr. Speaker, as the Government of Nunavut I’d like to try to provide communities with equipment that are needed in the communities.
Moving on to Item 4. Returns to Oral Questions.
Return to OQ 055 – 1(5): Community Radio Stations
This is a response to a question asked by Jobie Nutarak on February 28, 2001.
Mr. Speaker, I think today is community radio station day.
I would like to update the members on the community radio station review as per Mr. Nutarak's question regarding community radio stations.
Our department sent out a questionnaire to all hamlets in Nunavut.
We have received some responses but not all of them.
Once we have received all the questionnaires, I will share the results with the members.
I will ensure the member gets the information in the middle of April.
Return to OQ 102 - 1(5): Kugluktuk Language Bureau Trainees
This is a return to an oral question by Donald Havioyak on March 8, 2001.
Mr. Speaker, I am responding to Mr. Havioyak’s request regarding training in our language bureau in Kugluktuk.
Currently we have no training positions in our language bureau as our interpreter/translators are qualified to fulfill the job requirements.
However, we are working with Human Resources to conduct a needs assessment for training opportunities for our entire department.
Return to OQ 110 - 1(5): Historical Resources Advisory Board Meeting
This question was asked by Jobie Nutarak on March 9, 2001.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, this is a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Jobie Nutarak on March 9, 2001 concerning the Historical Resources Advisory Board meeting.
We are scheduling the Historical Board Advisory Meeting in the last week of April.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize two people from my constituency.
The first is Lootie Toomasie, Mayor of Qikiqtarjuaq, welcome.
The second person is Monica Kooneeliusie, my CA in Qikiqtarjuaq, welcome.
I hardly ever have a chance to recognize people, but I would like to recognize this person from our department.
Just recently, during the youth conference in Pond Inlet he was in attendance.
Israel Mablick, welcome.
I would also like to recognize Israel Mablick.
He worked with my son at the gas station and when my son was homesick for our home community, he was very helpful in keeping him happy here.
I would also like to say hi to the community of Rankin Inlet, especially my cousin Misha.
I'd also like to recognize an individual that has already been recognized, Mr. Speaker, Israel Mablick.
He is the Sergeant-At-Arms, Mr. Arreak's grandson and I'd like to welcome him to the House.
I'd like to recognize an individual in the House, William Amagoalik, originally from Resolute Bay.
He's at the window.
He's living in Iqaluit.
The reason I want to recognize him is because he's President of the youth organization.
He's worked a lot with the youth in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, first of all I'd like to welcome you back to the Chair.
I hope everything is well with your daughter after her operation.
I understand it was good news.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to welcome to the gallery, several people.
First of all, three individuals that just came into the gallery awaiting their opportunity to be in committee of the whole with the health budget.
I know I told them to be here at 2:30.
We're going a bit late, they'll have a chance to meet you later.
First of all the Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Andy Johnson sitting directly to the left of the window.
Next to him in the middle, Mr. Don Maychruk, our Director of Finance, and next to him, a very recognizable individual now, in the Baffin, especially here in Iqaluit, Mr. Glenn Thompson who is the director of the Baffin operations for health and social services.
Mr. Speaker I'd also like to welcome in the gallery, a writer, a professor, a person originally from England, she's been doing many, many studies on the form of government that we have here in Nunavut.
She's sitting next to a guy who I've caught lots of fish with, I've camped with him, he's stayed at my house, he's an old family friend, many times we've had good conversations.
He was based in Igloolik, I think he's still Igloolik.
He works for Culture, Language, Elders & Youth, excellent youth representative, Israel Mablick.
Directly behind him, Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize an old friend of mine from the Baffin Region Futures Society, back in the late 80s, he used to be the vice Chairperson, I was the Chairman, Mr. Lootie Toomasie to the gallery.
I'd like to recognize an individual that is from my constituency, Sandy Akavak. He was an RCMP officer, and the individual sitting beside him, I welcome them both to the Legislative Assembly.
