EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
There are over 700,000 pounds that have been unloaded to the Pangnirtung fisheries.
The Pangnirtung fish plant has fish to clean and I know that they never get enough tonnage.
In the past years the fisherman, due to bad weather, at times cannot deplete the whole total allowable harvest. This, in turn, causes unemployment.
So I rise today to give support to the Pangnirtung fisheries and the fishermen.
They have been requesting a quota, considering they are the only Nunavut turbot fishery that can sell turbot outside of Canada. Those are the only offshore fishermen. The Pangnirtung fisheries and the fishermen are requesting more support.
I rise today to give them more support. Their goal is to operate on their own. The only time they can function on their own is when they get enough quota.
Member’s Statement 079 – 2(3): Prepare Nunavut for Proper Training in the Mining Industry (Barnabas)
I rise today on the issue of the mining training starting soon. We should be preparing early.
As we already know there was a mine in your community for 26 years. There was an agreement that 60 percent of the employees had to be Inuit and they were to get proper training.
This agreement was way behind, so only five percent Inuit were employed at the time, even though they had asked for 60 percent.
At the pace we’re going right now, if we’re going to employ Inuit, we have to start training them right now so that they can take over the positions in the mine. If they don’t start right now, we’ll be importing miners from southern Canada.
They’ll be taking over the jobs in the north.
My colleague from Arviat said earlier that this training has to start right now to prepare the people of Nunavut.
Member’s Statement 080 – 2(3): Talented Artists & Musicians of Cambridge Bay (Peterson)
I rise today to tell the House about the many talented artists, performers and musicians in Cambridge Bay.
For many years, our residents, tourists, dignitaries, ambassadors, Members of the Legislative Assembly and others have had the opportunity to watch our performers and take part in cultural events.
In fact, Mr. Speaker, it may be fair to say that they are our community’s best ambassadors because they are well known and admired around the world. I think they might be the most photographed and videotaped people in our community.
We are very proud of them and their dedication and commitment to their chosen field.
Some of our performers and musicians have distinguished themselves on the national stage. On Friday, November 25, 2005, Tanya Tagaq Gillis won the Best Female Artist at the Seventh Annual Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards for her throat singing.
Everyone at home was very happy that she was recognized for her unique singing talents. She is already a role model for many of our younger kids in Cambridge Bay who are practicing their throat singing.
The Ikaluktutiak Drum Dancers have also made a name for themselves outside of Cambridge Bay. This group, lead by Julia Ogina, Jerry Puglik and Elik Tologanak, has performed at nearly every event in our community for years.
Residents and visitors alike always look forward to their appearances.
Their combination of singing, drumming and dancing is a form of story telling that creates powerful imagery in their audiences.
Six members of this group – Julia Ogina, Quentin Crockatt, Jason Pudjuk, Leon Haniliak, Kayla Aknavigak and Jerilyn Kaniak – are performing in the production of Kiviuq for APTN.
I would like the members of the House to join me in congratulating the performers and musicians of Cambridge Bay on their many achievements and to wish them continued success wherever they are in the world.
Member’s Statement 081 – 2(3): Opening of Rehabilitation Centre in Iqaluit (Picco)
I want to take this opportunity to comment on the opening last week of the Rehabilitation Centre here in Iqaluit.
Four services, including audiology, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, as well as pediatric treatments will be available.
These will be available for the first time under one roof here in Nunavut. That is a momentous change for healthcare in the territory.
Rehabilitation services address developmental delays, physical impairment, access and mobility issues, cognitive disabilities, mental health, hearing loss, and speech disorders.
Physiotherapy helps clients in pain through non-surgical treatment of affected muscles and joints. Occupational therapy helps the client with their environment achieve greater function, through modification of behaviour and setting. Audiologists assess and remediate a client’s hearing impairment or balance problems.
How will Nunavummiut be able to access these rehabilitation services?
Please contact your healthcare provider or you can also call the centre at 975-5970 if you have any questions about the services they offer.
Minister Aglukkaq and her health team are to be congratulated for moving forward on this initiative.
Now many of our constituents will not have to go south for many of these treatments. In most cases, many of these constituents and patients are elders.
So congratulations to Minister Aglukkaq and the Department of Health.
Return to Oral Question 071 – 2(3): Workshop on Shamanism (Tapardjuk)
This was asked by the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Nanulik, Mr. Netser, Question 071 – 2(3).
The title is: Shamanism and Wicca Instruction.
The question he asked on November 24, 2005, was in regard to any information regarding any workshop or courses that are held on Shamanism.
Further research into the question revealed that the member was referring to an information session hosted by the Department of Education for their staff.
These informal sessions on different aspects of Inuit culture are regularly held by various departments to cater to the interests and requests of staff.
