EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
We started holding hands because we got really scared.
We knew that it wasn’t humans doing that because it was really foggy.
We were holding our hands together. When we finally could see the tents we weren’t scared anymore.
My friend dared that if any thing wanted to materialise before us it was okay.
Since I was younger I could not do anything to stop him from wishing for that.
At that time we used to have clothing made of army surplus clothing that used to be lent to the community.
I was wearing those big army boots, which were quite huge for me. They were way too big for me.
As I was saying, we were holding hands and telling the fog to make something appear before us.
My friend was saying, “go ahead and appear before us”, when we heard someone say yes at our back. Then we started running away from that voice behind us. I started running so fast I threw my other boot away and I started to cry.
I got really scared.
I left my one boot behind and we had to go get it afterwards.
The Belcher Islands have a lot of ghosts and spirits.
I don’t know if I should be telling you this but some Sanikiluaq residents have visited the spirits and others are said to have children from the spirit world.
Everything I have said today is true.
>>Laughter & Applause
Member's Statement 313 - 1(5): Concerns Over Legends
I will be speaking about a concern of mine.
The film Atanarjuat, which is of an Inuit legend, has been shown through the United States and other parts of the world.
It has been hugely successful, winning many awards.
The concern that I wish to raise is whether the success of this Inuit made film could entice southern filmmakers to use Inuit legends and stories for their films.
I will be raising this issue with the government to see what they will be doing to ensure that films about Inuit legends are made by Inuit, not southerners.
I also just want to add that the previous story told by my colleague is a familiar one to me.
In my region we have similar stories about ghosts and spirits.
So that is my statement Mr. Speaker.
Member's Statement 314 - 1(5): Recognition of Police Officers
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to make a statement regarding the RCMP officers in our communities.
They work hard in our communities although not all people are friendly towards them.
I want to recognize the work that the RCMP officers do.
Although their job is very hard, they do very well in the communities and I just wanted to recognize the hard work that they do and although don't know always about our culture, many of them bring in their families to live with us.
They are there to protect the people when needed and I appreciate that they move into our communities.
In our community when things get tough, they are the people to call upon.
I would encourage all the people to be friendly towards them.
I also recognize that they go to schools and talk to the children about their work and I really appreciate that.
I just would like to recognize them.
Member's Statement 315 - 1(5): Recognition of Rankin Inlet’s Kivalliq Arctic Foods
Hon. Jack Anawak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to remind the members here that we have Girl Guides cookies being sold out there.
Please support the Girl Guides by buying their cookies.
I rise today to talk about a very successful business in my riding.
Kivalliq Arctic Foods started out nine years ago as a processing plant for caribou and arctic char.
Last year, I stood in the House as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Rankin Inlet North and announced that they had achieved European market status.
In October of this year, Mr. Brian Schindel and James Inukshuk of Rankin Inlet attended the largest food show in the world, in Kolng Germany.
Mr. Speaker at this food show, Kivalliq Arctic Food sold northern Canada caribou to three different restaurants and now anticipates more sales into Germany very shortly.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, as a result of this, Mr. Wolfgang Kant of Peter Paulson Import Export have been in active discussions and negotiations for approximately 540 kilograms of caribou meat, that is a little over a thousand pounds.
These are some exciting times for the staff, I am not into kilos yet. Kivalliq Arctic Foods will be participating in the Canada West trip, which was mentioned earlier by our Premier who will be going next week.
Mr. Speaker, today Kivalliq Arctic Foods employs 15 Nunavummiut and enjoys great success.
It is through these Nunavut projects that Nunavut will thrive.
Congratulations to Kivalliq Arctic Foods and keep up the great work.
Member's Statement 316 - 1(5): Recognition of Pangnirtung Volunteers
I thought there were more members before me.
In any event, I rise today to thank Pangnirtung volunteers.
I will name some of them but I do thank each and every one of the volunteers, Mr. Speaker.
The volunteers deal with social issues and are caregivers who work day and night.
