EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Youth feel the impact as they confront language loss and uncertainty regarding the place of Inuit language in modern society.
Mary Simon, President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, has stated that the recent census figures on language “must be a wake up call by Inuit everywhere to be prepared to fight to preserve our language.”
Mr. Speaker, Bill 6, the Official Languages Act, and Bill 7, the Inuit Language Protection Act, answer that call.
The protection and status provided by our proposed language legislation is so significant that it has gained attention on the world stage.
Officials from my department participated in the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.
At the meeting, indigenous people from many countries expressed great interest in and support for Nunavut’s proposed language legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to report that Nunavut is setting an example for the world in the areas of protection and promotion of our Inuit language.
Minister’s Statement 178 – 2(4): Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Education Framework for Nunavut Curriculum (Picco)
Later today, I will table the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Education Framework for Nunavut Curriculum which outlines the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit principles, values and directions for curriculum development in our Nunavut schools.
Mr. Speaker, this document includes how to organize curriculum from an Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit perspective along with the competencies that students must learn.
As you know, Mr. Speaker, one of the directions set out in Pinasuaqtavut 2004-09 is to create a school system founded on Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.
Consequently, Mr. Speaker, the content of the framework has been developed by elders and educators in the Department of Education in Arviat with input from an Elders Advisory Committee and has representatives, Mr. Speaker, from across Nunavut.
The Elders Advisory Committee has been working on this project now for several years.
Mr. Speaker, this framework is currently used to develop all curricula for Nunavut schools.
As well, a workshop will be held in all schools next year for its review and ensure teachers have a clearly familiar and are clearly familiar with this framework.
Mr. Speaker, these documents are also used in our Educational Leadership Program and other training programs such as the Masters program.
I think, Mr. Speaker, you would agree with me that these documents are a significant step in ensuring that our students are represented in our curriculum. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Minister of Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, Minister Netser.
Minister’s Statement 179 – 2(4): Northern Connections (Netser)
Hon. Patterk Netser (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It also happens to be my childhood friend’s birthday from Coral Harbour, Thomas Alogut.
Hon. Patterk Netser (interpretation): I would like to wish him a Happy Birthday.
He ought to be up by this time.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I rise today to inform Members of this House a document jointly released by the three territories this spring, entitled: Northern Connections: a Transportation Blueprint for the North.
Mr. Speaker, we know that each of the territories is unique, but we also recognize that Nunavut, the Northwest Territories and Yukon share a number of important concerns.
Each of the territories lags behind the rest of Canada in terms of the transportation infrastructure that is needed to support the growth of our economy.
Where the provinces are repairing or upgrading their facilities, we are just beginning the much more expensive process of constructing this infrastructure for the first time.
This is the message of Northern Connections.
It is my hope, Mr. Speaker, that this message will be heard clearly in the rest of Canada and that it will add to the messages delivered by the territorial premiers in May of last year when they released A Northern Vision: A Stronger North and a Better Canada.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage all Members of this House to read these documents which will help us to frame our arguments for more public investments in the physical infrastructure we badly need in Nunavut to support the development of our economy.
Minister’s Statement 180 – 2(4): DFO Decisions on Nunavut’s Fishery (Akesuk)
Hon. Olayuk Akesuk: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon, my colleagues. Happy Birthday, Mr. Premier.
Hon. Olayuk Akesuk: This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans’ announcement of a five-year turbot allocation that ignored Nunavut’s right to be treated fairly with other Canadians.
Since then, the Government of Nunavut, together with NTI and industry, has used every means at our disposal to convince Canada to bring our quota up to national standards.
Yet, three times over the past six months alone, the current Minister of DFO has taken decisions damaging to Nunavut’s fishery.
Hon. Olayuk Akesuk: Last fall, he awarded 1,900 tonnes of Nunavut’s adjacent turbot stocks to southern interests, although Nunavut companies had been ready to purchase that quota.
In February, Nunavut was given funding for just one small craft harbour, although independent studies had shown we need seven to develop our fishery and although the federal government has spent over $3 billion to build 1,000 such facilities in southern Canada.
Then just a week ago, Minister Hearn excluded Nunavut from an allocation of another 600 tonnes of turbot in our adjacent waters...
Hon. Olayuk Akesuk: ... which once again went to southern companies.
Mr. Speaker, Canada needs to get its act together.
While Ottawa bases its legal case for Arctic sovereignty on Inuit use and occupancy, DFO is actively undermining our development of an economic sector that could help sustain that occupancy.
And while Ottawa constantly reminds us how much federal funding we already get, DFO repeatedly denies us the means to become more self-reliant using our own resources.
This pattern is hypocritical and it is discriminatory.
Mr. Speaker, DFO has encouraged us to be patient and to recognize that gradually our quota has been increasing.