Speaker: Welcome.
Question 199 – 1(5): RFP Kivalliq Dental Services
I'd like to welcome you back and hope your daughter recovers successfully, I think she will.
Mr. Speaker, my question today is to the Minister of Health.
Last week I was asking him questions on Kivalliq dental services.
Today Mr. Speaker, I'd like to ask the Minister of Health, I know there is an RFP going out for Kivalliq dental services.
When the RFP goes out, can the minister make sure that the communities in the Kivalliq get more dental visits.
Mr. Speaker, this gives me an opportunity first of all to clarify an answer that I gave on Monday to Mr. McLean.
Indeed, we contract Nunavut Dental Services, NDS, for the delivery of dental services in the Keewatin.
Of course the fee schedule is set by the NIHB.
After saying that Mr. Speaker, one of the things that we would be looking at in the RFP is to increase scheduled visits from where we are now, to where we would like to be with the dental services and where it is going to be. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
That’s the answer I was looking for so I don’t want to belabour this question any more.
Can he affirm that Baker Lake will get more dental visits.
I think I can confirm that now Mr. Speaker, the information that I gave the member the other day is that based on the schedule, we had 85 visit days I think it was, in Baker.
That has been moved to 108 days for this fiscal year.
So he has his increased dental services.
Though I can’t say categorically at this present time that the services will be increased a huge amount or anything.
The RFP is not out and that’s not going to be done for another three months.
But it would be our intention Mr. Speaker, to do exactly what the member has asked.
I know it is a hard question to answer.
But if there is a need there, if my constituents need more dental visits and the dentist is there and we are paying their airfare from Winnipeg and we are paying the hotel accommodations, I don’t think it would be a great, great expense to have them stay there and do the work that is needed for the community.
So can the minister confirm that the dentists will finish the work that has to be done in Baker Lake.
Hon. Ed Picco: Yes, Mr. Speaker.
Question 200 – 1(5): Mental and Physical Disabilities
Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to the Minister of Health & Social Services.
In Nunavut, there are a lot of people that have mental illnesses and some of them have physical disabilities.
I just wondered how those people could be given more assistance and what things has the Minister of Health been doing to assist those people with disabilities.
Speaker: The Minister responsible for Health & Social Services.
Mr. Speaker, if I understood the question correctly, the member is referring to mental disabilities.
Mr. Speaker, it is fair to say in the context of the question that the member asked that the government has not done enough in the way of mental services over the past X number of years.
Not just now with the Government of Nunavut, but with the Government of the NWT.
Indeed, Mr. Speaker, as we know there isn’t one mental health facility anywhere in the territory.
At the present time we have one room set aside at the Baffin Regional Hospital for people when there are problems with mental illness.
That’s why Mr. Speaker, in our budget we have put money aside to renovate and enhance the old women’s shelter for Nunavut for mental illness.
Everyone in this House knows that some people at BCC have mental illnesses, that’s the reason why they are there.
So Mr. Speaker, we have put mental health workers in most of our communities, in some cases Mr. Speaker, we have actually put psychiatric nurses in communities to help deal with some of these problems on the ground at the local level.
Some people don’t just have mental disabilities.
There are also people that have physical disabilities. The people with physical disabilities should also be assisted more in Nunavut.
I just wondered if that has been the work of the Department of Health and Social Services to see what kind of further assistance they can receive.
Mr. Speaker, as you know one of the first initiatives of the Government of Nunavut was actually to fund the Nunavut Council for Disabilities.
The first Executive Director was Meeka Kilabuk who now is President of QIA.
They have been proactive in some of the work that they have been trying to do.
I have met with them and indeed Mr. Speaker, a week and a half ago many of the members here were supposed to meet with the Council, but because of some itinerary problems, that meeting couldn’t be held.
Mr. Speaker, we are following up our work with the Council for Disabilities for those people who are suffering from physical disability.
