EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Due to this reason we have to remember our constituents who voted for the land claim, including Inuit with disabilities, as they voted as well.
Mr. Speaker, another matter is the Inuktitut language. Signage for workplaces should include Inuktitut as visible reminders and be prioritized.
All documentation and reports should be available in Inuktitut because too many times in our work, only the English versions are available. We are constantly told that the Inuktitut version will eventually get completed.
Even now, Inuktitut is treated as a secondary working language today.
Inuit fought for Nunavut to ensure this challenge would be met and reversed, yet Inuktitut is too often treated as an afterthought.
Let us remember these issues within Nunavut whenever we contemplate these types of projects in our communities.
Member’s Statement 402 – 4(3): Tribute to Daisy Dialla (Mike)
Hon. Johnny Mike (interpretation): My apologies.
Thank you and I share in the worldwide celebration of our fellow Inuit on Inuit Day.
Prior to commencing my statement, one of my granddaughters, Brianna, is celebrating her birthday.
I wish you a very happy birthday, granddaughter.
I know that you will be well-looked after.
I rise today to speak to the types of issues members talk about occurring in our communities and in particular related to work around our schools.
I will be speaking publicly in this House about a person who contributed tremendously.
I am referring to Daisy Dialla, who passed away during the month of September.
Further, her brother has worked here for several years. His name is Andrew Dialla and I want that known.
Daisy Dialla was born at Sauniqtuuraarjuk on June 2, 1944.
Her father was Joanasie Dialla, who worked as a special constable with the RCMP, and her mother was Annie Dialla.
Daisy’s grandfather was a Scottish whaling captain who was in charge of the Easonian, which shipwrecked near Kekerten Island.
It was an old sailing boat and it is still located near Kekerten. Apparently that is the ship.
Daisy had five children, several of which were daughters, and she also adopted her very first grandchild.
Out of her five children, two were adopted out and Daisy raised her daughters on her own as a single parent.
There are no nays. Mr. Mike, please proceed.
Hon. Johnny Mike (interpretation): Yes, at the beginning of my statement I referred to school operations.
Just when the school began to grow in 1976, Daisy began as the Inuktitut instructor who taught students syllabics and spoken Inuktitut.
Daisy was encouraged to apply by the late Annie Okalik, who was the mother of the member sitting next to me, Paul Okalik.
She encouraged Daisy to take on that role and she worked for three years initially for the school board.
As many of you know, funds used to be hard to get for Inuktitut language instructors for both written and spoken dialects.
Daisy took about a year off and then returned to that position.
She resumed her role in 1979 and she made a career of it teaching youth how to write and speak proper Inuktitut. She continued her work for 33 years.
While she taught there, she helped to develop many materials to make up the curriculum for teaching in written formats and she was a part of the Inuktitut curriculum group at the teaching and learning centre in Pond Inlet.
She worked tirelessly on the Inuktitut language to ensure it would remain alive.
Furthermore, most Inuit from Pangnirtung and perhaps many from outside of the community knew that Daisy taught many generations Inuktitut classes. They are all fully fluent and literate in their language and many of them have held well-paying jobs.
Another area where Daisy was involved was the Inuit Uqausinginnik Taiguusiliuqtiit, or the Inuktitut terminology committee under the government, and she continued in that role up until it became obvious that illness would be the cause for her resignation.
She was also involved in many other areas, such as the Alaniq Radio Society board for over 10 years, as well as the Pangnirtung Music Festival.
She had 24 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
She enjoyed being outdoors, fishing, clam digging, berry picking, knitting, sewing, and she took pleasure in making traditional clothing for her children and grandchildren out of skins.
She has left a large void in our community due to her role, hospitality, and welcoming spirit. She was also my in-law.
This piece was written by Sandra Kilabuk, who is one of her daughters.
Member’s Statement 403 – 4(3): Congratulations to Daniel Quassa (Quassa)
I’m proud to say that today is Inuit Day.
Yes, Inuit are capable. Our youth are very capable today and I’m proud of them when they finish their studies.
My nephew, Daniel Quassa, lives in Pond Inlet now and today I’m very proud of him. He’s a (interpretation ends) house maintainer (interpretation) and he has a (interpretation ends) journeyman (interpretation) certificate now.
I’m proud of him and young people who go to school or take training to get trades.
I would like you to carry on, and I’m especially proud of Daniel. Even though he’s only 25 years old, he can now work at any housing organization in Nunavut.
I want my colleagues to join me in congratulating him.
Member’s Statement 404 – 4(3): High Arctic Apparel (Enook)
I am Inuk E5-1519.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in order to congratulate two young individuals from Pond Inlet.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, the Inspire Nunavut program, which has received funding from the Government of Nunavut, has been working with youth from Pond Inlet and Iqaluit to, and I quote, “use entrepreneurship as a tool to solve problems in their communities while also providing for themselves and their families.”
