EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
The price of gasoline, heating fuel, and diesel will be reduced by 10 cents a litre the day after this Sunday.
Member’s Statement 039 – 3(2): Happy Fifth Birthday Hailey Qatsiya (Schell)
I rise here today to wish my daughter, Hailey, a happy fifth birthday.
I sent her a birthday cake; I won’t say which airline I sent it on, but unfortunately, it didn’t get there in one piece. They threw a bunch of heavy stuff on top, but I hope she has a better birthday here. I wish her a happy birthday and I will make up for it when I get home.
Member’s Statement 040 – 3(2): Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission (Tapardjuk)
Yesterday was the first anniversary of the Prime Minister’s apology. It was approximately a year ago that the apology was offered to parents, families, and residential school survivors.
In my constituency communities of Igloolik and Hall Beach, a large number of people were sent to the residential school in Chesterfield Inlet.
I would like to commemorate this apology and further, what causes me even more joy is that right around that day, our Official Languages Act received parliamentary concurrence.
Mr. Speaker, what I wanted to mention was in regard to those of us who attended the Chesterfield Inlet residential school. Many of us suffered hardship and sometimes endured abuse from teachers.
We have also heard that there have been three commissioners appointed to the new commission that will be recording the stories of the residential school survivors.
I have heard concerns about the fact that there’s no representative from Nunavut sitting on the commission.
However, Mr. Speaker, I personally would like to convey my story to that commission about my experiences as a former Chesterfield Inlet student.
Even without an Inuit representing us on the commission, I still want my story heard.
I wish to have the stories of the former residential school students notarized and I urge all Inuit to relate their experiences to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
Mr. Speaker, the other reason why I rise today is because I will forever be appreciative of the people of Chesterfield Inlet. They welcomed us with open arms whenever we returned to go to school.
I would like the residents of Chesterfield Inlet not to worry overtly even though many former students experienced problems in that school.
None of the students blamed the Inuit of Chesterfield Inlet, they blame the residential school. I would like the member representing that community to voice that to his constituents because the students have much thankfulness to the Inuit of Chesterfield Inlet.
If it weren’t for those Inuit, some of us would absolutely be worse off or less skilled, but they took very good care of us.
Mr. Speaker, in addition, this is now largely historical and in the past. Although it destroyed some people’s lives and was a terrible experience for some, what I can state unequivocally is that the residential school experience also allowed many Inuit to increase their capabilities and become employable.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, my Annuraaqatik, Mr. Tapardjuk. (interpretation ends) Members’ Statements.
Member’s Statement 041 – 3(2): Happy 50th Anniversary Donald Uluadluak and Wife (Shewchuk)
I rise before you today to recognize a wonderful couple from my community of Arviat. On April 26, 2009, Mr. Donald and Ruth Uluadluak celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.
They have raised a wonderful family and contributed to the community immensely.
Donald turns 77 years old today, June 12, and is still working as a culture and heritage advisor in the community for the Department of Education. Donald and Ruth have raised 16 children. They have 66 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren.
It is not all people who have the opportunity to accomplish this wonderful milestone. As their MLA, I send my best wishes to them and their entire family, and wish for them to enjoy the wonderful times they will have ahead to share with their family and the community of Arviat as a whole.
Member’s Statement 042 – 3(2): Sylvia Grinnell Bridge (Okalik)
It’s good to hear these types of good news statements today and I thank the minister as this will be of tremendous assistance to our hunters this spring.
I also thank his colleague for making a statement about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and his encouragement for survivors to tell their stories.
As residents of this area, we also have painful memories and experiences to tell, especially the Inuit who grew up here.
Some of their past experiences were hard to listen to, especially the stories of how they were not allowed any freedom, even on their own lands. One of the creeks here was forbidden to be crossed by Inuit.
To hear these types of stories is distressing and painful in my opinion.
Yesterday, I asked questions about our land here. Our terrain is not all flat and the hunters’ mobility is delineated by mountains and craggy hills. This is why the residents have long requested a bridge to span the river.
This bridge would be beneficial to Inuit, especially those without boats or those who only have four-wheelers.
Nonetheless, we were informed that it would only be a pedestrian bridge.
For an Inuk, it’s basically useless to have just a walkway across the river. I would like the members sitting across the room to revisit this issue.
I hope that they conduct more extensive deliberations when reviewing projects that impact our residents who are experiencing difficulties and who also need to utilize the projects being constructed.
With that, I urge the government to review this further and to consult the original people of Iqaluit about the bridge and its possible uses because it should be available to all people, not just pedestrians.