We are working proactively with them.
It is an initiative Mr. Speaker that goes government wide.
Not just for the Department of Health and Social Services.
But would there ever be a facility for those people with disabilities here in Iqaluit.
Yes Mr. Speaker, we do have those facilities right now in Nunavut.
An example Mr. Speaker, for severely mentally handicapped people, young adults and children that we have talked about in this House Mr. Speaker, is St. Therese’s Home.
Here in Iqaluit we also have some homes as well in the Keewatin, where we have homes set aside for people with severe physical disabilities.
One of the things we'd like to do Mr. Speaker, when the new Baffin Regional Hospital is built for this region and for Nunavut is to have some type of physiotherapy set up there on a permanent basis where we would be able to do some physiotherapy work with people with physical disabilities.
That is the goal Mr. Speaker, of the Department of Health and Social Services.
At the same time Mr. Speaker, we do provide physiotherapy whether it is in Winnipeg for the Keewatin residents or in Yellowknife or indeed in Edmonton for the Kitikmeot residents.
The Baffin region has the actual hospital here with a regional physiotherapist or in Ottawa for people that need that.
Just to get some more clarification from the member.
Would you be able to look into all the communities in Nunavut to see what kinds of mental illness the population of Nunavut has and the kinds of disabilities there are in each community.
Mr. Speaker, the answer to that question is in two parts.
One Mr. Speaker, is that through the home and community care program that we are launching in partnership with the regional Inuit organizations and NSDC, there will be an opportunity where we will be able to train people at the local level.
Their salary dollars will be budgeted through programs from the federal government to be able to deliver care and other services for people who need that at the community level.
The second part of the question Mr. Speaker, depends on what facilities we have at the local level.
For example, in the member’s community we do have a good operating wellness centre and programming in Clyde River.
That type of program and services maybe if we move farther along Mr. Speaker, we would be able to enhance the programs and services at that centre to all the residents.
That is something that we are looking at throughout Nunavut.
Question 201 – 1(5): Funding for Youth Abroad Program
My clock is not working, so I don't have a time limit.
I made my member's statement on Nunavut Youth Abroad.
I think we have to make sure that the young people of Nunavut can take advantage of youth going abroad in Canada and other countries.
My question is directed the Minister responsible for Culture, Language, Elders & Youth.
I think that the Nunavut Youth Abroad program is being funded by his department.
In 2001/2002, will there be any more funding for Nunavut Youth Abroad.
The program, Nunavut Youth Abroad, I'm not sure what the numbers are but there is some funding available to Nunavut Youth Abroad.
Perhaps if he could clarify his question, exactly what he's talking about, which youth.
I made a member's statement earlier on about the Nunavut Youth Abroad program.
They travel to the provinces and they go abroad to European countries. That's who I'm talking about.
Under the 2001/2002 budget, Nunavut Youth Abroad can request funding from my department.
We will be providing information through Nunatsiaq News and other media.
Last year we provided up to 15 thousand dollars for this program for Nunavut Youth Abroad.
But at this time, April 23 will be the last day for them to request funding from us.
Those 14 youth that are taking training in the Canadian cities, we assisted four of them to go abroad.
I wish to thank the minister for the response he gave me.
As I understand it, are you saying the funding will be available after April 1.
What I am saying is the deadline for applications for funding is at the end of April.
Mr. Puqiqnak (interpretation): The way I understand it, say one of my communities, Taloyoak for instance have applied for 58 thousand dollars to send students on exchange trips.
They have requested funding.
The proposal has been rejected.
I do not know why the proposal was rejected.
Could they be given a reason why their funding was not approved.
These applications for funding are for anyone who applies for it.
If they wish to apply for funding, they could still apply for funding.
Question 202 - 1(5): Radio Questionnaire
I just want a clarification because I posed some questions to the Premier and he told me some ministers were going to respond to my question.