Mr. Speaker, the organization aims to combine “the driving principles of traditional business with the mechanics of social entrepreneurship, while also integrating Inuit culture and values.”
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker, Michael Milton and Jamesie Itulu have been collaborating on unique and inspiring designs for the product line of High Arctic Apparel.
Mr. Speaker, High Arctic Apparel is a small business that produces clothing for men, women, and children in a variety of styles, as well as other items such as mugs.
Mr. Speaker, High Arctic Apparel draws its design inspirations “from Inuit traditions, culture, values and tools.”
Mr. Speaker, as I noted earlier, a number of my constituents from Pond Inlet have been participating in the Inspire Nunavut program, and I look forward to sharing their stories with you and my colleagues in the months to come.
I am proud of them.
Member’s Statement 405 – 4(3): Celebrate International Inuit Day (Taptuna)
I, too, want to stand and celebrate International Inuit Day.
We all agree that Inuit Day should be every day in the great territory of Nunavut.
Inuit Day is something that we live every day. We do have to celebrate that.
Mr. Speaker, I met an elder at the airport just a few days ago. She’s from Coppermine (Kugluktuk) and she’s the one remaining signatory to a petition that went to Ottawa in 1952.
The Inuit of Coppermine were writing letters for a two-year period, writing letters to Ottawa, petitioning Ottawa for land and mineral rights.
The Inuit were in the dark ages at that time, although I’ve got to say that Inuit have moved up in the society of the world at a rapid pace.
Mr. Speaker, I am proud about what Inuit have done in negotiating the land claims agreement. They have created jobs for Inuit and so forth.
Mr. Speaker, there are many Inuit that signed the petition to Ottawa asking for lands and mineral rights way back then and I’m quite proud of the elders that did that.
In fact I have some copies of the letters that I’m hoping we can put in the cultural centre of Kugluktuk.
It goes to show that Inuit were thinking way ahead back then. They were thinking of owning land and mineral rights.
Mr. Speaker, Inuit have gone a long way in such a short period of time.
Inuit are one of the biggest landowners in the world.
We own Inuit-owned lands that are going to protect our future and our future generations to have a good life moving forward.
Mr. Speaker, Inuit haven’t sat still.
They have been working very hard and we have good examples here within our Legislative Assembly that negotiated the land claims agreement.
In other words Inuit Day should be every day for us, and I appreciate the fact that it was brought up by the member from Rankin Inlet and Chesterfield Inlet.
Inuit Day is every day for Nunavummiut.
Member’s Statement 406 – 4(3): Happy Birthday Wishes to Grandson, Sebastian (Qirngnuq)
I say “good day” to the people of Kugaaruk and Taloyoak, my colleagues, and our Premier.
I’m happy that today is Inuit Day.
It’s like it brought us closer to home.
Mr. Speaker, I stand today because I am happy and glad that my grandson, Sebastian, is celebrating his birthday today.
He is named after me and he is now nine years old.
I want him to have a good day today and have a good birthday.
Since he has my name and he is my grandson, I want him to have great abilities.
As mentioned by my colleague from the High Arctic, we have to follow what our elders said and apply it today and tomorrow.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for being allowed to speak.
I appreciate the opportunity to recognize a long-time resident of Iqaluit who lives just down the street from me.
I have gotten to know her very well over the years and I’m sad and excited at the same time to hear that she’s in the process of moving to Ottawa. I just wanted to formally recognize Rosemary Keenainak.
I’m sure you will be back frequently, so I look forward to hearing about your adventures in Ottawa and I look forward to the education process that you will bringing to the federal government.
Mr. Speaker, I noticed Nancy Tupik had ducked away before the Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery, but her sister, Becky Tootoo, my auntie, is in the gallery and I would just like to really thank her for joining us this afternoon and thanks for joining us for dinner last night.
To the residents of Nunavut and Baker Lake, please enjoy today as it is Inuit Day.
I wish to welcome my wife, Eva Mikkungwak, and our adopted son who is our grandson, Lewis Qahaluaq Mikkungwak, to the gallery.
Just last week this person was recognized at the Jonah Amitnaaq School as she is also a teacher who has worked really hard and is the Baker Lake senior advocate of the suicide prevention group as well as being the oldest member. She has provided much-needed assistance to our youth in Baker Lake, so I ask that everyone welcome Becky Tootoo.
I wish to take this opportunity to recognize a visitor today, my maternal niece, Rosemary Keenainak, who was previously a fellow resident of mine in various communities like Iqaluit, Nanisivik, and Pangnirtung.
Also another long-time resident of Pangnirtung who moved to Iqaluit and now lives here is Andrew Dialla, who is interpreting for us today.
I wanted to acknowledge him.
As our fellow Inuit are generally very hospitable and welcoming, I would like to welcome all the visitors to this House.
