EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
As a former skilled trades worker myself, I’m well aware of the effort and commitment required to attain certified journeyperson status.
The QEC’s Apprenticeship Program offers an excellent opportunity for Inuit who are looking to pursue a career in the skilled trade sector.
The QEC program supports the Government of Nunavut’s top priority to develop and grow our territory’s pool of skilled Inuit through Article 23 of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement in order to keep pace with Nunavut’s steady growth.
Mr. Speaker, the QEC continues to be one of the most successful organizations in hiring, training, and retaining Nunavut Inuit employees.
Education programs, such as the QEC’s apprenticeship scheme, reduce our dependence on hiring skilled workers from outside of Nunavut and enable Inuit to take advantage of employment and training opportunities within our territory.
Government support of apprenticeship programs invests in the future of our people so that our goal to have a public sector workforce that reflects the Inuit population can be achieved.
Before we proceed, I have an announcement to make.
You probably noticed that Alexander Sammurtok, Member for Rankin Inlet South, will not be in the House all week for personal reasons.
Member’s Statement 468 – 4(3): Wishing a Safe Hunting Season for Sanikiluaq (Rumbolt)
Before I begin my Member’s Statement, I would like to wish Mr. Monteith a happy retirement.
Just so that people know, in 1976 he was the Hudson’s Bay manager in Sanikiluaq.
Mr. Speaker, tomorrow marks the opening day of Sanikiluaq’s annual polar bear hunt. Mr. Speaker, I usually take advantage of Sanikiluaq’s annual bear hunt to spend quality time hunting with my son. Unfortunately I will not be able to spend this hunting season in the community.
However, I am grateful that I am able to use my time to day in the House to stress the importance of these hunts, which provide communities across Nunavut with the opportunity to spend time on the land and sea.
Many of us here today have experienced first hand the joy that seasonal hunts bring to our communities and the people.
I would like to wish my son and all the hunters in Sanikiluaq a safe and successful hunt. Remember to take all precautions before embarking on your journey.
Dress warm, bring the necessary equipment, tell someone in the community where you plan to travel, when you plan to return, and bring a hunting buddy.
I encourage everyone to bring with them a SPOT device and, if you cannot access one, bring some other sort of communications equipment in case of an emergency.
Mr. Speaker, effective wildlife management and conservation of the land will ensure that Nunavummiut are able to enjoy these important traditions for years to come.
I look forward to hearing more about the government’s plans in these areas as we continue to consider its budget during this sitting.
Even more so I look forward to hearing the stories from everyone back home, including my son, about this year’s polar bear hunt.
Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing everyone in Sanikiluaq a very safe and happy hunting season.
Member’s Statement 469 – 4(3): Qajaq-making Initiative at Netsilik High School (Qirngnuq)
I say “good day” to my fellow residents of Kugaaruk and the people of Taloyoak.
I say “good day” to everyone in the House.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I rise today to inform the House about a positive initiative at Taloyoak’s Netsilik High School.
Mr. Speaker, during a recent constituency visit to Taloyoak, I took the opportunity to spend some time at the high school.
Mr. Speaker, I hope that you and all of my colleagues will have the opportunity to visit the school.
When you enter the school, you will feel warmly welcomed and you will appreciate the effort that has been made to have the school reflect our culture and traditions.
Mr. Speaker, in January of this year over a dozen students participated in a project to construct traditional kayaks.
This project, which was taught in the Inuit language, provided an excellent opportunity for elders to share their traditional skills and knowledge with youth.
At the same time the students were able to share their work with a wider audience by using modern social media tools and the Internet, and I encourage members to visit Netsilik High School’s Facebook page.
A number of elders were consulted in this work, and I would like to thank and acknowledge Simon Oleekatalik, Iola Takolik, Sarah Takolik, Rhoda Nanook, Abraham Ukuqtunnuaq, Nauyaq Ugyuk, and David Nanook. I also wish to thank and acknowledge Netsilik High School Teacher George Hill for his hard work in making this project a success.
Member’s Statement 470 – 4(3): Recognition of Volunteer Firefighters (Keyootak)
I rise today to acknowledge a firefighter that was recognized and honoured.
