EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Three travelling exhibits were donated to each of the Regional School Operations so that Nunavut students can enjoy and learn from them.
Each exhibit is accompanied by an educational kit including a booklet and 20 photographic slides.
This exhibit also reminds us about the value of protecting and caring for our archaeological sites so that we will continue to learn more about our past.
The Ancient History of Nunavut is on display in the Legislative lobby and I invite members to take some time to view it for themselves.
Minister's Statement 128 - 1(5): M'Clintock Channel Polar Bear Moratorium
Good morning my colleagues.
In January 2001, based on the best available scientific information and the Department of Sustainable Development's management recommendations, the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board reduced the 2000/2001 M'Clintock polar bear quota and a moratorium began with the 2001/2002 hunting season.
(interpretation ends) Department of Sustainable Development officials met with representatives of the Hunters' and Trappers' Organizations from the three affected communities as well as the Kitikmeot Hunters' and Trappers' Association to draw up new management plans for the polar bear population.
During those meetings the harvesters raised two important concerns.
The first concern was that not enough Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit has been used in the management of the population.
Therefore in September of 2000, my department conducted interviews with experienced polar bear hunters in the region.
Mr. Speaker, this was conducted months before the moratorium was concluded.
The results were used by both Department of Sustainable Development and the NWMB in establishing the quota reduction and moratorium.
The Department of Sustainable Development, NWMB and NTI are also planning to jointly fund an extensive Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit study proposed by the Gjoa Haven HTO.
It will examine polar bears, sea ice conditions and seal abundance in order to try and understand more fully what has been happening in this region and to see how Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit can contribute in future polar bear management.
The second concern was that the reduction of the quota would result in significant economic loss to the communities.
Department of Sustainable Development created a special economic initiative fund that will allow the three effected communities to develop and implement the economic strategies that would lessen the expected losses of income and work arising from the moratorium.
In June 2001, in order to ensure that the affected communities fully benefited from the fund, Department of Sustainable Development contracted a consultant to work closely with HTOs to identify feasible community based economic alternatives for the HTOs and document these results in a M'Clintock Channel Options Report.
This report is now in the hands of all the parties involved.
(interpretation) I feel that our efforts to date to protect the M'Clintock Channel population and develop new economic opportunities in this area are progressing well.
Minister's Statement 129 - 1(5): Nunavut Arctic College Annual Report
Later today I will be tabling the Annual Report of Nunavut Arctic College, before the Members of the Legislature in both English and Inuktitut.
The college's annual report contains interesting information about the college's highly successful 1999/2000 year of program and service delivery.
Details of the programs provided by each campus and the Nunavut Research Institute are included.
In an effort to ensure that College programs are accessible to all Nunavummiut, and to ensure the most cost effective and efficient delivery, the Board of Governors of the college continue to examine ways to align management and administration for the maximum possible benefit.
An important highlight of the report is that during the 1999/2000 academic year, 77% of college students were able to register for courses, including certificate and diploma programs delivered in their home communities.
Mr. Speaker, once again, I am pleased to table this annual report and I commend Arctic College on its accomplishments.
Minister's Statement 130 - 1(5): Interdepartmental/Interagency Suicide Prevention Committee
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about a fine example of people working together to show their profound concern for the toll that suicide has taken in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, the inter-departmental, inter-agency suicide prevention committee began when a representative from our department joined forces with another individual from education many months ago.
Mr. Speaker, as a result of their efforts the committee has grown to include representatives from the Department of Sustainable Development, Human Resources, Education, Community Government & Transportation, Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs, Health and Social Services and Mr. Speaker, Justice.
In addition, we are joined by the Nunavut Social Development Council, the RCMP, the Nunavut Federation of Teachers, the Nunavut Help Line and the Nunavut Housing Corporation. Mr. Speaker, I should also add that elders form a very important part of this committee.
This committee represents the best in people.
They have volunteered, they have taken on this added responsibility because they feel deeply that something has to be done.
