EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I believe that we definitely need this healing foundation funding. The funding was used not just in the communities. They would go out camping and they would go to a cabin outside of the community to conduct their healing programs.
It’s easier to go through your issues when you’re outside of the community. They provided daycare or babysitters and had cooks available. This program was running very smoothly and it wasn’t just for employment opportunities.
Elders were included in that program. They had dialogue with the individuals and they would counsel these individuals on how to deal with their pain and anguish.
The only way to start healing is to start talking about our own issues and that was recognized by our elders. This was very important and useful.
We are the aboriginals of this land and we want to see the reinstatement of funding from the Aboriginal Healing Foundation.
It seems that this program was just created and it took a number of years to progress. It took a while for communities to become familiar with the funding application process and the required format for applications. Only after the program had been running for a number of years were some organizations finally able to obtain funding for their projects.
I want to restate that it seems that this program just started for some organizations and now the federal government seems intent on discontinuing the funding. It is sad and unfortunate to hear about this funding cut.
It is not only us, the former residential school survivors, who were hurt by the colonial process as it has impacted many generations down the line ever since Inuit were moved into the communities.
The healing programs have really assisted many of these people to overcome the pain caused by the colonial process.
This matter, which is rarely voiced by other people, continues to inflict pain on me personally even to this day and that’s the campaign of cultural genocide. As an Inuk, a foreign culture and tradition was thrust upon us that we now have to try and maintain in this day and age while our traditions and culture were displaced and marginalized.
As Inuit, our laws, our practices and customs were unacceptable to our colonialists. Every attempt to suppress them only cut the wound deeper on our Inuit identity. This has hamstrung many Inuit because all of our traditions, our laws and taboos were never written but preserved orally.
Due to the particular bias against unwritten laws by our colonial society, none of these traditional laws are in use and only the western societal laws apply today.
This formed part of the healing cycle. The fact that we suffered cultural prejudice and assimilation policies has to be recognized. This impacted more Inuit since we had our very own customs and culture and we had laws for every aspect of our lives.
All of the accumulated knowledge of the Inuit was belittled and set aside.
That is why our attempts to repatriate our Inuit customs and laws are such a priority today. It hurts being forced to live a different culture and lifestyle that is so different from our own.
That is why we sometimes voice our wishes to return to some of our Inuit traditional ways that are complementary and practical in the way we do things now.
Inuit had their own societal laws and practices, and we have retained much of that knowledge.
Today, I urge all Nunavut residents to write, call, and lobby our MP and the federal government to ensure that our concerns and interests are conveyed.
Please send your concerns to our MP in Ottawa and work together with her to try and reinstate the funding for this program.
If we look into the future, this program can make the lives of Nunavummiut less difficult, especially our children and grandchildren.
I ask that all Members of the Legislative Assembly support this motion.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Komoartok. (interpretation ends) To the motion. Mr. Tootoo.
I, too, rise in full support of the motion. I would like to thank the mover and seconder for bringing it forward. I also thank every member for their comments.
One thing that is quite clear, as the mover pointed out, is the devastating effects that we’re dealing with are multigenerational. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that it takes more than two years to address some of those wounds and help people heal.
It’s not like everyone’s better after two years.
I think I know some of the wonderful programs that have been offered. There are programs here in Iqaluit and Pangnirtung. I was recently in Cambridge Bay visiting the wellness centre there that relies on funding through this program.
I got great explanations of some of the great work and great progress that has been made through this funding to help individuals move forward down the road of healing and recovery, through what they have gone through as a result of that.
Mr. Speaker, I know also that the journey down this road to healing is something that takes a lot of time. Not only does it take a lot of time to go through that healing, in some cases, Mr. Speaker, it takes a lot of time and a lot of courage for individuals to even start to take the first step on that road.
I think, the last couple of years, the way some of the successes have come out of these programs, these individuals, programs, and volunteers and the results of those programs are great role models in helping other individuals see, “Okay.
They can do it, I can do it.”
There is light at the end of the tunnel and there is a road.
This is a long journey.
The way I look at it, the two-year funding commitment from the federal government to help individuals along this road and then they paved the road, the road only goes for two kilometres, a kilometre per year of funding, for example, and then it runs into a cliff and then everyone’s standing there. They have been abandoned.
To me, I think and I know it’s something that I have always seen this government, over the last ten years, and our Department of Health, they have always looked at things as they want to try and address the problems at their roots.
As a former health minister said, he wants to go up the river and find out why these things are floating down river.
If we can solve those problems that people have, then in the long run, it will be beneficial and cheaper not only on our government but on the federal government.