Member’s Statement 043 – 3(2): Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission (Ningark)
I would like to thank my colleague, Mr. Louis Tapardjuk, who spoke about the residential school in Chesterfield Inlet. I first went to that school in 1955.
During our years in Chesterfield Inlet, I didn’t get abused, fortunately, and I wish to extend a big thanks to the people of Chesterfield Inlet for their hospitality.
Once our colleague, Johnny Ningeongan, goes to Chesterfield Inlet, I would like him to extend the gratitude we have to the Inuit and to the council.
Although the Truth and Reconciliation Commission doesn’t have any Inuit from Nunavut sitting on it, I urge the former residential school students to go there and to listen to the stories.
Even though an Inuk is not on that commission, interpretation will be available. All of the former students speak both Inuktitut and English.
So I implore the former residential school students to meet with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission when they arrive here in Nunavut.
We grew up, Mr. Speaker, being advised to never malign or look down on other Inuit.
When we need medical treatment, we visit our local nursing station whether there is an Inuk on staff or not. If we want to heal and if we want to go through the healing process, we can’t criticize the Truth and Reconciliation Commission appointed by our federal government because they were created to assist former students.
If we wish to be assisted, then we have to appear before them to convey our stories.
So I wish to extend a big thank you to Mr. Louis Tapardjuk, whom I went to residential school with in Chesterfield Inlet, along with the Inuit who reside there.
Member’s Statement 044 – 3(2): Rankin Inlet Graduates of the Advanced Management Program (Kusugak)
I rise today to congratulate Rankin Inlet students for graduating from the Nunavut Advanced Management Diploma Program.
I first of all would like to apologize to them because I cannot attend the event where they receive their diplomas in Rankin Inlet and I would therefore like to acknowledge them here.
(interpretation ends) I would like to congratulate the following:
Doug McLarty
Wayne Thistle
Christine Nukapiak
Louise Hickes
Sally Cormier
Kerry Angidlik
Kyle Tattuinee
Vanessa Gatehouse
Susan Locke
Jessie Adams
Jacqueline Curley
Verna Angnetsiak
Cecilia MacCallum, and
Stephanie Adams.
(interpretation) I would like to congratulate these students for graduating.
Member’s Statement 045 – 3(2): Polar Continental Shelf Project (Elliott)
I rise today to pay tribute to the important work that is undertaken at the Polar Continental Shelf Program in Resolute Bay.
Mr. Speaker, the Government of Canada recently announced funding to upgrade key arctic research facilities.
The announcement indicates that the Polar Continental Shelf Program has been “supporting science in the Canadian Arctic for the past 50 years and is nationally and internationally recognized as an outstanding and efficient research logistics provider.
The Polar Continental Shelf Program supports up to 165 research projects each year, involving over 1,100 researchers.
These studies are in a range of disciplines in the natural and social sciences, including archaeology, biology, climatology, glaciology, geology, limnology, permafrost science, sea ice studies, and traditional knowledge.
This project will help ensure the Polar Continental Shelf’s continued strong support of field research throughout Canada’s North. Funding will allow Polar Continental Shelf Program to nearly double the capacity of the Resolute facility to ensure that current and future client demands are met, provide necessary infrastructure to accommodate an extended operational season and reduce the environmental impact of Polar Continental Shelf Program’s northern operations.”
Mr. Speaker, I strongly support productive, cooperative, and respectful linkages between communities and institutions. I recently had the opportunity to visit the Polar Continental Shelf Program with our Premier, Eva Aariak, during a recent visit to Resolute Bay and had the opportunity to speak with a number of people involved with its work.
I would also like to pay tribute to the work that is undertaken by our own Nunavut Research Institute, which serves as a key linkage with the national and international scientific community.
Mr. Speaker, it is important that our communities clearly benefit from scientific work that is undertaken in our territory. When scientists conduct research in Nunavut, it is important that their findings be shared with the communities in which the work took place.
Mr. Speaker, science is another important dimension of arctic sovereignty.
I look forward to further progress in this area, including work on the proposed new High Arctic Research Station, which the Government of Canada is considering locating in Resolute Bay.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Good timing, Mr. Elliott. (interpretation) Members’ Statements.
Member’s Statement 046 – 3(2): Residential Schools Legacy (Komoartok)
I rise today to recognize the people of Pangnirtung who went to residential schools outside of the community, with some schooling held within the community.
Schooling started when people still lived in outpost camps prior to the relocation of Inuit to Pangnirtung and they constructed a building to house the students attending school in Pangnirtung.
From these outpost camps, students were sent to Churchill, Manitoba, for residential school and some furthered their education in Ottawa. I believe there were three people from Pangnirtung who were sent to Nova Scotia when they were quite young.