There contribution is a credit to their initiative and to the support of the many directors, managers and assistant directors, assistant Deputy Minister as well as Deputy Minister within the various departments.
Mr. Speaker, I am sure that we would all agree that suicide prevention is everybody's business.
The members of this committee have demonstrated their commitment to this belief.
I believe they would be able to appeal to and mobilize a wider array of personnel and services that could be done by any one department alone.
Mr. Speaker, I invite my colleagues to join me in thanking the Members of the Interdepartmental Agency on Suicide Prevention Committee for their initiative.
Member's Statement 357 - 1(5): “Grind and Brew” Relocation
Mr. Speaker, I always try to support the private sector in this legislature and promote them.
Today is a bit of a historical day.
One of this community's landmark Inuit businesses is shutting its doors and relocating.
This business serves up the best cup of coffee in Nunavut.
The cozy, friendly, hospitable Grind and Brew will be moving to new premises.
I had my last cup of coffee there this morning, Mr. Speaker and asked the owners why they were relocating.
They told me that the loquacious Health Minister would show up for his favourite brew and drive out all their customers.
Mr. Speaker, this is why they are relocating and they are hoping that it takes him awhile to find the new location.
Member's Statement 358 - 1(5): Cough Medicine
I want to inform the House that ITC is going to have their 30 year Anniversary soon.
They will be celebrating their 30 years and I can speak for all Inuit to say that we are all proud of them.
We can now stand on our own today because the initiative ITC took on many years ago.
What I wanted to talk about today was that my two sons have had a very bad cold and it reminded me that when I was just a young lad I used to take cough syrup.
There were no hospitals at that time.
Father Forney use to give out the medicine a long time ago.
One time my mother asked me to go get some cough syrup from the mission house. So I went there and he gave me a bottle of cough syrup and I went out I took a sip, I started walking home but my coughing was still persistent so I took another sip of the medicine.
Down on the ice I could see people playing soccer and I wanted to go there but my cough was still persistent, I finished the whole bottle of cough syrup and I still had a cough.
I was walking for 5 minutes and I was still coughing.
I went home and my mother asked me, so where is the cough syrup.
So I showed her the empty bottle and I was still coughing.
I don't recall the rest of it because I think I fell asleep from overdosing on the cough syrup.
Member's Statement 359 - 1(5): Nanisivik Mine Closure
Mr. Speaker today I would like to express my dissatisfaction with the way the government is handling the Nanisivik Mine closure.
Earlier this week I heard the Deputy Minister of Community Government & Transportation say on CBC that the Government of Nunavut has not yet received any official notification of the closure of the mine.
Mr. Speaker, I can't understand this anymore.
Over a month ago Breakwater Resources publicly announced that the mine will close in September 2002.
Later today I will be tabling the press release that the company put out on this issue, so that the government can see what the news is for itself.
Mr. Speaker, I have been pushing for the government to establish a working group to address this matter.
I will continue to push for general community representation on any body that will make decisions affecting the communities I represent.
Mr. Speaker, I will push to get a commitment from the Minister of Sustainable Development that he will move forward on this issue.
During this time of uncertainty in the high arctic it is important that the government be clear about its intents for the communities there.
It is important that we not hide behind bureaucratic formalities instead of taking action.
Member's Statement 360 - 1(5): Assistance by Catholic Priests to Kugaaruk
I don’t have a joke to tell you this morning even though it's Friday when we normally make light statements.
Mr. Speaker, I have vivid memories of the days gone by.
Among those memories that are most close is how kind and generous the missionaries were about forty years ago.
Mr. Speaker, our community was called Pelly Bay at that time but has changed its name to Kugaaruk.
There was no Hudson’s Bay Company post, no RCMP and no doctor or nurse.
The only non-Inuk in Kugaaruk at the time was a Roman Catholic missionary named Father Vanderville.
They were occasional visits from one of the priests but most priests lived a solitary life.
Mr. Speaker, to say the least many of the missionaries wore many hats besides their spiritual guidance.
As far as legal prescription would allow it they distributed medicines and provided medical help to those in need.