Funding like this is an investment into the future.
An investment now will have its yields in the future.
I hope and urge our MP, who was our former health minister, as I believed and pushed in that as a Member of this Legislative Assembly, to remind herself of that or mention that and push that with her colleagues in Ottawa as our federal health minister now that it’s well worth it.
It sure may look like they look at the dollars and cents, but I think continued support and investment at this stage of the game will, if they really look at it, save them tenfold in the future.
I encourage our MP and the health minister to bring that argument to her cabinet colleagues and urge them to change their minds or come up with some funding to be able to continue these valuable programs that are being offered in our communities that I see are just in their infancy.
The number of people who are going through and benefiting from these programs is only going to grow and grow and grow, and it’s going to benefit more and more people.
With that, Mr. Speaker, I again thank the mover and the seconder. I again encourage all members to support this motion and let people know that we will do what we can as representatives of this Assembly to push and urge the federal government to come through and help these individuals to be able to continue on that road to healing and not be left abandoned as a result of a cut in funding.
I rise today too and I would like to thank the mover and the seconder of this motion.
My colleagues have explained in great detail how important this aboriginal healing funding is to Nunavut, all of our communities, and all of Canada.
On behalf of all Arviatmiut who need and use these funds to deal with the hardships of life and the need for healing from the past, I, too, rise today and I would like to state that I will support this motion.
I wish to remind the House that I have no more names on my list.
Does the mover, Mr. Ningeongan, have a last reply?
We are not playing around as the Nunavut government on this issue by voicing our views.
We already know the need for healing because the traditions of our ancestors were put in a state of stasis. We cannot be blamed for that.
I still find myself amazed at how the healing efforts today are bringing back those traditions.
Our sense of cultural pride is slowly returning and is allowing us to acquire the skill for governance and working together among the Inuit organizations that exist here.
Our government is working hard and we are not just giving lip service to this issue this afternoon. We are saying to our MP that we are very serious about this issue.
We are also telling our Prime Minister that we are not beating around the bush.
We have seen the benefits of bridging the gaps in our social fabric. We want to urge and encourage the federal government to reinstate this very important program.
(interpretation ends) All those in favour, please stand and sit down when I call your name.
The vote for the motion is 16 and we have no one opposing the motion.
Let the record show that this motion has been unanimously passed by this House.
Furthermore, I will issue a press release on the passage of this motion. We will take a 20-minute break. (interpretation) Thank you.
>>House recessed at 15:48 and resumed at 16:15
Speaker: Going back to the orders of the day.
Bill 23 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 2, 2009-2010 – First Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Arviat, that Bill 23, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. 2, 2009-2010, be read for the first time.
Bill 23 has received first reading.
Bill 15 – Legal Treatment of Apologies Act – Second Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Arviat, that Bill 15, Legal Treatment of Apologies Act, be read for the second time.
To the principle of the bill. Question has been called. All those in favour, raise your hand.
Bill 15 has received second reading and is referred to the Standing Committee on Legislation.
Bill 16 – An Act to Amend the Judicature Act – Second Reading
Hon. Keith Peterson: Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Arviat, that Bill 16, An Act to Amend the Judicature Act, be read for the second time.
Bill 16 has received second reading and is referred to the Standing Committee on Legislation.
Bill 17 – Justice Statutes Amendment Act – Second Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Arviat, that Bill 17, Justice Statutes Amendment Act, be read for the second time.
Bill 17 has received second reading and is referred to the Standing Committee on Legislation.
Bill 20 – An Act to Amend Certain Acts Related to Education – Second Reading
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Kugluktuk, that Bill 20, An Act to Amend Certain Acts Related to Education, be read for the second time.
Bill 20 has received second reading and is referred to the Standing Committee of Legislation.
Bill 23 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 2, 2009-2010 – Second Reading
Hon. Keith Peterson: Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Arviat, that Bill 23, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. 2, 2009-2010, be read for the second time.
Bill 23 has received second reading and is referred to the Committee of the Whole.
Bill 25 – Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2010 – Second Reading
Hon. Keith Peterson: Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Arviat, that Bill 25, Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2010, be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, this bill corrects references related to the Northwest Territories and other errors in certain Acts of Nunavut.
Hon. Keith Peterson: Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent of the House to waive Rule 67(2) and have Bill 25 moved into Committee of the Whole.
Speaker: Thank you, Minister. The minister is seeking unanimous consent for Bill 25 to proceed directly into Committee of the Whole.
Bill 25 is referred to the Committee of the Whole.
Second Reading of Bills. Minister Peterson.