Upon request, Tutarvik members are often available to assist their colleagues on specific topics such as Shamanism, family kinship, social order and incorporating Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit principles. They are usually invited.
Return to Oral Question 083 – 2(3): Changes to Down Payment Assistance Program (Akesuk)
Earlier this week Mr. Tootoo asked me about the Nunavut Down Payment Assistance Program, Question 083 – 2 (3).
I rise today to give the information out to my colleagues here in the house.
Question 099 – 2(3): Disregarding the Priority Hiring Policy (Tootoo)
Mr. Tootoo: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question today is for the Minister Responsible for Finance.
Mr. Speaker, yesterday I questioned the Minister responsible for Human Resources on why positions are cancelled and he indicated in his response that sometimes they are cancelled for Article 23 consideration.
Mr. Speaker, my question to the Minister of Finance is in the particular case of the manager of the Liquor Warehouse, here in Iqaluit. Why or how did the minister allow his department to disregard the priority hiring policy in this particular instance?
Hon. David Simailak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. According to my understanding, they have managed to find a qualified person. That position was originally a term position.
So for that reason, Human Resources were asked to put a stop to that advertisement.
It’s my understanding that there are a number of people working down there that are beneficiaries.
One of them, Mr. Speaker, has been there for six years and has acted in the managing capacity.
Does the Minister or the Department’s officials feel that that isn’t adequate experience for running that facility?
If the person was good enough to act in the capacity in the past, why did they not consider that individual?
My understanding is that individual even applied for the job. Why did they go looking elsewhere instead of looking at an individual that is already there?
I don’t have all the information but I do know this person was hired because he was qualified.
The warehouse is in better working condition now.
That person was asked if he can work for one year until the person he replaced comes back on June 1, 2006.
I think this is a perfect example of what I indicated yesterday.
The priority hiring policy of the government seems to be a policy of convenience, being used when is convenient for departmental officials.
Mr. Speaker, there was an individual that had 6 years experience and has worked in an acting capacity in that position.
Why didn’t the Department of Finance go to that beneficiary and ask him if he is interested in filling that term position for one year.
Hon. David Simailak (interpretation): As I stated earlier I don’t have all the detailed information but I will try and get more information.
I can state that I’ll inform my staff to be more careful in what procedure they’re using.
I will make sure that our staff looks into this.
I think it is only fair that all people applying for positions in Nunavut are treated equally and fairly.
And, not conveniently, the government’s own policy disregarded.
Like I said it is a perfect example of showing that it is a policy of convenience and I think some steps need to be taken to tighten up these practices.
The Department of Human Resources has an Inuit employment division within its department.
Maybe there should be a position for policing things like this.
It’s kind of like having Parks and Environment and splitting them up. Maybe they should be looking at moving the Inuit employment division out of the Department of Human Resources; maybe under the Department of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs, making it a secretariat and giving it some teeth to actually do something about things like this.
We have to make sure that people out there are being treated fairly and not missing out on employment opportunities because someone else is a close friend or knows somebody.
Actions like this give that perception out there.
We wonder why people are feeling frustrated at not being able to obtain employment with the government when there are situations like this going on.
Will the minister commit to thoroughly looking into how and why this flagrant disregard for government policy happened and report back to the House?
Hon. David Simailak: (interpretation) Yes, I will look into this further as to what procedure was taken and why they went that route.
As I stated earlier, I will make sure that this kind of behaviour will not be tolerated.
Question 100 – 2(3): Status of the Peary Caribou Issue (Barnabas)
I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Environment. (interpretation ends) Earlier this year, we heard concerns that the federal government was considering listing the Peary caribou herd as endangered under the Species at Risk Act.
In July, the federal minister announced that the government would be consulting with NWMB on this issue. The communities of the High Arctic want to be involved in this issue.
Our hunters and elders expect that their traditional knowledge will be heard when making decisions in this area.
Can the minister update us today on the status of the Peary caribou issue?
As of now, the national recovering strategy for Peary caribou has been developed at management council consultations with Resolute Bay and Grise Fiord.
As of now, the NWMB and DOE staff, the technical staff are reviewing the documents. We are reviewing how we are going to approach this.
Recently, I heard a concern that a unilingual elder was not allowed to board a helicopter that was surveying a herd.
We know that unilingual Inuit travel on airplanes every day, so I cannot understand why this could not be accommodated. Can the minister assure me that local elders and hunters will be consulted when population studies are being conducted?
Hon. Olayuk Akesuk: Thank you. As the Department of Environment, our mandate is to work closely with all of the HTO members of all of the communities to do a proper consultation and research any animals that we want to research.
So, I believe that as DOE, we will all work very closely with HTO.
For the elder, I think that safety was the concern due to proper insurance coverage in case the chopper crashes.