Young children of various ages throughout the north were sent to schools.
Although parents and grandparents wanted to maintain stewardship of their children, they had to release them to the authorities.
For many parents, they knew that they may not see their children again for a whole year and some stayed out for longer.
It was impossible at that time for students to call their parents because, in those days, we didn’t have any telephones and there was no communication for a year or more.
Sometimes when the children went back home, they were no longer familiar with their parents.
They had been indoctrinated by a different culture in a different language and alienated from their parents by virtue of having lost their traditions and language.
However, we know now that it took very strong individuals to overcome these challenges and many students didn’t want to lose their culture and language.
Some kept their language while others lost their language.
Be that as it may, we have to overcome these barriers and we have now received an apology.
Last year, former residential school students in Pangnirtung gathered together to listen to the apology made by the Prime Minister so that we could offer support to one another and we viewed the event live at the school during his apology.
This experience scarred some of our people and has impacted their lives and families by creating difficulties.
However, we were informed recently that the Official Languages Act was concurred by Parliament, which will nurture and protect our language. We hear that this law will be passed and in those days, many of us thought we would never live to see this occur because the initial efforts were to stamp out our language.
The hearings to be conducted by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission...
If you would like to conclude your statement, you will have to seek unanimous consent.
Mr. Komoartok (interpretation): I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement, it’s very brief.
Mr. Komoartok (interpretation): Thank you, my colleagues. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
In some ways, this has been a very large burden for former students. However, once the stories have been narrated to the commission and we include these stories as part of the Nunavut curriculum, it would be quite beneficial.
This should be included in the curriculum as Inuit historical experiences because of its tremendous impact on our culture and current problems.
We also recognize the impact it had on us, but we have to move beyond it and look to the future as this can help us move forward.
For those of us who experienced this, let us get going, let us initiate our healing to overcome this era and not remain stuck in that period.
Returns to Oral Questions. (interpretation ends) Hon. Louis Tapardjuk.
Return to Oral Question 057 – 3(2): Daycare Space in Chesterfield Inlet (Tapardjuk)
I reviewed the Blues from yesterday and the Member for Nanulik had asked if we can provide some funding to daycares.
I would like to correct my response as I stated that we would provide support to the communities who currently have no daycare centres.
I stated that in error, so I need to make a correction.
I would like to include this response in the record: I should have said that the Department of Education has no funding for capital to build or construct units, but we can look for funds in instances where there is an interest to start a daycare centre.
We can provide up to $5,000 to purchase items such as furniture or equipment for the daycare and we only provide support for that.
I just wanted to clarify this for the member. We don’t have funding for capital items such as daycare construction and I just wanted to make that correction in our Hansard, Mr. Speaker.
I would like to acknowledge Raymond Kayasark from Kugaaruk, who is a former residential school student from Chesterfield Inlet. He has been a mayor of the hamlet, he is currently the vice-president of the Kitikmeot Inuit Association, and he is also our local contractor for fuel distribution in Kugaaruk.
I would like to recognize Raymond.
Question 062 – 3(2): Residential Schools; Truth and Reconciliation Commission (Okalik)
I would like to apologize to my colleagues who had to go to residential schools at a very young age.
I am grateful in some ways that I was too young to attend residential school.
However, even though many of us didn’t go to the formal residential schools, we have been hurt as a result. It’s obvious that for many, they have had to undergo tremendous challenges in their lives. I am very pleased to say that former students have called to make sure that they start healing and tell their stories of their experiences.
Now, we have been hearing that some former students refuse to become involved just because there will be no Inuit sitting on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
I would prefer that those who were impacted narrate their experiences to the commission so that we may know what happened and they can start overcoming this.
I would like to ask the Premier if she will be encouraging the federal government to proceed with the process here in Nunavut and to have the Truth and Reconciliation Commission visit our communities so that former students can relate their experiences.
Yes, this is very important for former students that would like to start healing.
I’m supportive of any way or form that we can provide support to former students so that they can move forward.
I would also like to thank the Premier for that answer.
People undergoing problems have to overcome them. Will you be encouraging the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to visit all of the communities in Nunavut?
As I said, this is a very important process. We will provide support in any way or form, especially to Inuit who went through this, and make certain that we encourage the commission to consult these former students.
When you talk about your issues, you can start healing and overcome your burden. I have experienced that myself. So I’m urging the government to welcome the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to make sure that the former students speak to them.
I know the commission will face many challenges, but we will try to provide support to them and all former students. I know that it will be difficult for some to open up to the commission but let us also extend our support for them.
I didn’t hear a question, but if you would like to respond, Premier Aariak.
Yes, this is a very good forum to start working on and his comments are well noted.