Volunteer firefighters work long hours while keeping an eye on us.
One of my constituents from Qikiqtarjuaq, Billy Mikoalik, just had two recognitions.
He received a long service award from the Nunavut government for his 20 years of service and a Jubilee Medal for his 30 years of service as a fire chief.
Though firefighters don’t get paid, they do a lot of work. Every day they remind us through the radio and other media about hazards that may start fires that people should be aware of. We hear them daily on the radio, even though they don’t get paid to do their work.
We need to be really proud of those people. They do a lot of good work even though they don’t make any money and they give themselves to the service.
I want everyone to join me in congratulating Billy Mikoalik for his 30 years of service.
Member’s Statement 471 – 4(3): Traditional Inuit Customs (Shooyook)
Mr. Shooyook (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon, colleagues. Welcome to the visitors in the House.
I’ll talk about something that is very important to us: the Inuit way of counselling.
Mr. Speaker, today I’m going to talk about something that I never hear in the House, which is part of the issue I am really passionate about.
Back then Inuit were called “Eskimos” and that was what the outside world knew as Inuit.
One of the traditional practices no longer in practice today was used heavily back when Inuit were called “Eskimos.”
When we were called “Eskimos,” this included an identification disk. My own number was E5-883, pretty much similar to a polar bear tag. Today I see myself in that situation as a polar bear, as we had to wear that disk like a polar bear with a tag which identified each person.
Mr. Speaker, back in those days families were largely run by parents and elders. Any conflicts were resolved immediately and not allowed to fester. This applied irrespective of whether the person was an adult or if a couple had issues or if a person was causing problems.
It was dealt with by elders similar to today’s courts.
The immediate resolution of the problem resulted in better lives being led.
Further, all children were admonished never to talk back to an adult or anyone older than themselves, including their parents. This was one of the Inuit laws.
With this as a background, it showcases how our lives were less stressful.
I would like to ask for unanimous consent to conclude my statement. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I thank my colleagues for giving me an opportunity to conclude my statement.
This is an important issue that I often talk about, although I won’t talk as go-along, get-along elder so long as I’m a member of this house.
Back in the days when we were called “Eskimos,” children were brought up in this manner: whenever a subject was discussed that was considered unsuitable for the children to hear, the children would be sent out to play.
With the child gone, people would air their differences, make up, and settle the issues at hand.
Being a child was like this: if a child happens to hear discussion that is frightening, it would cause the child to have an unhappy adulthood because of the disturbing things they heard.
This demonstrates how wise our elders were, but it’s not the same today, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, we will need to take better care of our children in the future.
We must take a look at our ancestors’ traditions and starting using their best practices.
What we have heard and seen has caused a lot of pain we experience today.
I want to ask for your support to try to bring back what was good in the old days.
I miss the kind of lives we had when were called “Eskimos” and if we could bring back some aspects to our lives today, even if it doesn’t fix things right away, it will help healing in the long run.
That is my reason for talking about being an Eskimo, Mr. Speaker.
When I have the opportunity later on, I will relate how being called “Inuit” has had detrimental effects.
Member’s Statement 472 – 4(3): My Father’s Land – By Zacharias Kunuk (Quassa)
Hon. Paul Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish residents of my community a good day, as well as my fellow Inuit and colleagues.
I rise today to acknowledge this person who has received numerous awards and is recognizable to all Nunavummiut, as he is here in town, and I will provide a bit of a background.
Mr. Zacharias Kunuk is passing by on his way south.
As we all know, he is a respected filmmaker and he just recently released a new film.
I will state the title in English. (interpretation ends) My Father’s Land (interpretation) is the title and it is called the same in Inuktitut.
The film he produced speaks to today’s developments, as today we have mining companies that arrive into our ancestral lands and Inuit are involved in these projects, with consultation and environmental reviews of the potential impacts on our lives.
Now, this film voices the position of Inuit, as mining companies are exploring vast swathes of lands. Most of the lands up here were inhabited by our fathers and wherever Inuit were, the fathers spent time on the lands.