A special recognition to the Vestry from the church and recreation volunteers for their crucial work.
They work so hard to give their communities much needed services.
Also to the search and rescue teams and all the hunters who give meat to the elders for free.
There are also many elders and young people who do volunteer work.
I do thank each and every one of them.
(interpretation ends) I would like to end by saying that not only does it make everybody else's job easier Mr. Speaker, it is the right thing to do.
Member's Statement 317 - 1(5): Aged Walrus Meat - Wrong Residence
I thank God it is finally Friday, I am so glad its Friday.
We are tired of being abused.
Mr. Speaker I am a person who really likes walrus igunaq, aged walrus meat, so I would like to talk a little about it.
I shared this story with Ms. Williams and decided to let you all in on it.
It’s not something that is really serious but is rather amusing.
A friend brought me some igunaq from out of town but was not really clear about where I should pick it up.
I didn’t know where the residence was where this friend was staying.
On Saturday morning I went to go pick up my igunaq, as I vaguely knew the location of the house. I had been told that it was inside a box outside this house by the door. When I approached the house I started looking for the box.
I poked around and started opening boxes and also looked in the porch.
All I kept finding was garbage.
In frustration I started knocking loudly on the door.
I think I woke the individual up, I’m sure I did, as he opened the door abruptly. It was a Qallunaaq fellow, wrong house and person.
Sometimes I do artwork and do portraits of my colleagues here in the House.
I want to show this rendering of the individual who opened the door, it's for members eyes only.
He was naked and smoking profusely.
I apologize to that individual and I won’t mention the name or location.
Member's Statement 318 - 1(5): Anniversary of Speaker’s Election
Mr. Speaker, I want to take you and this Assembly back in time.
Mr. Speaker, back in time to the time of the great epoch of joined continents, of early micro-life on the planet Earth.
Mr. Speaker, then fast forward to the 1950’s, Mr. Speaker, the very, very, early 1950’s, on the east coast of Canada.
A time of renewal and the advent of television and the birth, Mr. Speaker, the birth of a very, very special little boy.
Mr. Speaker, this little boy, from a very hard working and large family, learned the value of hard work at a very early age.
He began to play guitar and work, Mr. Speaker, work at his gift of gab, of his schmooze-king abilities.
He again transformed, Mr. Speaker, to a young man.
Mr. Speaker, as a young man he became a successful university student.
And Mr. Speaker, this young boy, now a man, became feisty and dedicated to helping people.
He became elected, Mr. Speaker, in 1995 and was known as the David, the David of the Assembly, referring to the biblical David and Goliath.
Mr. Speaker, move forward, this Assembly move forward, the people of Iqaluit, Mr. Speaker, the people of Nunavut now will move forward with me to today.
Mr. Speaker, today this young boy, a student and adult is now a serene and judicious moderator.
He is calm, he has transformed again this time into our Speaker.
Congratulations Mr. Speaker, on the anniversary of your appointment to the Chair as Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, congratulations on your nineteen months, to me it seems to be nineteen long, long months in that honourable chair.
You are bringing a tear to my eye.
Member's Statement 319 - 1(5): Construction of Road & Bridge in Kugaaruk
At times we have to express our appreciation, so therefore I rise today on behalf of the people of Kugaaruk.
I want to express my appreciation for the construction of the road and the bridge in Kugaaruk.
The people of Kugaaruk can now gain access to hunting, fishing and recreational areas, as well as the great potential for tourism.
The road and the bridge construction links Kugaaruk and Barrel Lake. The road and bridge project in Kugaaruk will greatly enhance the livelihood and economic prosperity of residents of Kugaaruk.
Mr. Speaker, I invite all my colleagues and their staff to visit, rent an all terrain vehicle, just to try out the new road and bridge in my hometown during the summer.
Once again, thank you to the Government of Nunavut and thank you too, Mr. Speaker.
I would like to recognize an individual from Iqaluit who, an elder.