Speaker (interpretation): Welcome to the visitors who were just recognized.
Question 547 – 4(3): Using Nunavut Health Cards as IDs (Mikkungwak)
Mr. Speaker, earlier today I noted the fine work of the Department of Health and its staff in ensuring that all eligible Nunavut residents received an up-to-date health insurance card.
(interpretation ends) Can the minister provide an update on how his department works with other entities within the government, such as divisions within the departments of Family Services, Education, and Community and Government Services to ensure that all eligible Nunavut residents have a health care card?
Like the member said, there is a lot of collaboration amongst different departments when you’re making sure that all our residents have the appropriate health card so that they can receive services here in Nunavut as well as in other jurisdictions in Canada through shared service agreements.
It’s kind of complicated; I can be here for a little while if I wanted to get into all the details. First of all, when infants are born, there’s an automatic process that is done with the parents to make sure that their child is registered for medical health.
When you’re taking employment to Nunavut, specifically with the Government of Nunavut and other employers, there’s a process that when you move here, you have to fill out your medical insurance card so that you can access benefits.
I’m not sure how much detail the member is looking for.
We work collaboratively across the whole territory to make sure that we identify people.
I just saw a number. I’m going by memory, but it’s a little over 37,000 people that currently have health cards in the territory of Nunavut.
Keeping track of all of that is an arduous task at some points.
The members recognize the amount of hard work that goes in from health officials to make sure that people get their cards and replacement cards in a timely manner.
I thank the member for acknowledging the hard work that the Department of Health goes through to provide those to Nunavummiut.
In many jurisdictions across Canada, health care cards include a photograph of the individual who is identified on the card.
As a result, the card can also be used as a form of identification.
Can the minister update this House on what considerations have been given to including photographs of Nunavut residents on their health care cards?
Although I’ve had numerous discussions with my officials at the Department of Health since I took over this portfolio at the end of June, the topic of redesigning our health cards has not been one of the topics that I have discussed with my officials.
That being said, there are a number of different options for Nunavummiut to access photo identification. There are the general ID cards that are available with the parent or guardian’s consent from 12 years of age.
All infants and children are eligible to get a Canadian passport.
Most times for children under 12, they don’t necessarily need photo ID unless they’re travelling outside the country.
At this time I don’t envision that being one of the main topics of discussion that I’ll be having with my officials.
The minister seems to have read right into my final supplementary.
As many of my colleagues will know, trying to assist a constituent who needs a picture ID in order to travel can be a very frustrating process.
Having a health care card which can also function as a form of government-issued photo ID would be a very useful item for Nunavut residents to have.
Will the minister commit to working with his colleagues to investigate the possibility of including identifying photographs on Nunavut health care cards?
I applaud the member’s creativity in exploring different ways of providing photo ID.
This government currently does have practices in place through general ID cards. As well there are federal options available to provide picture ID.
The Department of Economic Development and Transportation has just recently rolled out new cameras in all their stations to be able to help people take appropriate pictures and they are in the process of streamlining the process for general ID identification.
I don’t see the value in duplicating resources through the Department of Health.
We have a lot of initiatives that we have staff working very hard on and I don’t see the fiscal responsibility of duplicating processes that currently exist.
I do applaud the member’s creativity in looking at maybe how health cards could enhance the ID process, but I believe that has already been taken care of by this government.
Question 548 – 4(3): Client Travel Policy (Mapsalak)
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, it has been noted many times in this House that a number of Nunavut residents who need a level of care and treatment that is not available in Nunavut must be cared for in other jurisdictions.
These individuals are far away from their home and families.
The government’s travel policy for adults in residential care indicates that they may receive one visit from two family members once a year.
Can the minister provide an update on how often the government’s travel policy is reviewed?
For those individuals requiring care in other jurisdictions, the Department of Family Services usually takes care of the arrangements if the individual has to have specialized treatment or if an elder cannot be taken care of or treated in Nunavut.
In regard to your question and the government’s travel policy, it says here that two family members may visit per year.
That’s how it is set up at this time.
The policy states that an adult client can only be visited by one family member.
That’s what the policy indicates and I know it personally.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, many individuals are in residential care because they cannot live independently and need more care than can be provided in Nunavut.
For some individuals, even though they may be considered adults by their age, their disability leaves them in more of a childlike state.
The Client Travel Policy for children in residential care allows them to have two family visits per year.
Can the minister clarify whether the Client Travel Policy could be applied according to a client’s need rather than their age?
I can look into this matter and see if that is possible or if it can’t be changed.
I would like to urge the minister to look into this matter because the clients experience hardships.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, we are often told that decisions must be made on a case-by-case basis.
I am sure the minister will agree that for those individuals who must travel away from their families, homes, and territory to receive care, their needs are unique.