Bill 26 – Securities Transfer Act – Second Reading
Hon. Keith Peterson: Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Arviat, that Bill 26, Securities Transfer Act, be read for the second time.
Bill 26 has received second reading and is referred to the Standing Committee on Legislation.
Bill 27 – An Act to Amend the Workers’ Compensation Act – Second Reading
Hon. Tagak Curley (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Amittuq, that Bill 27, An Act to Amend the Workers’ Compensation Act, be read for the second time.
Bill 27 has received second reading and is referred to the Standing Committee on Legislation.
Bills 14, 21, 22, 23, and 25 with Mr. Okalik in the Chair.
I ask that members remain at their seats so that we can proceed directly into Committee of the Whole.
Chairman (Mr. Okalik)(interpretation): I would like to call the committee meeting to order. Prior to starting the committee, I wish to acknowledge Mr. Rumbolt. What is the wish of the committee?
This afternoon, we will continue with the review of the Department of Economic Development and Transportation, followed by the Nunavut Arctic College. If time permits, we will proceed with the review of the Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Rumbolt. Does the committee agree?
Chairman (interpretation): We will resume from yesterday where Minister Taptuna with his officials presented his departmental estimates.
Sergeant-at-Arms, if you can escort the previous witnesses that were before us yesterday so that they may resume their presentation and our review.
Minister Taptuna, if you could get your officials ready.
Minister Taptuna, since your officials are not the same as yesterday, can you please introduce your officials who are present today?
Minister Taptuna, this is with respect to your officials here now.
On my left is Sherri Rowe, Director of Finance within the department. On my right, Deputy Minister Bob Long.
We left off with general comments. Mr. Ningark was on my list under general comments.
Do you want to make general comments?
I don’t have a whole lot to say in this department.
A community access road that we have in Kugaaruk has been there for a number of years now.
It is good for tourism, it is good to access the hunting areas in the community, and it is good to access the recreational areas in the community.
The problem that I have seen in our community access road, Mr. Chairman, is that we never seem to have enough for operations and maintenance every year during the spring run-off.
We see potholes and we see a creek just flowing through the surface of the access road. Although we have culverts in a number of places, sometimes the culvert is clogged with ice from the previous winter. During the winter, it takes time to make sure that the culvert is melted, the ice is melted, and that’s when the stream starts flowing on the surface of the community access road in Kugaaruk.
The Hamlet of Kugaaruk probably doesn’t have the money to maintain that because we do not utilize that access road throughout the winter.
The only time we use it is during the summertime. I guess to me, the beginning of the summer in the community is the month of June.
So I’m wondering… correct me, Mr. Chairman, if I’m in the wrong department.
I’ll be asking for operations and maintenance for access roads.
My question through you, Mr. Chairman: Mr. Minister, do you have program funding for access roads such as the one that I’m talking about?
We use that road for hunting, recreation, and tourism.
That was in the minister’s opening comments.
Minister Taptuna, can you respond to the question?
Yes, we all know the importance of access roads.
It makes access to fishing and hunting areas and even to aggregate for construction, gravel, and other sources like that from further out of town.
For the maintenance of the road, that is exactly why it is called access. It is not a fully certified road. It is more like a trail, but we just call it an access road.
Through the program there and applications, you can apply for extra money within the $500,000 for maintenance, especially in the spring.
Like the member said, for the most part, spring is the time when they have to do some maintenance work.
Are there any questions or comments on the opening comments?
I notice that on page 2, under the Small Communities Initiatives Program, it states, “This funding also sunsets on March 31 this year.”
The program has been very helpful to our communities and the $500,000 that was just mentioned is very helpful. The access road program has been delivered in Coral Harbour and Chesterfield Inlet for a number of years.
Are you going to be setting up another program similar to the Small Communities Initiatives Program, which is scheduled to sunset on March 31 of this year?
It seems our previous administration was a good government for having put together such a great program.
Minister Taptuna, can you try and respond?
The program was supposed to end or sunset last year.
We extended it and we carried over the amounts that were unused to March 31, 2010 of this year.
We’re hoping that if any communities want to access similar types of funds, they can apply to other contributions and funds that we do have within the department.
Could the minister identify exactly what the other funds are that you access to keep the Small Communities Initiatives Program going?
Chairman: A very good question, Mr. Ningeongan.
The member is asking the minister where the other dollars will be for the program in the future.
One of the programs that they can apply to is the strategic initiatives program.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Taptuna and Mr. Ningeongan.
We will now go to the page-by-page review starting with page K-4. Economic Development and Transportation. Corporate Management.
Total Operations and Maintenance. $10,118,000.