So we will certainly work very closely with the elders and the communities that are affected by any research being done here in Nunavut.
I would also like to thank the minister for giving that response.
(interpretation ends) We know that a federal election is now underway. What issues and priorities will our minister be bringing forward next year when the next federal Environment Minister takes office?
Myself, as the Minister of Environment, and our new Environment Department colleague will certainly work very closely with each other to make sure that we have good communication and use the Land Claims Agreement procedures to conduct any consultations that have to be done within Nunavut.
Question 101 – 2(3): $5 Million to Non-Decentralized Communities (Mapsalak)
In the Commissioner’s Address that was delivered in the House early this month, it indicated that the government plans to invest $5 million in community economic development with an emphasis on supporting non-decentralized communities.
Can the minister tell us, today, how he will consult with non-decentralized communities such as Repulse Bay and Kugaaruk in allocating these funds with other non-decentralized communities? Could the minister respond please?
Speaker (interpretation): Minister Premier.
This $5 million will be geared towards the smaller communities.
We haven’t made any plans yet on how it’s going to be organized, but we would like to know what kinds of concerns the communities have.
But, I can tell the member that this $5 million is geared towards community economic development in the non-decentralized communities.
But, at this time, we haven’t made any decisions on how it’s going to be structured. These monies are coming from the federal government.
At this time, the smaller communities usually have to set up capital projects and there is very limited employment.
What kinds of projects or programs will be considered for funding under this plan?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker, once again.
As I stated earlier, we haven’t figured out what we’re going to be using this pot of money for at this time.
We’re going to be looking at the most economical and beneficial means.
We are currently working on it and I’m sure that the Minister of Economic Development and Transportation will put this money to good use and to make it a design so that the smaller communities can benefit from it.
When will we start to see announcements being made on the allocation of these funds?
The Minister of Economic Development and Transportation will be able to make an announcement after our winter session.
Question 102 – 2(3): Status of Mining Issues (Evyagotailak)
My question is directed to the Minister responsible for Mines.
As the minister knows, mining is the key to the economic future of the Kitikmeot region, as well as Nunavut as a whole.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I’m concerned about the issues of uranium mining in the Kitikmeot region.
The Coppermine River area has uranium mining potential.
I have heard concerns that development in this area has been slowed down because of the problem filling seats on such regulatory bodies as the Nunavut Water Board and the Nunavut Planning Commission.
Companies are having trouble getting permits. Mr. Speaker, can the minister update us today on the status of this issue?
Speaker (interpretation): Minister responsible for Mining, Mr. Kilabuk.
Hon. Peter Kilabuk: The information that I have in relation to vacant positions is that the position is a joint effort between Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated and the Government of Nunavut.
So, Mr. Speaker, I will definitely find answers to my colleagues question on this matter, in relation to the vacant position.
I understand that the Minister’s department is working on the Nunavut Mining Strategy.
Can he tell us how close the strategy is to being finished and if the strategy will also address the issues of uranium mining?
The report will be released in this coming winter of 2006. And as my colleague referred to, this strategy will set out the vision of mining.
I won’t have the specific information for uranium to update my colleague at this time until later on in the winter of 2006.
As the Minister responsible for Mines, how are you working with the Kitikmeot communities, including Kugluktuk, on mining issues?
In the working relations with the Kitikmeot region on this file, my staff is dealing with the work necessary to advance this plan.
I can assure my colleague that the key stakeholders of my department are working with their key stakeholders to complete further discussions on this strategy.
And, I will remain committed to providing to my colleague an update as this work progresses.
Mr. Speaker, what goals does the minister have for 2006 with respect to developing the Mining Strategy?
The preparation for the mineral exploration and mining strategy is near completion and as I indicated to my colleague I am expecting this part of the work to be done sometime in December next month and will be released in the winter of 2006.
Those are the events that are taking place in the next couple of months, at which time I will share with my colleague and the House an update.
Question 103 – 2(3): Defining Shamanism (Netser)
Mr. Speaker, I’d like to forward my question to Mr. Tapardjuk. I would like to thank him first of all for responding to a question that I posed on November 24 on the subject of Shamanism.
Can he define to this House what Shamanism means?
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): I’m not sure how we can define Shamanism, but my understanding is the Inuit culture used it a long time ago.
From what I can remember such people as Aupilaarjuk did a workshop at Arctic College. He did an information session for the people taking the course.
He talked about Shamanism stating that Inuit people long time ago used to have the use of shamans. This is as far as I know.
I’m not exactly sure why I asked the Minister what the definition of Shamanism is (interpretation ends).
