EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I would like just inform the House that as I mentioned yesterday that search is still continuing in Kugluktuk for the hunter.
I just want to inform the House, as of today the search is still going on but bad weather is hindering the search.
Also I just want to inform the Kugluktuk residents to visit the family members.
We are thinking and hearing your prayers, we’re thinking of you in our prayers, I just wanted to update the House on this.
Member’s Statement 315 – 1(6): Polar Bears Near Communities
Mr. Speaker I rise today to talk about polar bears.
Ever since I became a Member of the Legislative Assembly, I have spoken numerous times about polar bear quotas and studies and I’m glad to say that some of my colleagues have followed by talking about polar bears.
Mr. Speaker, last summer in one of my communities, the community of Qikiqtarjuaq, there were 14 to 20 polar bears around the community of Qikiqtarjuaq and in my community last summer there were 13 polar bears that were around the community as well.
Mr. Speaker, we’ve had numerous polar bears in our community and a lot of people have not believed us when we talked about the dangers of polar bears.
It’s very dangerous for the children of the communities.
For the people of the community, this has been very worrisome but there have not been any accidents.
I think it was in the 1960’s, there was a mauling by a polar bear; the person that almost got mauled was in danger, and this can happen because of the number of polar bears that are beginning to come to communities.
Mr. Speaker, years ago the polar bears were not as skinny as they are today and they fight amongst themselves for food.
Because of the hungry polar bears, it’s beginning to be very dangerous and something has to be done about it before an accident occurs.
Member’s Statement 316 – 1(6): IQ Beneficial in Nunavut
Mr. Speaker, most Members of the Legislative Assembly know that Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit can be beneficial to the operation of the Nunavut Government, but many seem to think that traditional knowledge belongs to yesterday and only out on the land.
Mr. Speaker, Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit could be helpful to our government.
The Government of Nunavut has many buildings and infrastructure in every community across Nunavut and the Government of Nunavut also uses a lot of money on the heating and operation and maintenance annually for those buildings.
Mr. Speaker, by utilizing traditional knowledge during the winter, this government can save substantial amounts of money on heating and operations cost by providing exterior insulation of buildings with snow.
And this government can save costs on public units, staff houses, health centres and other buildings by providing snow insulation.
Mr. Speaker, this would provide employment in winter for the unemployed at the same time saving money on operations and maintenance for the government using Inuit traditional knowledge.
Member’s Statement 317 – 1(6): Zebedee Nungaq Commentary
I think everyone heard this morning when Zebedee Nungaq went on the radio in regards to traditions when the commercial whalers started coming up north or on the way to China and also when they were searching for the Northwest Passage.
They used Inuit as guides and just recently, when the missionaries and the Anglican priests started coming up, there are some stories about them which we heard this morning.
And we know that they don’t explain the capabilities of Inuit people because they don’t focus on Inuit people because the Inuit people had taken care of them, kept them warm, kept them fed, gave them warm clothing.
We see them in their published reports or published books that they seemed very, very capable.
Last year we talked about Captain Henry Larson; he sailed the ship through the Northwest Passage with the assistance of Joe Panikpakutsuk and Qajaaq and their families.
Some relatives of Qajaaq and Panikpakutsuk are still alive and they took part in that voyage.
The captain and this crew would give up and at times they would act childish. Qajaaq and Panikpakutsuk would take care of the captain while they were trying to travel through the Northwest Passage.
There are many other people, such as Noah Piugaaqtuk, who had travelled from Igloolik to Taloyoak by dog team numerous times.
He would treat whomever he was guiding, these non-natives like a son.
There are very similar things we’ve heard this morning on the radio, there are a lot of mistakes with the story of Inuit, and at times they don’t, in the published books they don’t focus on Inuit people.
So therefore I’ll be asking questions about this at the appropriate time.
If Inuit, if they can include the stories of Inuit who are very capable in helping these people - because these Inuit are still alive today.
Member’s Statement 318 – 1(6): Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit – AIDS/HIV
Even though today is Friday, I don’t think I’ll be talking about something funny today.
I say hello to my relatives in Hall Beach and I’m sure I’ll be seeing you shortly.
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Health & Social Services just made a Minister’s Statement on AIDS and how dangerous AIDS and HIV are.
Yesterday I made a member’s Statement about Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit and our culture, for that reason today, we don’t use Inuit tradition and culture because everything has to be treated confidentially, especially when they are infected with AIDS or some kind of illnesses.
And also according to our rights, we have just recently started using those rights.
In the past Inuit never used their rights because they had to survive.
We all know that human rights are good but at times it hinders and it, at times, has a negative impact.
Yes, if we utilize Inuit culture and tradition on these things then some things could be improved, such things as diseases.
If we treat AIDS culturally, if we deal with AIDS using cultural traditions there would be less concern.