Chairman (interpretation): Economic Development.
Total Operations and Maintenance. $22,613,000.
If I’m reading this correctly from K-5, if you flip over in the main estimates to K-7, it talks about the grants and contributions of $15.9 million. Of that, there is $4.6 million, if you go down second from the bottom for the Community Capacity Building program.
Is that the funding that goes to the hamlets for their economic development officers and economic development committees?
Chairman (interpretation): Do you want to try and answer the question, Minister Taptuna?
Last year, it was $190,000 that was given to each hamlet. Is that still the same amount that will be going this year?
Yes, it’s the same amount.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Minister. (interpretation ends) No inflation? Okay. Mr. Elliott.
Mr. Elliott: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. That was my next question. Did your department look at reviewing that and providing more funding for the communities to be able to take on more projects?
We still haven’t quite reviewed it yet. We’re getting into the process, but it is going to be the same amount for this year.
Chairman (interpretation): To the main estimates. Mr. Elliott.
That’s good to hear. Like you said, with inflation, it would be nice to have it go up at the same time.
If we want small communities to start more businesses, it would be nice to have more opportunities for the economic development committees to start or jumpstart, or allow programs in the communities.
Does your department actually track the progress of the communities to see if they’re actually growing in terms of their economic development committees and the work that they’re doing and following up to see where that money is being spent?
Chairman (interpretation): Who will respond to the question?
Hon. Peter Taptuna: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Our regional offices do that part of the initiative and work and they do track it.
Mr. Elliott: So the regional office for my three communities would be Pond Inlet. Is that correct?
Chairman: I see a nod down there. Yes, I believe.
Chairman: My intuitions are correct.
I guess my next question is just some guidance as to the best way to communicate with Pond Inlet.
I don’t know, but maybe as an MLA, if I contacted Pond Inlet to see how my communities were doing and ask for an update, they might be upset or scared that I’m checking up on them or I guess forcing them to do something.
Should I go through your office if I was interested to find out how my three communities were doing in terms of the spending of their money and how well they’re doing in their progress?
There is no need to be scared of anybody. If you want to get information, just pick up the phone and they will help you out any way you want.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Minister. Mr. Elliott.
Again on K-7, which is under the economic development grants going across, it’s referring to the $1 million that’s going to the business development centres.
I know I asked a question yesterday, but the Kitikmeot Communities Futures Organization… I’m again still learning the different regions and whatnot.
What’s that compared to here in the Qikiqtani region?
Is that the Baffin Business Development Centre?
Kitikmeot is a little bit different from the Kivalliq in the spelling but other than that, yes, it’s the same.
Mr. Ningark: K-6, the wrong page.
Chairman: Any further questions on K-5?
(interpretation) Operations and Maintenance. Economic Development. $22,613,000.
Chairman (interpretation): Transportation. Operations and Maintenance. $20,553,000.
I think the Minister responsible for Transportation will understand my questions.
In many of the Nunavut communities, especially two of my communities, namely Kugaaruk and Repulse Bay, especially Kugaaruk, Mr. Chairman, through you, we are running out of suitable pieces of land to construct homes.
I think the minister is aware of that. Many, as I put it, suitable pieces of land are adjacent to the airport and that’s under the operation of Transportation.
I have been approached by the council through the administration of the Hamlet of Kugaaruk from the SAO that the Hamlet of Kugaaruk is looking for a piece of land adjacent to the runway.
It’s coming to a point where the hamlet is suggesting that perhaps the Housing Corporation could lease a piece of land from the airport operations director. They are in communication with the people in Cambridge Bay.
Mr. Chairman, my question to the minister is: although it’s new, I kind of approached him earlier today, it’s new, but is there any possibility at all that the Housing Corporation, through the wishes of the community and the Hamlet of Kugaaruk, lease a piece of land adjacent to the runway?
What is the minister’s position on that?
Is there a possibility at all, assuming that the piece of land that the community wants is not too close to the runway and it’s within a safe distance from the runway?
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Ningark. Minister Taptuna.
I thank the member from Kugaaruk for that question.
I’m not aware; there are a lot of regulations that govern the land around the airport and airstrip. There’s land reserved for the airport that has to be rectified and looked at.
For a residential home right by the airstrip, I will have to look into the regulations.
Most of the regulations that we do have are from Ottawa, Transport Canada and various other regulators that we have to abide by within the airports of Nunavut.
If it’s an issue, we will look at that. His concern will be looked at by my officials and there’s a possibility that we will have to involve the Housing Corporation and people who administer the land, which is going to be the hamlet and CGS. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.