The definition of shamanism in the Miriam Webster Dictionary is a religion practiced by indigenous people of far northern Europe and Siberia, we are a part of far northern Europe that is characterized by a belief in an unseen world of gods, such as demons, and ancestral spirits, responsive only to shamans, and also to any similar religious activities.
Having heard that the Department of Education had workshops in shamanism, means that they are promoting religion; is that true, Mr. Speaker?
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): It’s a belief. It is not a religion.
I don’t think we can call it a religion, it is a belief, but it is not a religious belief.
We could call Christianity a religion, but Shamanism is not a religion, but it is a belief by the people.
For instance, healing the sick, Inuit had this tradition, whereby moving things that aren’t spiritual. That is what I understand shamanism to be.
It is not an organized religion like Anglican, Catholic, Pentecostal, and those kinds of denominations. Shamanism is a belief but not a religion. They just wanted the people to be able to have a belief in Shamanism that way.
I have been with elders before and they pray to something that they believe in that is not visible.
To me Shamanism is a religion.
It just seems like they are trying to convert you into Shamanism from Christianity.
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): In English he quoted from the dictionary, he said that it’s a religion.
I’m trying to say is that I don’t think it has anything to do with religion. It’s just a belief that they have as aboriginal people to practice Shamanism.
I have heard that they used people...it’s not quite the same as religion.
Mr. Netser: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) I was raised with elders in the Kivalliq region.
At that time, when they practiced Shamanism they didn’t know anything else. They didn’t know religion at that time.
But, when Christianity came, they saw a better practice and that’s what they use now.
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): Yes, I have heard that as well, that Inuit had different practices, and they had different laws and it was very strict, so they went according to what they believed in.
So when Christianity came into the communities, they believed that Christianity or religion was better for them and they wanted to practice that Christianity and they didn’t want to use Shamanism anymore because of the difficulties and the hardship that they were encountering.
They, in turn, went to practicing Christianity.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you .Oral Questions.
Question 104 – 2(3): Update on a $60,000 Sole Source Contract (Curley)
Earlier this week, the government tabled a number of reports on his contracted activities in the 2004-05 fiscal year.
One item that drew my attention was a $60,000 sole source contract with Hill and Knowlton Canada, a well-known lobbying firm.
Given that the minister’s department already has a well-staffed office in Ottawa, can the minister tell the House what this firm has actually accomplished to earn $60,000 in fees, and why our own officials couldn’t do the work?
Speaker (interpretation): Premier. Mr. Okalik.
I know that Hill and Knowlton are used by the Members of Parliament as advisors.
This $60,000 was for their operations.
I have another question. Can the minister confirm whether the Government of Nunavut has also contracted with the Earnscliffe Strategy Group, and if so, what is this contract for and how much is it worth?
As a government, we use the Earnscliffe Strategy Group; I can’t say how much we’re going to be giving them.
Can the minister explain the process by which it selects those lobbying firms and tell the House why the Government of Nunavut chose to sole source them?
They’re a lot cheaper than using our own staff and they have assisted us greatly when we meet with the federal government. They advise us on things that we should know and they have helped us in what kinds of things that we should be doing when we have talks with the federal government.
I just want to be clear, that one contract for Earnscliffe Strategy Group was not responded to. I would like the minister to take that as notice and provide information later to the House the amount of the contract and exactly how much it is worth during this fiscal year. It is not listed under contracts.
Can the minister confirm that he can provide that information later?
This is a yearly $60 thousand fee and it is usually the same amount that we pay them every year.
Question 105 – 2(3): Strategy to Combat Youth Suicide (Peterson)
The minister’s department is responsible for an entity within the department called Nunavut’s Promise to Children and Youth. According to the business plan this body is supposed to be developing a five-year strategy for children and youth that will include coordinated programs and services.
My question to the Minister is, what are the three most important tangible things that this body has accomplished over the last year to help combat youth suicide?
The Nunavut Promise for Youth in an inter-cooperated group with the department. It is a departmental group. They work on the logistics of delivering programs and services on behalf of youth and children in Nunavut.
For example, Mr. Speaker, as the member knows the youth initiatives like youth centres and so on are found under Culture, Language, Elders and Youth. Education looks after the K to 12 side and Mr. Speaker, some of the other departments involved, like Justice, are trying to come up with a strategy for some of these challenges.
Mr. Speaker, we also have the Embrace Life Council, which is one of the recommendations that came out of a motion by all Members of this House when I was the Minister of Health two years ago. And, that group, Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Government of Nunavut and all Nunavummiut have been proactive in working on a coordinated strategy for suicide.
I thank the minister for his answer. Mr. Speaker, according to the department business plan, this entity has, and I will quote, “…continued to work to develop an inventory and database of resources, policies, programs and services for children and youth in Nunavut and continue to develop networks nationally and across the territory to develop a strategy on the needs of Nunavummiut.”