Well so far, Nunavut has been patient, it has been civil, and it has been peaceful.
But now, through these recent allocations and through the new draft Fisheries Act – Bill C-32 – DFO is trying to lock in southern control of our adjacent fishery.
Over the coming weeks, we will review our options for responding to this situation and decide on a course of action.
But we cannot and will not stand by and watch Canada set southern control of our fishery in stone.
Mr. Speaker, let me finish by paraphrasing an old proverb that says: “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day.
Give him the tools to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.”
That is what we are seeking, Mr. Speaker, no more but no less than other Canadians.
If there are no more, moving on with our Orders of the Day. Item 3.
Member’s Statement 430 – 2(4): Pujualussait Inuit Trauma Conference (Arvaluk)
I rise today to thank you, Mr. Speaker, for having invited me and other members to travel to your constituency of Pangnirtung this past Saturday to meet with participants attending the Pujualussait Inuit Trauma Conference.
As you know, Mr. Speaker, a number of members took the time to take part in this important event. Premier Okalik, Mr. Barnabas, Mr. Alagalak, Mr. Curley, Mr. Arreak, Mr. Peterson and Mr. Netser joined with us very early on Saturday morning to travel to Pangnirtung.
Mr. Speaker, I was personally very impressed with what we observed and heard on Saturday at this conference, which began on Wednesday of last week.
Mr. Speaker, as you know, representatives from around 19 different Inuit communities were represented at the conference, including people from Labrador and Northern Quebec.
A number of mental health professionals also took part in the event, which was warmly welcomed by the residents of Pangnirtung.
At the same time, a parallel youth trauma conference was being held at one of the community’s schools.
I would like to thank and recognize Emily Qarpik for her well presented summary report which we had the opportunity to hear.
Speaker (interpretation): I’m sorry, Mr. Arvaluk, but you have run out of time.
You may ask for unanimous consent of members to conclude your statement. Mr. Arvaluk.
I’m seeking unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
You may proceed, Mr. Arvaluk.
As I was saying earlier, a parallel youth trauma conference was being held at one of the community’s schools.
I also wish to thank Meeka Alivaktak and her committee at Pujualussait for their dedication and commitment for running this conference.
We also appreciated her well prepared presentation.
Both of these conferences were held to identify different types of trauma that our constituents and other Inuit have faced and dealt with in their lives.
The conference was very fittingly titled “Towards Finding Solutions.”
This was a good step forward in identifying better and more concrete solutions to deal with Inuit Trauma.
They also talked about children being sent away to residential schools, as well as the dog slaughter, and I’m just mentioning a few of the trauma cases that have happened here in Nunavut.
And lastly, I wish to congratulate my constituents who were involved in the conference and they are well-known by Members of this House.
Member’s Statement 431 – 2(4): Dealing with Addictions in Nunavut (Alagalak)
Mr. Alagalak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) I would like to apologize to my fellow members for coming in a little late due to unforeseen circumstances.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express concerns that have been raised in my community concerning addictions.
This includes addictions to alcohol, addictions to narcotics and addictions to other substances.
Mr. Speaker, there are too many people in Nunavut who are heavily addicted and who want to be helped out of their addiction.
Our government seems to be failing to make that help available.
Our youth and others who are trapped in their addictions have very few places to turn to get help.
Furthermore, Mr. Speaker, our government has done very little to control what has been allowed to enter our communities.
In addition to things like alcohol and narcotics, many very dangerous substances make their way onto our streets.
Mr. Speaker, I urge this government to take strong and serious action in making more programs available to help those suffering from addictions and who want to be helped to break free and live healthy lives. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Member’s Statement 432 – 2(4): The 2008 Nunavut Quest (Barnabas)
I would like to wish your wife, the Premier, and all those celebrating their birthday today a Happy Birthday.
I rise today, Mr. Speaker, to thank all of the organizers, participants, their assistants and officials involved in or supporting the Nunavut Quest in 2008.
The dog teams left Igloolik on April 28, the entire trip comprised of over 500 kilometres all on their dog teams, and they arrived in Arctic Bay on May 7.
I would like to mention with great pride that one of my constituents, Moses Oyukuluk from Arctic Bay, came in first, and Joey Aqqiaruq Sarpinak from Igloolik, a young man, came in second place amongst approximately 20 participants in the quest.
Again, I am quite honoured to mention Denise Maliki, who has been participating in the Nunavut Quest, who is the only woman who has participated in the last two quests. I would also like to inform you that Denise Maliki came in first place last year and we were extremely heartened by her commitment and desire when she won.
The participants also had young people who rode-along on the last leg of the ride to Arctic Bay. When the dog teams arrived at the finish line, the students would lift each sled with its occupant straight up in the air. This was quite gratifying to watch, especially for those Inuit who were observing the final part of the race.