Question 063 – 3(2): Status of Study of Access Houses (Ningeongan)
This past winter, I tabled a document and spoke with the Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation in regard to access housing. I was made to understand that they are reviewing that issue.
The previous homeownership program used to be called HAP housing and many people who have used the access program stated that their expenses are much higher than the HAP houses. This was apparently studied.
So I would like to ask the minister if he has a timeline with respect to the completion of the review and whether he will be tabling the results of the review in the House.
Again, I thank the member for raising that very important issue to homeowners, not only in his community but I think it’s on behalf of all homeowners throughout the territory.
Mr. Speaker, the district staff are arranging to have blower door tests done on some of the units that the member had indicated and that test is a very preliminary type test to be done on checking on energy efficiency and leakage of heat.
The corporation since then, realizing that that information itself doesn’t provide a clear enough picture of exactly what is causing the problems, is currently in negotiations right now with CMHC to have them have someone go in and do a complete energy audit.
Not only on the access units in the member’s community but it will be an energy audit of all the homes in the community of Coral Harbour, with the understanding that it will give us a better picture of not only the access houses but it will be done to public housing units as well as other homeownership units and all of the units in the community.
It will give us a better understanding of exactly where the issues are. Once the results of that are done, hopefully we will be able to come up with a plan to deal with the problems that are identified.
The minister didn’t seem to respond to my original question.
I asked the minister when he will be tabling that information in the House. Maybe if I ask him: when will you be completing the review?
I wish I could tell the member exactly when that will be done, but as I indicated, the corporation is negotiating with CMHC to come to an agreement to have a complete energy audit done of the entire community.
I can inform the member that as soon as any agreement has been made, I will inform the member of when that happens and when the plans are to go in and do the audits in the community of Coral Harbour.
As I stated last winter, the access houses are now being the vehicle for homeownership.
For many years, it was becoming apparent even prior to the audit that these units are worse than any of the HAP housing units. This aspect is fairly well known.
I rise today, Mr. Speaker, to say that people obtaining access housing in Nunavut are fairly numerous and this is a program used to initiate homeownership.
The evidence that the access units are more expensive to maintain is causing future homeowners to question their purchase of these units.
This places them in an unenviable position as future homeowners.
With respect to that study and as per my previous statement, an access housing unit in Coral Harbour was found to have no vapour barrier when they tore down part of the wall to make repairs.
After the energy audit is completed, will these people who have access housing be provided with some form of support?
Hon. Hunter Tootoo: Sorry about that, ladies and everyone else who had their earpiece on.
Mr. Speaker, I again thank the member for raising that very important issue. I do understand and appreciate him bringing this issue forward on behalf of his constituents.
As I had indicated, as a result of the member’s inquiries into the circumstances and the situation dealing with access units in his community, the corporation is committed to getting a complete energy audit done.
The preliminary blower door tests that I talked about earlier indicated that most of the leakage was around the windows and doors.
Further testing with these energy audits will clearly determine exactly how much is being leaked and if it’s being leaked from any other areas.
As the member indicated, there are some issues with the vapour barrier, but once the exact problem has been identified as a result of these energy audits, the corporation will likely look at putting together a plan to deal with the problem depending on the severity of it. But until those energy audits are done and the results are in, we won’t know.
I will commit to the member that once we know when exactly our agreement is in place with CMHC, I will provide him with that information and also when they’re looking at getting someone to come into his community so that he can ensure that they look at the exact units of the people whose issues that he’s bringing forward.
Thank you, Mr. Ningeongan.
Question 064 – 3(2): Funding for Sports and Special Occasions (Ningark)
I would like to direct my question to the Hon. Louis Tapardjuk.
Yesterday, in my Member’s Statement, I stated that residents of Repulse Bay and Kugaaruk are requesting more funds for hockey or volleyball tournaments from his department.
They also asked about funding coordinators for Christmas celebrations.
I would like to ask the minister if he can provide us with an application form or if the department is willing to provide support to the athletes’ travel for sports to other regions during celebrations as well as for Christmas events.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Ningark. (interpretation ends) Minister of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth, Hon. Louis Tapardjuk.
The Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth has contribution funds for athletes who are going to play sports at the regional level. They can access the funds by way of an application.
In regard to his other question about funding celebration events such as during Christmas, the Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth doesn’t provide funding for those types of events, but we provide funding for other sports events and traditional games.
So they can apply for funding for such events, but we don’t have any funding for celebrations during Christmas.
I would like to thank the minister for his response in that the department has funds.
Maybe he can provide me with some more information by correspondence.
There are various contribution funds that we have in our department and if you don’t have that information, I will provide all of that information to you.