Will the minister commit to reviewing the Client Travel Policy to ensure that Nunavut residents in long-term residential care get the family visits that they need?
I would also like to thank my colleague for raising that issue. There are different types of care provided depending on the needs of the patient and some patients are not capable of looking after themselves because of mental or physical disabilities.
I can indeed look into the question the member raised on visits and I will look into the types of care required and whether that would include this request.
Due to the complexity of each case, I would have to revisit the issue of visitation and that is how I can respond at this moment.
Question 549 – 4(3): Dust Control Initiatives (Rumbolt)
Today my questions are for the Minister of Community and Government Services. I realize winter is upon us, but today I’m going to ask for an update on dust control.
Mr. Speaker, during our recent spring sitting, my colleague, the Member for Baker Lake, asked the minister a number of questions concerning dust control in Nunavut.
In his response, the minister stated that his department would be “looking at different options, and might possibly even be doing a pilot project in Nunavut on one of the new options that’s available.”
Mr. Speaker, it is my understanding that the department applied a new solution on the roads in Iqaluit this past summer as a part of a pilot project to address dust control.
Can the minister confirm that this pilot project took place and can he describe the results of this pilot project?
Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can confirm to the member that the project took place, half of it anyway.
We tried out this new dust suppression. It was tried out in Iqaluit. Due to the weather and other issues the test was inconclusive here in Iqaluit.
The other place where it was supposed to be tried out was in Arviat and it was postponed until next year due to weather.
With this product that was going to be tried, there has to be no rain and it has to be no colder than, I believe it was, plus five.
Those conditions were not met in Arviat, so it was delayed until next year.
Here in Iqaluit there were other issues where the results, I’ll just say they were inconclusive.
I appreciate the update. Not to sound like a broken record, but dust control in Nunavut communities is a challenge that all communities have and are facing.
Can the minister indicate if his department has considered introducing any new solutions for dust suppression in Nunavut’s smaller communities in the future?
These products that we tried out, the tests weren’t final, so more tests will be done next year. The same company does have another product, again, that they have out that was not out this past year.
We will be doing tests again next year.
I can’t commit to which product it would be for dust control, but I’m aware that dust is a major issue in all Nunavut communities and at times it’s probably even a health issue.
We are going to do our best to try to come up with a practical solution. We will be testing this product again next year in Arviat. Now there’s the possibility of testing the new product next year when it comes too.
If he’s ever looking for a community to test products in, I’m willing to volunteer my community at any time.
Mr. Speaker, I recognize that paving all of the roads in Nunavut would be very expensive, but I often wonder how much it has cost our territory to spray calcium chloride every year in 25 communities.
Can the minister give us an idea of how much it costs to supply the equipment, solution, human resources, and training for the application of calcium chloride in a community for one particular year?
The member is correct that paving all the roads is very expensive. It’s approximately $1 million per kilometre to pave in Nunavut.
As for the cost of calcium, I can’t tell the member exactly how much each community gets, but it’s part of the municipal funding formula that each community gets.
It’s rolled into their road maintenance money that the communities use to maintain their roads.
It’s part of the funding formula.
It’s not a set amount per community, but it’s roughly between $18,000 and $30,000 per community that is funded towards buying the calcium.
That does not include the equipment. That’s roughly how much is spent per community on the product, but it’s not specifically for calcium. It’s just part of the municipal funding formula.
Question 550 – 4(3): Screening for Diabetes (Angnakak)
Ms. Angnakak (interpretation): Good afternoon. (interpretation ends) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, the other day I asked some questions in the House regarding the development of diabetes across Nunavut.
While I appreciate the minister’s responses, it is not clear to me that our health service is putting enough direct focus on this disease.
It has been well documented that diabetes is a growing concern in aboriginal communities where a rapid change in diet and lifestyle have brought about significant changes to health and well-being.
Can the minister provide an update on what specific screening and diagnostic programs are in place to identify the onset of diabetes in Nunavut’s population?
Across the territory in the community health centres there’s general screening that goes on when people bring forward any health concerns that may be related to diabetes.
There are some specific dollars that are associated to the department as far as the treatment, but what we’re trying to focus on is mitigating the measures before it occurs, making sure that people are educated in healthy diets and making sure that we work with food security. We work with different community groups to be able to provide country foods.
As a government we work very hard to make sure that people... . Through poverty reduction roundtables, there are different things that we are working on to make sure that people are eating healthy.
I acknowledge that there are cases in Nunavut of diabetes and I have brought this up in the past as a regular member myself. With regard to specific screening, it’s done at the community health centres.
When people attend the health centre, if they have any symptoms or any indications that diabetes may be a concern, they’re tested and the results are shared with the patients.
I note that in 2013-14 the federal government provided specific funding of approximately $62,000 to Nunavut’s Department of Health for a diabetes screening project.
However, it does not appear that any additional funding was provided for this project in subsequent fiscal years.