These companies are working on our fathers’ lands, including other types of companies.
It voices the concerns about this issue. If the film is like his previous offerings, it will be an intriguing film to watch.
The film will be aired in Ottawa starting on March 2. It is obvious that many here will want to watch that film as well, and I believe it lasts for about three hours.
The film is part of the reason why I wanted to add to recognizing Zacharias Kunuk as we know of his past work. These days the community of Igloolik is called the (interpretation ends) Hollywood of the North (interpretation) as it is a community producing many films.
I wanted to provide a brief background and when we reach the appropriate item, I will ensure that I acknowledge Zacharias Kunuk further.
Member’s Statement 473 – 4(3): RCMP Public Engagement in Kugluktuk (Taptuna)
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, the RCMP plays a vital and very important role in our communities. It can be stressful, dangerous, and also rewarding.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that last summer to see the RCMP in Kugluktuk being very proactive.
The RCMP in Kugluktuk was using different tactics to provide all-terrain vehicle safety. The local officers were giving out rewards to those who were well prepared.
Mr. Speaker, the RCMP officers were going out in search of drivers with protective gear, helmets, and other protective clothing when driving their ATVs.
They’re working with a number of retailers, including the local Co-op and Northern store to offer prizes each week.
Mr. Speaker, policing in any community or jurisdiction is tough, but to see the RCMP being proactive like this in Kugluktuk and hearing the very positive feedback from the community was very encouraging.
I want to take this opportunity to thank and congratulate our local RCMP officers in Kugluktuk for being proactive with ATV safety and showing a very positive side of community policing.
Member’s Statement 474 – 4(3): Arctic College Foundation Course Students (Angnakak)
As an MLA we are often called to attend events outside of the very important work that we do here at the Legislative Assembly.
Last year Minister Hickes and I had the pleasure of being invited to speak to the students of the college foundation course that’s delivered here at Nunavut Arctic College.
Mr. Speaker, with invitations such as this, it provides a great opportunity for MLAs to speak about the legislative process and what being an MLA is all about.
Today I have the pleasure in having the college foundation course come to our workplace to see us all in action. At the appropriate time I will be welcoming and introducing them in the House.
Member’s Statement 475 – 4(3): Respecting Our Elders (Okalik)
We meet with elders occasionally and they advise us, and I remember the advice that I got from an elder from Cape Dorset when there was an advisory committee.
The Speaker is supposed to be called “Uqaqtittiji,” the person who allows other people to speak.
That is how I have been calling the Speaker up to this time.
I’m always grateful for the elders who have advised us in the past, especially my late parents. They always spoke only in Inuktitut, but they always advised me and kept me going. To this day I try to follow the things that they asked me to do.
I’m very happy about them and I would like them to continue.
We get advice from elders when we are meeting in the House here and they see that we speak a lot of English. I encourage the other MLAs that can speak Inuktitut to use that language so that our elders can understand what we’re saying.
Let’s welcome our elders and follow their advice.
Member’s Statement 476 – 4(3): Recognizing Embassy of Imagination (Joanasie)
Mr. Joanasie (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker, or do I use the other term for the Speaker?
I am unsure which term I should use, but I use the term “uqaqti,” so I will just continue using that term, although I also understand the other one used for the Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and voice my congratulations related to the (interpretation ends) Embassy of Imagination (interpretation) that works in partnership with youth via printmaking and artwork in Cape Dorset.
For the past three years the group has invited youth to various southern locations to paint murals on sides of buildings to enhance the neighbourhoods.
Mr. Speaker, on February 19 near the end of last week, Tommy Quvianatuliak and Parr Josephie were invited to participate in the Embassy of Imagination project just outside of Toronto in Mississauga.
They were able to paint huge murals on several buildings and part of the work was shown. They also fundraised for future work on this project.
Mr. Speaker, I am very grateful for opportunities such as these, as our youth have been able to travel to various places and showcase their artwork, whether it is drawing, painting, or group murals. They work together to paint these murals and this includes the feelings of pride upon completing the work.