So I thought my questions were going to be disregarded.
So I will just put my questions together.
I thought my questions were going nowhere but apparently, there was a response to the question that was posed on February 28 and again on March 9.
I want to thank the minister for responding to my question.
The minister made his remarks about the radio stations.
I was glad to hear his response to my question.
Now this letter has been forwarded to the hamlet offices in the communities.
There are communities who have radio societies in their communities and there are some communities who don't have radio societies.
Will those radio societies be getting a copy of this letter that Mr. Kattuk sent to the Hamlet Councils.
In response to his question, we will be forwarding a copy to the Hamlet Councils.
How long will it take for radio societies to receive this letter.
Will it take a whole year or two years.
How long.
There are questionnaires in the communities already.
Some have already been returned.
Some of the questions on the questionnaire have been answered and returned. Perhaps in the next month we will have a better idea of what issues there are in every community in terms of radio, local radio stations and radio societies.
Now I'm not saying exactly when these projects will take place but somewhere in the near future.
When there was a question posed to him earlier he mentioned somewhere in May.
So it will actually come true after May, when he's consulted with the communities.
After he's reviewed the questionnaires are we going to see something in place by May.
I know that this is my last supplementary but he said that he will be sending us information out by mid-April.
Will he be informing us when we have our next session in Cambridge Bay.
Will he give us information or update the information as to what has taken place so far.
I stated earlier when the members return to their constituencies they could help me, if they are willing to help me, they could ask their constituents about the questionnaires.
If the community has not sent in their response, the members could help me by asking their respective communities to submit the questionnaires.
I'm not exactly sure how many questionnaires have been returned but if their communities and their constituents have not returned this questionnaire yet, I would like to ask their assistance in getting those questionnaires back.
Question 203 - 1(5): Funding for Grave Workers
Last Friday when I spoke in English I told my colleague that I hoped he would sleep well after and I am back here today.
Now, in regards to my earlier remarks, I have a few more questions because we are nearing the end of March.
We are very near the end of March.
Yes, I made some remarks but I just wanted to add that these men were temporarily employed for about two weeks.
Back then they were still travelling by dog team.
These men had to take two weeks off their hunting to provide for their families in order to move those graves.
This employment opportunity was appealing because they were promised a substantial amount of money.
Since not all of the funding has been used up, is there any more funding for this type of work.
Mr. Speaker, I'm very pleased the member went home and had a good holiday and he's back and again asking some of these questions and I'll try and answer them in as much detail as possible.
I think the member is referring to the contribution agreement money that we have for wellness and healing.
There is some money left in that fund for this fiscal year.
After saying that Mr. Speaker, that money as I said, is used for closure, for bringing closure for community wellness issues.
For example, we helped out with a reunion with that money.
So the minister is saying that there is still some money to compensate the communities.
Mr. Speaker, what I said, the member asked about the funding and I explained the situation with the fund.
I believe yesterday, from the Premier's office, we've been in contact with the Hamlet of Hall Beach who have sent written documentation to me as the Minister of Health & Social Services on some of the information surrounding the burial.
Mr. Speaker, I have that in front of me.
The member has seen it.
The hamlet did not approach the Government of Nunavut for funding to pay for salaries.
What the hamlet had asked for, Mr. Speaker, by motion was a little bit different than that.
Mr. Speaker, I can table the document I guess later, but the motion asks for, the hamlet council asks;
Therefore be it resolved that the hamlet council asks for support and that they be compensated being the gravediggers, by the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development.
Mr. Speaker, what I've been talking about, what Minister Anawak talked about when he was the Minister of Justice previously and Community Government & Transportation, and what we asked the hamlet yesterday is how can we help bring closure to this traumatic incident with the people in Hall Beach who had done an excellent job in the 1960s, I'm not sure of the date, of moving the graves.
I appreciate the minister's response.
He stated that the assistance would be made available.