Mr. Speaker, I salute the many missionaries of the days gone by that cared about our well being then.
Member's Statement 361 - 1(5): Arrival of Police in Inuit Camps
I want to make a few comments about something that I have experienced and it is a true story.
I’m sure it happened not only to me but probably many others as well.
My friend, Mr. Picco, as you know is a non-Inuk, a Qallunaaq.
When we were young in the 1960’s we’d rarely see non-Inuit and when we did we would be very intimidated and it was a scary experience.
That was the way of life in those days in the 60’s.
When the RCMP came to our outpost camps they set up a camp across from our camp.
So it was quite scary to go near the camp because of course they were RCMP.
The sins or naughty things I had done in my life were coming back to me, because of this authority.
So I’m still me today but it’s totally different now.
My friend Mr. Picco last year, this is a true story.
I asked him some questions and we left the House and went to a quiet room by ourselves.
We just about got into a physical fight at that time.
So this how changed it is from days gone by to now, how Inuit view the Qallunaaq.
Member's Statement 362 - 1(5): Arts and Crafts Producers
Mr. Speaker, first of all I would like to say hello to constituents in Taloyoak and Gjoa Haven.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about carvers.
I don’t talk about carvers every day.
But I rise today to speak about carvers.
I understand what carvers go through because I was a carver myself.
The carvers are a recognized group within Nunavut.
Our carvers are known worldwide because of the excellent work they do.
I would like to recognize the carvers as well the seamstresses that do tapestry, crafts and wall hangings.
This activity shows what resources can be utilized in the Nunavut communities.
This is shown through tapestries and through soapstone carvings.
They are not only soapstone and tapestries, there are stories behind all these artistic creations.
Because of these talents we can say that Nunavut is very creative.
Nunavut has creative people who are very artistic.
Sometimes communities are not able to support local artwork.
The sealskin sewers and other artists are not supported enough in the communities because of the lack of employment in the local communities.
It is difficult sometimes to buy their carvings.
But we want to keep on supporting their artistic responsibilities.
Even if it is very difficult as carvers and seamstresses I would like to encourage all artists to keep up their work because they'll always be supported in some way.
So for this reason Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the carvers and tapestry makers and seamstresses.
Member's Statement 363 - 1(5): Polar Bear Zones
Thank you for your statements this morning.
Today I rise to talk about polar bears, since I too have hunted polar bears.
I have the utmost respect for them.
Today polar bears are getting closer to the communities, they can appear at any time.
In my community, we’ve always had problems with polar bears.
When a polar bear biologist came to Clyde River we informed him and told him that where the polar bears roam is not predictable.
They travel to and from Greenland and the biologists were not aware of this.
But at this time they have produced a map with boundaries.
I am not able to draw a map as well as a biologist.
But this is a diagram that I drew of a farm with fences and boundaries, much like the biologists drew a map of our polar bear homelands.
This is the way the biologists would have you believe that our polar bear population lives, with boundaries that they don’t go outside of.
This is nonsense, polar bears don’t respect boundaries, they go wherever they want to go.
We don't have herds of polar bears like the biologists are used to, like on a farm where the biologists come from.
We do not have farm animals in Nunavut.
Member's Statement 364- 1(5): Meaning of Quickstop
As members know I am a bit on the heavy side and I went to the store with my son to the Quick Stop, which in English means you can be in and out really fast.
When we got there I opened my truck door at the same time as my son did.
I remember coming out of the truck but my feet didn't land properly and I slid right under the truck and there I was lying on my back under the truck.
As soon as I fell down I tried to get back up as soon as possible.
As soon as I got up I started looking around to make sure nobody was looking at me.
My son who was in front of the truck, even before he came to the other end of the truck I got up so fast from the ground, before he came around to check on me.
Mr. Speaker, I just wanted to tell you that I now know the meaning of Quick in Quick Stop.
>>Applause & Laughter
Member's Statement 365 - 1(5): MLAs Vs. Women’s Hockey Team Challenge
Mr. Speaker, today I'd like to draw the attention of all Members of this House and people that are watching on TV to an event that will be happening today.