She has always been frank and honest to me, Inuapik Saggiatok.
I would like her to feel welcome.
I would like to recognize some individuals in the House today from the Status of Women Council.
Madeleine Komoartuk, Lea May, Maureen Dougherty and their co-ordinator, Rhoda Ungalaaq.
I would like to recognize this morning in the gallery, some of the people that are very active about our social welfare.
Lea May from Arctic Bay.
She has been a teacher for quite some time.
Madeleine Komoartuk, I would like to recognize her from the Status of Women Council.
Maureen Dougherty, she used to teach in Nanisivik and she always used to tell me how healthy you have to be in order to be a social worker.
Also, Ms. Ungalaaq who has been a teacher for quite some time.
They are very involved with family issues and healthy family units in Nunavut.
When I was a child, I remember that we used to come here on a Sky-van airplane and I have fond memories of our elder that our Premier just recognized, Inuapik Saggiatok.
I always remembered her and her husband who is now deceased.
I would also like to recognize Madeline Komoartuk from my constituency.
Speaker: Thank you. Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery.
I’d like to recognize someone in the gallery.
A person that is known as a writer, author, a Yellowknife city councillor and sometimes known as a bit of a manure disturber.
But an all around good guy Dave McCann.
Mr. Speaker, I to would like to welcome Rhoda Ungalaaq and Mrs. Saggiatok to the Assembly.
And a special old friend of mine a community activist, a volunteer and long time adult educator with me and now working at the College.
Ms. Maureen Doherty.
And Mr. Speaker I would like to welcome sitting behind someone that you just introduced and it is very difficult for me to introduce this gentleman.
As you know Mr. Speaker, and Members of the House, he is the author of the Canadian best seller the NWT Cargo Cult Users Manual.
And he is working on a sequel of that book called the Cargo Cult De-programmer.
He is a politician, a businessman, he is well known nationally and internationally.
A founding member of the Nunavut Arbitration Board Mr. Speaker.
He had so many awards I haven't time to mention all of them today.
I really want to welcome him to Iqaluit, to Nunavut and to the gallery.
I understand that he is now the Deputy Mayor of Yellowknife.
A man that Mr. John Todd once called farther to the right than Attila the Hun.
He is the one and only Mr. Speaker and a good friend of yours, a good friend of Nunavut Mr. David McCann.
Question 319 - 1(5): Health Committees of Council Funding Increase
I would like to direct a question to the Minister of Health and Social Services.
In his Ministers’ Statement, he stated that Health Committees of Council in the communities are getting more funding to the tune of 5 thousand to 12 thousand dollars.
I just wondered what he means when he says they'll be getting the funding depending on the size of the community.
What does the population have to be in order to get a certain amount of money.
Minister responsible for Health and Social Services, Minister Picco.
Mr. Speaker, when we first initially set up the Committees of Council, we gave each council 5 thousand dollars.
That included the small communities of Grise Fiord right up to Iqaluit.
All communities received 5 thousand dollars.
In consultation with the Standing Committee on Health as well as the mayors on each visit I had to communities, they said that it wasn't enough.
So we came up with a formula based on population for the increase.
For instance if a community has a population of one thousand, would that community get 12 thousand dollars.
Mr. Speaker, for example the largest communities in Nunavut, Rankin Inlet for example, has gone from 5 thousand to 10 thousand dollars.
Pond Inlet Mr. Speaker, has gone from 5 thousand to 7 thousand 500 dollars.
A community like Arviat Mr. Speaker, has gone from 5 thousand to 7 thousand 500 dollars.
So it is based on population and we thought that was the fairest way to do it.
Again, we will look at it at the end of this fiscal year to see how the money has been spent again, and to see if there has to be an enhancement.
Question 320 - 1(5): Reason for Increase in Health Committees of Council Funding
To the same Minister of Health and Social Services about the size of the community.
I wanted to ask why the more populated communities have to get more funding.
Is it because they have more things to do.