I don’t know if you can understand what I’m trying to say.
Our traditional ways if there was something wrong the Inuit would get together to resolve the situation.
Nowadays, even if we have concerns or problems we can’t even touch them anymore because of confidentiality.
Those are some of the things that run into barriers in Nunavut.
Member’s Statement 319 – 1(6): Services Cut or Decreased in Nunavut Schools
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to describe a situation that should not be happening.
In the territorial capital, which is growing bigger every day, it is shameful that services are steadily being cut instead of increased.
Mr. Speaker, all Nunavummiut, whether they are young offenders, inmates at BCC, special needs students, home schoolers, elders, women in the women’s shelters and daycares or other groups should have decent access to library services.
But Mr. Speaker, due to the lack of foresight and misplaced priorities, all of these groups will now have to go without.
Why is this happening; because over the last few years the funding for library services has been reduced instead of increased.
Currently there is one full time librarian in the Iqaluit Library.
Without additional staffing to help deliver special programs that individual cannot continue to do everything herself.
Mr. Speaker, unfortunately I do not have the time during this short statement to begin to describe the personal security issues faced by individuals working alone at Iqaluit’s public library.
That is an issue for another day.
Mr. Speaker, Iqaluit’s local library is not just a book lending facility.
It’s a place where grade A students could go to learn how to use the library and open the door to learning and knowledge.
It is a place where disenchanted members of society could improve their literacy and get help working on their resumes to get back into the job market.
It is a place where special interest groups could have access to the internet and other learning activities.
Sadly, once again it was the disenfranchised groups of our society that have fallen between the cracks.
Mr. Speaker, in a few short months we will be reviewing the government Main Estimates in this House.
I strongly urge the Minister of Education to look closely at library services as an area for increased funding in the upcoming budget.
As we know, awareness and learning are keys to wellness and self reliance.
We cannot afford to ignore one area at the expense of others.
Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time I will be asking the Minister questions on this issue.
Member’s Statement 320 – 1(6): Tour with Roy Romanow in Pangnirtung
I was rushed trying to standing up.
Mr. Speaker we heard about the Romanow report yesterday.
First of all, I’d like to thank my colleague Minister Picco for going to Pangnirtung with us and also with Roy Romanow.
While we were visiting Pangnirtung, we met with the Health and Social Services Committee at the health centre.
We toured and looked at what kind of challenges the smaller communities face.
During the tour, while Roy Romanow was doing the tour, he stated that he was so proud of the Pangnirtung structure even though the community was small.
There were various projects happening and he said that he envied the community even though it was very small because the structure was done very well.
So therefore, I would like to thank the Health and Social Services Committee in Pangnirtung and the staff.
And also the Mayor of Pangnirtung; during the tour of Pangnirtung, the council members of the municipality took part along with the staff.
Member’s Statement 321 – 1(6): Official Opening of School in Pond Inlet
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Speaker. On November 16th, there was an opening of a school.
The Premier and the Minister of Education were able to come to our community for the official opening.
On behalf of the community of Pond Inlet I would just like to thank them for a job well done.
Member’s Statement 322 – 1(6): Funding from the Federal Government for Aboriginal Issues
Mr. Speaker I rise today to talk about the funding that became available from the federal government.
On January 07th, 1998 the Aboriginal Healing funding was given 350 million dollars and it’s to be used over four years.
This is a substantial amount of money and we are happy that the Inuit within Nunavut took part in the healing process.
Mr. Speaker, we expect that the funding will be soon run out because it was to be used for four years and it was first introduced in 1998.
Mr. Speaker, if they change the criteria in order to obtain funding then there’s some communities that have to be utilized especially in places where their dogs were slaughtered when the federal government first came up.
Our lifestyle had to change, this has to be part of that, and if the criteria are going to be changed, we know that the community hall is very important in our communities, because having a feast or dancing is part of healing.
Maybe Mr. Speaker if they were going to change the criteria, since this is the fourth year, then they should look at maybe community halls in the communities, meeting centres, and they should be considered if there were to be changes.
Return to Question 293 – 1(6): Statistics on Inmate in Outpost Camps
Hon. Paul Okalik: Qujannamiik Uqaqti.
Mr. Speaker, in response to an oral question on November 26th of 2002, from the honourable Member for Kugluktuk, I can advise this House with the following information.
The Department of Justice currently has four outpost camps for adult offenders, three of which are active; these are located in Pangnirtung, two in Kimmirut and Arviat.
At the present time we have one adult offender in the outpost camp in Kimmirut.
The department also has four alternative homes for young offenders, three of which are active.
These are located in Arctic Bay, Pond Inlet, Pangnirtung and Clyde River.
Even though I don’t make too much recognition in the House, there is somebody in the gallery that I know he’s not from Sanikiluaq.
Back in the 1970’s I knew that person.