Approximately 200 dogs were part of the race and each participant had helpers who assisted with the logistics during the entire course of the trip.
The Nunavut Quest began in 1999 and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the people who initiated the Nunavut Quest because they had pride in their culture and of the many positive cultural practices that have been revived as a result of this race.
Moses Oyukuluk was one of the engineers of the quest, along with Joelie Qamaniq, Nery Iqalukjuaq, Piujuq Enoogoo and Cecil Marshal.
At the beginning of the Nunavut Quest, there were hardly any participants and there were hardly any dog races for Inuit huskies, but as the years passed, the number of participants increased, along with more communities getting involved and this race is becoming quite a regular event.
All of the communities that are involved have a Nunavut Quest Committee and they also have fund-raising activities in their communities for this race.
The Nunavut Quest again revives the traditional activities of our ancestors and brought the use of dog teams back into focus culturally as it was the main mode of transportation a long time ago.
I wish to thank all the people who participated in the fund-raising activities that allowed the quest to proceed and all people who volunteered their time for this event as they are the foundation for the continued success of the race.
I would also like to thank NTI and QIA for making financial contributions on a yearly basis for the Nunavut Quest.
Again, I would also like to thank our Commissioner, Anne Meekitjuk Hanson, who was able to attend to our 10th Nunavut Quest. I would also like to thank the NTI President, Paul Kaludjak, and the QIA President, Thomasie Alikatuktuk. We very much appreciate them for being able to attend.
Member’s Statement 433 – 2(4): Comments on Auditor General’s Report on Housing in Nunavut (Curley)
I rise to comment briefly on the Report of the Auditor General of Canada on Nunavut Housing Corporation.
Mr. Speaker, in short, the Auditor General of Canada confirmed the issues and problems that we have raised in this House, particularly this side of the Members of the House. In short, in my interpretation, the Auditor General of Canada confirmed that the Nunavut Housing Corporation has continued to mismanage its mandate throughout Nunavut.
She was much more polite and modest in actually stating that the Nunavut Housing Corporation, particularly through the Executive Committee who manages the whole of operation, has failed to implement a series of elements of its mandate, including failing to setting the long-term goals and establish strategic priorities, including planning and managing human resources for the corporation, and it also has failed to approving annual corporate plans, including budgets and any necessary adjustments, and evaluating the efficiency, economy, effectiveness, and corporate activities.
These are all listed on page 25 of the report.
Mr. Speaker, I believe the report very politely states that it is time to review the mandate as assigned to the Nunavut Housing Corporation.
In the private sector, Mr. Speaker, the report, when it calls for review, would actually say, “Fire the senior management of the Nunavut Housing Corporation because it has failed to manage the program policy including the sealift contract.”
It also very clearly states that it has lost in excess of $500,000 for cancelling the marshalling contract that was in place a year or so ago.
So Mr. Speaker, I think the report is clear: it is time for an overhaul, change the senior management and clean house.
And we cannot accept this mismanagement of the very essential service for Nunavummiut.
Member’s Statement 434 – 2(4): Recent Community Events in Kugluktuk (Evyagotailak)
I join you in celebrating your wife’s and individuals celebrating their birthday today a Happy Birthday.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to update the House on some recent events in my community of Kugluktuk.
Last Friday, I was very pleased to welcome Premier Okalik and Education Minister Picco to Kugluktuk to attend our high school graduation ceremony.
Mr. Speaker, a total of 15 students graduated this year.
Mr. Evyagotailak (interpretation): The community is very proud of our graduates, and I would like to thank the Premier and Minister of Education for taking the time to travel to the Kitikmeot for this event and meet personally with our youth.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I would also like to thank the Premier for having travelled to Kugluktuk on the day that a major announcement was made regarding infrastructure projects in the community.
Over $4 million has been announced that will help improve the community’s water treatment system, construct a new hamlet office, provide a new storage shelter at the airport and repair a number of public housing units.
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to inform the House that I held a successful constituency meeting earlier this month in preparation for our sitting.
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker, my constituents raised a number of issues of concern on such issues as health care, education...
Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask my colleagues for consent to conclude my statement.
My constituents raised a number of issues of concern on such issues as health care, education and economic development opportunities.
I look forward to continuing to raise issues on their behalf during our sitting.
At this time, let’s welcome the Member for Hudson Bay, Mr. Kattuk.  >>Applause
Member’s Statement 435 – 2(4): Listing of Polar Bear as a Threatened Species (Kattuk)
I rise today to talk about one of my favourite topics, polar bears.
I never quite finished my statements about polar bears and I am extremely proud to participate today in the House during our spring session.
I would like to tell my grandchild, “I love you,” if they are watching the proceedings on television.