Mr. Speaker, the women’s hockey team in Iqaluit has challenged the Members of the Legislative Assembly of this House to a hockey game tonight.
Mr. Speaker, we played them last year in a game and it was a narrow victory.
I know that they have improved Mr. Speaker, their number has grown.
This year I am kind of worried.
We are going to be without our Gilmour type player, Mr. Akesuk, who will be travelling on government business.
I am kind of worried that without his Gilmour type play we won't be able to succeed tonight.
Another thing that worries me Mr. Speaker is that we have a Pavel Bure type player, Minister Picco.
Pavel Bure is well known as a hog and cherry picker.
We are kind of worried about having a player like that in our team.
Mr. Speaker, as you know if you watched the game last year, Mr. Picco was a defenceman and it is the first time in my life that I’ve seen a defenceman always hanging out in front of the other team’s net.
It is something that worries me and hopefully the lesson was learned and we won't see that similar type of behaviour this year.
Another thing that I am kind of worried about is Mr. Speaker, last year we had Mr. Okalik in the net with us and he too is out of town on government business.
So I am kind of worried that I understand that we have a rather Liberal goal tender in the way of Chris “de’Save” Lalande and I am kind of worried.
I have never seen him play.
So I am really worried about it.
What I think we are going to have to count on Mr. Speaker is our solid defence play like Jacque Lemers Minnesota Wild and that is what we are going to need.
Solid defensive play and hopefully we will be a team on the move lead by the Minister of Transportation this afternoon Mr. Speaker.
I urge all members to come and watch if they are not going to play.
This is a fundraiser for the women's hockey team and all monies raised will assist them in travelling to competitions.
Member's Statement 366 - 1(5): Above and Beyond Magazine Owned by Inuit
Yesterday I made a member’s statement about Up Here magazine and made a grave error.
I had suggested that this magazine was owned by Inuit when in fact the owners are non-Inuit from Yellowknife.
I was trying to refer to Above and Beyond magazine when I was talking about the little boy wearing a caribou outfit in the advertisement.
I just wanted to correct this mistake I made.
Up Here magazine is not owned by Inuit but Above and Beyond magazine is.
Member's Statement 367 - 1(5): Hunting Experiences in Hall Beach
Mr. Speaker, I thank all the members for mentioning me in their statements and I would also like to mention the statement made by the Member for Kugaaruk about Ataqu Vindi Vindi.
When I lived in Hall Beach about 17 or 18 years ago Ataqu Vindi Vindi used to live there too.
I could tell you some stories, maybe on another Friday about that.
Mr. Speaker, the best way of learning is to watch and to see how things are done.
Mr. Speaker, the Member from Hall Beach and Igloolik, the Member for Amittuq, Enoki would also tell me how to tie my kamotik, and indeed Mr. Speaker, he showed me how to tie it several times.
I remember Mr. Speaker, many times my jerry can would fall off, my fox would fall off Mr. Speaker, and my kamotik would become untied.
He would keep trying to show me the proper way to do it.
He got me one time from an old guy who has now passed on, Mr. Tassurapik, some ujuk rope and I still couldn't get it right.
Later that spring and summer Mr. Speaker, we went seal hunting and when we were out seal hunting I tried three or four real long shots and we were at a place near Igloolik, I guess about 20 miles north of Hall Beach in a place called Uglik. North Uglik Island.
Enoki said to me, you're no good at long shots you can't hit anything.
As soon as he said that the seal came right up next to the boat, maybe a foot away.
He was driving the boat so I had a chance to shoot.
Now the seal was right there and I took careful aim Mr. Speaker, I shot twice.
The seal got away, I missed.
Enoki told me to give up hunting and to give up shooting, he told me to maybe give up trying to tie a kamotik.
But I thank Enoki because he never gave up on me.
Later that winter we went out hunting and my machine broke down.
I used to hunt by myself and he would always tell me, are you losing your mind.