When I was working for Air Inuit, he used to be my supervisor.
Bill Compton.
I would like to recognize the individuals from First Air and also from Canada Post for their visiting up there today at the gallery.
Question 320 – 1(6): Ultrasound Services for Kitikmeot
I just want to raise a concern, that the residents of Kitikmeot seem to be forgotten at times in terms of the portable ultrasound services. We know it’s a good thing that the ultrasound services are being used in Kivalliq and Baffin region, but it’s a concern that there are no services in Kitikmeot. When will we start using the ultrasound services in Kitikmeot?
Mr. Speaker, we had an opportunity in July when we had an ultrasound technologist here in the region and when you’re looking at opportunities to try to cut down costs and at the same time maximise economies of scale and allow that person to be able to travel.
We only started in July with a trial program.
We have just talked about it this morning where that person had seen over 200 patients outside of Iqaluit, which meant that these people did not have to travel to Regional Hospitals for services.
We saved almost 200 thousand dollars.
I think, Mr. Speaker, that the usage of the ultrasound technology to travel to the communities has been a success.
I would suggest to you, Mr. Speaker, that I will be trying now to move forward in a productive manner, as directed by some of the Members of this House, to see if there is an opportunity to have this same service available in both the Kivalliq and the Kitikmeot.
Thank you for your response to part of my question, Minister.
It is good to hear that you are going to be trying to get these services in our region.
My question is when will you have the ultrasound services available in the Kitikmeot region?
Mr. Speaker, this was a position that was a funded PY in the organizational chart of the department.
So it was a budgeted position.
We decided to take that budgeted position and see if there was an opportunity for cost savings by sending them out into the field.
There has been.
I would suggest to you again that is the direction that we would move into at the department.
At the same time those budgeted dollars have to be approved.
I will be working, Mr. Speaker, within the budget framework of the department to make sure that there is an opportunity, not just for the Kitikmeot, but also for the Kivalliq, to make sure that there is money available to have the ultrasound technology position.
So that person can be a Regional Ultrasound Technologist, and sent into the communities.
Not only to save money, Mr. Speaker, but to make it better for families, so that women would not have to leave their communities, just to go and have an ultrasound and go back to their communities.
So we would be moving in that direction.
Thank you for your response, Minister.
My question again, Mr. Speaker, is when will we have the ultrasound services in the Kitikmeot?
As you stated that this is a new program as it only started in July, but my question is when will this service be provided the Kitikmeot?
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the Member’s enthusiasm and support for the position.
Again this was a trial run, in July we had the positions on the ground.
It was a fully funded position.
That is why we were able to do it here.
I would have to make sure that with the support of the Finance Minister and the Cabinet...
The Finance Minister I noticed just now was quite pleased with the questions asked, being a representative for that region, and all the other regions, Mr. Speaker, Nunavut as a whole.
I would thank you Finance Minister.
Mr. Speaker, I will endeavour to make sure that this position is in place.
I don’t know when that will be because I have to have the proper resources to do it.
I don’t want to start a position and then in six months to have to take the position out because there wasn’t a fully funded budget and so on for the position.
That would not be acceptable, that would not be fair to the Members, or to the people in the region, or to the people of Nunavut.
Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I will make sure that when this initiative comes forward, and I think, Mr. Speaker, that we have done something good here at the Department.
It has been a huge benefit and uptake to the vocation.
At the same time this Ultrasound Technologist has been training local staff in the communities too.
Thank you, for your response, Mr. Minister.
As you stated, you started this in July.
What time frame do you have for this program since July?
When will you complete this program as to the quality of services for the ultrasound in Nunavut?
Mr. Speaker, what I’ve tried in the members’ community of Kugluktuk is to try to help them out when there is a shortfall of funding like what we were able to do with the wellness coordinator.
I would suggest to you, Mr. Speaker, that we will be able to look at opportunities that present themselves.
The trial run would be for about 6 months.
We’re 4 months into the program; we’ve already seen some excellent results, more than we expected.
So I would like to put the same type of program which is for the south into the other two regions and make it a Nunavut wide program.
Mr. Speaker, I am sure that we’ll have an opportunity to discuss that at budget session time.
At the present time, I don’t have the allocated funds or PY, LPY’s for that matter and that’s something that we will be able to look at in cooperation with the capital projects and so on.
Before we proceed, I’d like to acknowledge a resident of Baker Lake, a constituent of Mr. McLean’s that came after recognition of visitors in the gallery.
A well known artist, former MLA, Mr. William Noah.
Question 321 – 1(6): Corrections on Inuit Oral Legends
I’d like to direct my question to the minister of CLEY in regards to my statement that a lot of times the Inuit stories that they tell are not quoted properly in books especially a while back, maybe 2-300 years, it has been about 2-300 years.