What is the reason for that.
Mr. Speaker, the criticism from the communities was that 5 thousand dollars was not enough.
The communities themselves, for example when a smaller community got 5 thousand dollars and you went to a larger community like Baker Lake or Rankin or Pang or Pond, it wasn't fair for the size of their community to get the same amount of money for the committee doing the same type of work.
So in discussion with committees, councils and mayors, we decided to look at a population based formula, and therefore Mr. Speaker, we increased it based on population.
But it is something that we are again willing to review.
Some communities have been very active and needed more money, for example in Clyde River, I think they have gone to 6 thousand dollars for that community.
I feel that this is not fair at all.
We have to treat everybody equally whether they are more populated or not.
My other question is whether the larger communities have larger committees within their councils.
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate what the member is saying. But at the same time, we have to realize that there is a limited amount of money.
The majority of communities, when we polled the 26 communities, from the Standing Committee themselves, when I have gone to communities, when I went to the Council of Mayors last year in Rankin, the recommendations from almost all groups was that the 5 thousand dollars was not enough for the larger communities.
Mr. Speaker, some of the communities for example, don't even use the money for honoraria, they actually use the money to buy materials, supplies, to have radio programs, community feasts and so on.
It is up to each hamlet to use that money.
We thought the best way, in consultation, we thought the best way was to look at a number based on population.
But again, Mr. Speaker, as I said, like I promised in this House last year, I would review it, I did, based on population, if it is not working out we will look at it again, Mr. Speaker.
If the minister says that he is going to review it again, that is good.
So all the communities could benefit with the same amount of money to treat Nunavummiut the same whether you are a small community or a larger community.
But I know that, as the people of Nunavut, we are all people, everybody has to make money.
Everybody has to have money, the same amount.
I asked him whether there were more committee members in larger communities than smaller communities.
Mr. Speaker, I believe there were a couple of questions there.
First of all, the member is right, in some communities they have 12 council members.
For example in Cambridge Bay, when we were there last year for the sitting.
Mr. Speaker, what we did as a government, the members when we set up the health committees, we had no money involved, we had no funding arranged for them.
The members of the House said that's not acceptable, you are asking people in communities to take on more responsibility so let's try to give them some funding.
So we came up with 5 thousand dollars based on the budgeted amounts and I said that we would review that recommendation from the Council of Mayors.
In communities we have gone into whether it's been Taloyoak, Gjoa Haven, whether it has been Baker Lake Mr. Speaker, whether it's Arviat or Pond Inlet.
They said the amount of money that was available to them was not enough.
So we looked at a population based formula.
So I am prepared again as I said to review it.
And I think the member has made a good point.
That in all instances it should not be based on population because that is what the Government of Nunavut has said when we look at the federal funding that comes through per capita.
At this time Mr. Speaker it is based on the dollars that were available to me to provide the best solution.
I am willing again Mr. Speaker look at recommendations from the members, from the Standing Committee on Health on any other ideas that they would have, within the same budget context to increase or decrease the amount of monies that are available.
Plus Mr. Speaker, it is very important to point out that the money is not used for honoraria solely.
And the money is not to send people, the money is used for administration, for faxes for using computers.
Maybe it is used for office space.
Each health committee uses the money differently.
That is the uniqueness of the program to help to make it work.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the minister for further clarification.
I would like to ask again whether your department has been more involved in training the committees as to spending money wisely.
Mr. Speaker, The money is given out, for example, when I went to Hall Beach and Igloolik I took the cheque and gave it to the Mayor.
I don't tell the hamlets how to spend their money.
We have done an orientation package with the health committees and they decide the priorities in each community, in each hamlet what the money should be used for.
At the end of the fiscal year they give us a report on that.
And then they gave us a recommendation on the amount that they receive, and that is why it increased.
So the orientation package is in place.
Now we need to follow it up with more orientation to work on different issues.
Question 321 - 1(5): Health Committee Funding in Smaller Communities
It is in respect to the same issue.