Mr. Speaker, we hear on the news about how the American government has listed the polar bears as a “threatened species” and that the population is in decline. I would like to make a statement on this issue to counteract their designation.
First of all, I want to state this fact. When I first started to have memories as a child, there were hardly any polar bears at that time and also further in the past, according to our elders.
Our older generations stated that the polar bears would return to our lands near our community, even though there were not very many polar bears.
Our grandparents, uncles, relatives and the elders, although they didn’t do population studies, forecasted that the polar bears would increase in numbers in future years. Lo and behold, in the early part of the1960s, Inuit in our community started noticing more polar bears around Sanikiluaq. There were more bears, as our ancestors had forecasted.
The elders never just said the polar bears would return, but that they would go in cycles of plenty and few polar bears, and that they would also diminish again. The elders used to make those statements about how the population of polar bears would fluctuate, but Inuit never just stated that they would just return.
The Inuit people had no prior knowledge of when it would occur.
They did not have computers or satellite collars, but they knew their environment, especially the animals they depended on, as well as the environmental and meteorological factors which caused the ebb and flow of the animals. They spoke the truth about these matters.
There are no nays. Please proceed, Mr. Kattuk.
What the gist of my statement is that the Inuit had no computers or other technological tools to base their observations on, but the elders had accumulated their immense knowledge base by observation and discussions with other Inuit.
The elders also stated that our land would eventually get warm and change to a warmer climate. They knew this and forecasted it a long time ago.
Therefore, Inuit do not always believe the computer modelling of the polar bear populations that states that the polar bear numbers are in decline because we have been told to expect this from our elders.
Mr. Speaker, I also use a computer to check on the forecast for our community weather and I can usually tell what will happen tomorrow and what is forecasted for tonight.
I try to check it daily, but sometimes the computer forecasts can be very wrong.
The computer forecasts are always going for the highest probability forecasts.
Now, we have heard that the American government is using their computers to model their declines and using this modern technology to prove that the polar bears are at risk.
The American government is apparently doing studies on the population of the polar bears in Nunavut just via modelling, but I have never seen American scientists.
Due to this, Mr. Speaker, I am stating that doing model studies through the computer is not always accurate, as you have to see with your own eyes what is transpiring in our lands.
We observe the animals when we are out hunting and we are using our environment daily, so we tend to know what’s happening to our animals because we make our observations continuously.
If they are only going to use computer modelling to make population estimates, they have to know that even a small discrepancy in the data can cause the wrong models to be programmed and that they need to do actual work in the field because the Inuit depend on polar bears and polar bear sport hunts for economic development.
Member’s Statement 436 – 2(4): Thanks to Volunteers Who Found Missing Family from Repulse Bay (Mapsalak)
I rise today to voice some fortunate news with respect to the people of Repulse Bay.
The residents of Repulse Bay held a celebration event for the family that was lost on the land last month. The family was comprised of the parents plus five children, and two of the younger children were less than two years old. As well, their only son was not very old either.
Mr. Speaker, my constituents held a celebration with a community feast due to the fact that the family had been found without any mishap.
However, they were starting to experience hardships as they were down to their last few items of food and they had to ration the meals by only eating once a day. Their children were running out of baby food and formula as they had only brought enough food for what they thought would be a short trip.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the following and ask the other members to thank all the people involved in the search and rescue efforts: the Search and Rescue members of Repulse Bay, the Canadian Rangers, the RCMP, and the armed forces for providing an aircraft that did the aerial searching.
The aircraft was available and it was put into good use, but the weather was quite poor during the entire search and rescue, and they could not fly daily due to poor visibility. But, there was a land search by the people of Repulse Bay, Hall Beach and as well, I believe that Igloolik had also sent out a search party.
I, personally, wish to thank the two people who found and rescued the family. The men who found them were our Mayor, John Tagoona, who also happens to be my brother-in-law, along with my younger brother, Josephee Mapsalak.
These two were the ones who found and rescued the family at that time while they were still in good health.
There was a big feast held in Repulse Bay yesterday as they were able to arrive home on the airplane and the whole town was celebrating their successful return home.
Members’ Statements. Member for Amittuq, Mr. Tapardjuk.
Member’s Statement 437 – 2(4): Meeka Nangmalik – Walk for Women from Igloolik to Hall Beach (Tapardjuk)
I rise today to commemorate one of my constituent’s good fortunes, although I already heard my colleague allude to the Nunavut Quest and how the participants arrived in his home community. Overall, it was a success since there were no problems.
This morning on television, there was a broadcast of a space exploration vehicle that landed on Mars and the name of this vehicle is the Phoenix, but what got my attention was that this vehicle was sent all the way from Earth on a long journey to Mars.
However, in talking about long journeys, one of my constituents undertook a long journey which I am quite proud to mention in the House.