At that time we would use a rope for pulling the kamotik, we didn't use a hitch.
I was about 25 miles out of Hall Beach and it was getting a bit stormy as I remember and my machine broke down.
I couldn't get going and all of a sudden this lone skidoo came by and it was Enoki.
I think I would probably still be out there, so I would like to thank him for not giving up on me and for helping with my shooting.
I think my shooting has improved in that fourteen or fifteen years.
If you do put your hand up.
Member's Statement 368 - 1(5): Recognition of Cape Dorset & Kimmirut Pages
I hope you are playing hockey tonight.
I haven't seen you play hockey yet, so hopefully we will see you there tonight.
Or these guys will.
(interpretation) I would like to thank my family, my wife and my children for their ongoing support.
I believe that students are very important for the viability of Nunavut.
I asked the Department of Education who helped students from two communities in my constituency come to Iqaluit to attend educational programs being provided here in Iqaluit.
So from Cape Dorset I would like to recognize the pages, Sarah Ashoona over there and Susie Ashevak just by the door and Niviaksie Adla is over here.
The two from Kimmirut are Cynthia Pitsiulak, and on your right is Davidee Temela, these pages are from my constituency.
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Akesuk. I will be playing hockey tonight, and I will be playing on the boys' team.
I am very proud to recognise two people that are very dear to me, both people were campaigning on behalf of my election as I was trying to become an MLA.
I have asked these people to come this week.
When the Nunavut Government was just being first talked about this person was very helpful in negotiating for Nunavut to become a reality with the Federal Government.
So I would like to recognise Lucassie Ivalu for his hard work when he was negotiating for Nunavut.
As well from Hall Beach, Linda Seakuluk, as she was also doing this.
I am planning to marry her next year.
Mr. Speaker, I too would like to welcome to the gallery Mr. Ivalu, that well known entrepreneur, from the community of Igloolik.
I also want to welcome Linda Seakuluk to the gallery.
She is wearing a Toronto Maple Leaf jersey as Enoki just said.
Two years ago when I was in Yellowknife as an MLA, Enoki used to phone me and we would make bets on hockey games Especially when the Chicago Blackhawks were playing the Toronto Maple Leafs.
As I remember I think I lost every one of those bets.
But I would like Mr. Speaker, to welcome Linda to the gallery, I think at home maybe tonight if Enoki is going to the game with Linda I can provide a Chicago Blackhawks sweater for Linda.
I think she would be very proud to wear that instead of the Leaf one.
Question 369 - 1(5): Role of DEAs Working with the Department of Education
The other day he did a Minister's Statement talking about the new Education Act for Nunavut.
In his statement Mr. Speaker, he talks about the responsibility of the DEAs.
I'd like to ask the minister what role does he see the DEAs playing in education in working with the department.
Yes, our policies specify what kind of roles and responsibilities the DEAs will have at the community level.
We work closely with them while we are looking for new teachers and they give us assistance in hiring new teachers.
I am very proud of the fact that they can hire their own teachers at their local level.
We work with them on the calendar year planning and although we have many responsibilities our goal is to have the best education system for all the students in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, as the minister is aware and I've mentioned also in the House, I'll use as an example the DEA here in Iqaluit.
I am sure other DEAs used to be responsible for signing off and reviewing the budgets and monitoring how the schools were doing financially with their budget.
Is that something that the minister still sees as a role to be played by the DEA.
As a matter of fact I have seen documents that show clearly where correspondence was forwarded and communicated with the District Education Authority on the specific matter of sharing with them the information as to how much the budget was and this was done earlier in the year.
It has been done with the DEA in Iqaluit.
But I also want to assure the members that this practice is done with all the other DEAs in Nunavut as well.
Mr. Speaker, the other day I tabled a document and it was information provided to the DEA by the department when the DEA asked the department if they could see where their schools were at financially.
Mr. Speaker, as everyone knows, they have seen that document that I tabled.
All it had was the name of the school, a list of 8-9 numbers and a budget amount.
Nothing telling what it is for, or information as to where they are to date.