The government is aware of the shortage of funding in the communities that exists today.
I am sure the minister is aware of the lack of funding in some departments, in some communities.
One of my communities is suffering because of the lack of funding for programs.
One of my communities is not being represented by your department.
Why isn't my community being represented more.
Speaker: Minister Responsible for Health and Social Services. Minister Picco.
Mr. Speaker, all I can say is we brought in the new amount.
In every instance where I've had the opportunity to meet with the Mayors and Councils, they have been quite pleased.
And again Mr. Speaker following on the recommendations from all the Mayors, including the member's mayor when we were in the meetings in Rankin Inlet, is that they want an increase.
Based on the budget numbers, and every member in the House knows how much money is available, we looked at a population based formula.
Some committees in some communities are doing a lot more with the committee of council and others need more training and we are prepared to do that.
In the member's case all the committees in the member's communities of Grise Fiord, Resolute Bay and Arctic Bay are receiving the money.
It ranges from 5 thousand in the two smaller communities to 6 thousand in the larger.
Mr. Speaker, again I am willing to retake advice from the committees and from the House to see if there is an opportunity to increase the base on something other than population if there is a better formula there.
But we did indicate to the House last year and to the Committees that we would review it and try to increase it, as the members know.
The department provided increased funding through the hamlets.
Have the hamlets been asked whether the funding is enough and were the communities consulted as to the possibility of the funding that they use being increased.
Mr. Speaker, at each regional level, Mr. Speaker, as you know we have regional offices.
There has been consultation with the communities. When we had the orientation packages in all communities, in all 26 communities, one of the concerns that came forward was the amount of funding provided by Health and Social Services was not enough.
The larger communities felt that receiving the same amount of money as the smaller communities, because of the number of social and health issues and so on, that we needed to review the formula.
It was the same recommendation made by the Standing Committee and the members in the House.
Therefore, Mr. Speaker, we did a review based on the information that we received from the mayors, from Hamlets, from members, as well as from the Association of Municipalities, last year when I attended their session, that we increase it and that's what we have done.
So there has been consultation.
I can't say if there has been consultation with every community on their specific amounts, but the formula itself was based on population.
But I am prepared again, to review it and see if we can look at other funding avenues.
But that was based on the amount of money that was available to me in the budget approved by this House.
Supplementary question. Ms. Williams.
Ms. Williams: Mr. Speaker, I would like to know for the communities that don't have a social worker, if this money can be used, because it says in the Minister's Statement regarding Health and Social Services issues and some of the communities don't have a social worker.
Are they using this money for this in the communities.
Mr. Speaker, as the members know when we introduced this policy, we didn't introduce it to pay salaries, we used it for the administration of the committee.
So it wouldn't be used to hire a social worker, for example, Mr. Speaker.
But in communities where we don't have a social worker, we do have coverage from other professionals in other communities.
Just recently, Mr. Speaker, we just had a competition out and we are in the process right now Mr. Speaker, of making job offers to four social workers.
So hopefully, some of the communities that don't have social workers will have them.
Question 322 - 1(5): Update on Baker Lake Group Home Closure
Mr. Speaker, my question today is for the Minister of Health and Social Services.
The issue today has been a long simmering issue in my community regarding the Baker Lake group home that was closed a year ago.
We have a multi-million facility sitting there empty.
I gave the minister responsible, or I asked him a written question and he assured me that the facility would be opening in July.
Now we are almost in December with nothing happening in that facility.
We all know we have tremendous social issues and pressures on his department.
Can the minister update me on that facility.
Minister Responsible for Health and Social Services. Minister Picco.
The Baker Lake Treatment Facility, the final inspection was conducted in October, last month.
Mr. Speaker, the plan is now to look at, should the facility be run as a government building with government employees, or should I do an RFP on the facility and have it run as a private contractor operated like we have in other communities.
So, Mr. Speaker, that's the discussion that is ongoing right now.