I wonder if the minister has considered compiling corrections where the mistakes have been made in the stories or that were omitted to fix the problem, if there were mistakes.
And I thank the member for raising this concern and a lot of us have felt, especially if we’re reading books in regards to whalers or mining, it’s clear that lot of the explorers wouldn’t have survived if they didn’t have the company of Inuit.
Around Repulse Bay there is a stone house which was made by John Ray and he was one of the first explorers who wintered up here and was saved.
The only reason that he stayed that long was because he was assisted by Inuit.
And on the comment that the member made, the Minister of Education and I discussed that this is a very good idea, so we will be pursuing it and communicating with each other to work on this because they were exploring back then so we’ll have to make corrections.
Mr. Arvaluk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker for a good response.
Hopefully this will materialize not just locally.
We are getting behind because our elders are going and even the younger generation didn’t experience it so we only hear about it from books or from stories.
Actual people who participated can tell us what things were omitted.
I’d like to ask this spring, once we start dealing with O&M, I wonder if that funding could be made available so we can start preparing for it?
Like I said, my colleague, the Minister of Education, and I will be looking into this as soon as possible.
I don’t know what it will entail but we feel strongly about our Inuktitut language, whether it’s in school or the whole of Nunavut.
This would be very beneficial to the residents so we’ll treat this as a priority, realizing because of what the member said, it’s very true that we are losing our elders.
We know about the history.
History is not always written down the way it happens.
What I would like to see are accurate stories that we could use in history.
And I would like to ask another question Mr. Speaker.
Will the minister be working with the Department of Education and the Cabinet as a whole to get direction to put correct those history books and libraries of the explorers as to how they were helped by the people of Nunavut, the Inuit?
Is that what you’re going to do?
We think about those kinds of things but because we have not organized it we don’t do it right away. I will take the member’s question and we will start to do the things that the member asked us to do; especially about the Kajak family and the others that helped out on the ship through the Northwest Passage.
So, this way the Inuit people and the students could start understanding what happened years ago in caring for those explorers.
Question 322 – 1(6): Recognition of Canadian and Federal Legislation in the Territories
Mr. Speaker, I would like to direct a question to the Minister of Justice.
The government provides us with the legislation based on the recognition of Nunavut.
I would like to understand why we have to recognize it in law, even though it’s already a law with the federal government.
In Canada, the division of power means different laws are established by different levels of government, with certain legislative powers exercised by the provinces and the Nunavut government and the other territories.
The Canadian Constitution determines which jurisdiction is responsible for which law.
For instance, criminal law is established by federal legislation and applies to the people of Canada.
The provinces also have authority over other areas of law, such as family law.
There are different types of law that are passed by the provinces and the territories and it provides us with what powers that we have by following the law.
I’m not really clear on his response; perhaps if I can ask another way.
If there was a law that has to be followed by the people of Canada such as the gun law and he informed us before that the gun law is not territorial law and he stated that it’s the federal law.
So if it is passed in the House of Commons then we don’t have any other avenue.
My question; is the federal law, some federal laws, we have to agree to in the House here, that’s what I wanted to ask the Minister.
There are some laws we can amend where they affect our authority, but the gun law is federal legislation under the Criminal Code.
But as Nunavummiut what we have is, there is a deadline for the gun law to come into effect.
Because of that what we are trying to do is protect the rights of Nunavummiut under the land claim agreement to survive by hunting and not be required to have firearm licenses or fees or other restrictions.
That is why we have been challenging the law, the gun law.
We are making this challenge for the protection of the people of the Nunavut and that’s why we have gone to court over the gun law to protect the people of Nunavut.
Yes, I understand a little bit now but at the same time, it’s not that clear.
Mr. Speaker, say for instance a law comes into effect, whether it might be, it could be any law.
They always say it has to be agreed by the Members of this Legislative Assembly. How come it has to be brought before the Legislative Assembly, even if we don’t agree to it, it has to, to take effect?
Why does it even have to appear before the House if it is going to become law regardless of whether we approve it or not?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Yes, thank you Mr. Speaker.
I’m not exactly sure which law he’s talking about but I will use, as an example, the gun law which the federal government is attempting to pass under their legislative mandate.
What we do as a legislature is, we represent our people and we have to pass legislation in this house.
Our argument has always been that this piece of legislation should not be applicable in Nunavut especially as it affects a vast majority of our residents and in particular the rights of the Inuit of Nunavut.
Although this gun law contradicts the land claims agreement and is opposed by the people of Nunavut, this house has to still deal with it as a part of the system within Canada, so that’s why it has to be addressed by the Legislature. But we are attempting to delay it if possible, by using our legislative process. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Final supplementary. Mr. Irqittuq.
Mr. Speaker, I’ll use one example although there are two issues because one is outstanding right now, it is hanging in the balance, so to speak.