I wanted to express my gratitude to the (interpretation ends) Embassy of Imagination. (interpretation) I further expect that this summer there will be more projects to either show the artwork or to continue painting murals on the side of buildings.
If you happen to see a mural done by the Cape Dorset youth, let us share more encouraging words that allow them to continue.
Member’s Statement 477 – 4(3): Nunavut Black History Month (Hickes)
This being February 28, the last day of Black History Month, I wanted to take this time to thank the Nunavut Black History Society for all the different events that they held here in Iqaluit throughout the month of February.
I had the distinct pleasure of participating in a number of events that they put on, ending with a grand finale here at the cadet hall on Sunday of which I saw some of my colleagues there.
Mr. Speaker, they did a meld this year of Nunavut Inuit fashions from Rannva Designs in addition to a countless number of very colourful traditional wear from different African and Caribbean regions. Unfortunately I had to leave just before the food was served, but I’m sure as always, with all the previous events that I have attended there, it was exceptional.
I just want to really thank the Nunavut Black History Society for all the hard work that it takes to put in. They have been expanding the number of events that they have been having every year and I just want to congratulate them on a job well done.
Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m sure these people will get recognized as the day goes on, but I just wanted to bring attention to a couple of people that live in my constituency.
Jesse Flaherty lives just down the street from me and I see him walking around, going to work and going to school.
I have always spoken to him very encouragingly about continuing his academic studies.
I would like to welcome Jesse Flaherty to the Chamber.
In addition, one of the instructors, I believe, still lives in my riding. Nicole Journal, I really appreciate you coming into the Chamber today.
If I missed anyone, my apologies, Mr. Speaker.
I would like to take this opportunity to recognize an individual for whom his career is his whole life.
He has been recognized and that is David Monteith.
I would like to welcome you to the gallery and thank you.
Speaker: Welcome to the gallery. (interpretation) Members’ Statements.
I made a statement about him earlier, but I would like to recognize Saqqaliasi Kunuk.
His name is Zacharias Kunuk in English, but it is Saqqaliasi in Inuktitut.
I have known him for many years and I can recall we went caribou hunting when we were young. At that time we were stuck out on the land for seven days.
We were finally found when we were starving, and here we are today.
My friend is a filmmaker and I am sitting in the House as an MLA.
I would like to recognize Mr. Zacharias Kunuk.
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Member for Arviat and Whale Cove, Mr. George Kuksuk.
Hon. George Kuksuk (interpretation): Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. That was a funny story we just heard from my colleague.
Mr. Speaker, it is not very often I recognize people, but it’s always good to recognize our friends and the people we know. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize an individual.
I was once young with the person I would like to recognize.
She moved to Arviat when she was very young and we went to school together. I am very glad to see her today.
Please welcome Sarah Flynn to the gallery.
In my Minister’s Statement I acknowledged David Monteith’s retirement, but I would like to acknowledge him now, Mr. David Monteith, and his wife, Sylvia Renaude.
He will be retired and I’m pretty sure that his wife has a big to-do list that David can slowly work on and get rid of now because he will have more time to do that.
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker, I would also like to recognize Sarah Flynn, who used to live in Arviat.
Every time I see him, he seems to be getting taller all the time. His name is Michael Jewell.
Last year I think he was one of the Northern Youth Abroad students at that time.
He’s training to become an environmental technologist. Welcome to the House.
Also, although this next person is not my constituent, he is my nephew. I would like to recognize David Akoak, the younger one.
It’s not too often I get to recognize visitors to the gallery.
Fortunately today I get to recognize two individuals from Sanikiluaq who are here in Iqaluit attending Arctic College taking the Environmental Technology Program.
I would like to welcome Jonah Kittosuk and Mick Appaqaq to the gallery.
Again, it’s very rare that I have the opportunity to recognize any individual in the gallery.
I would like to recognize someone who is not my constituent, but he is my wife’s brother.
Attima Hadlari has helped us tremendously in our region and he has helped with the Arctic Winter Games for many years.
I would like to recognize him in the gallery.
I would also like to recognize an individual from my constituency.
Her name is Jenny Mosesie and she participates in sports representing Nunavut. She is an athlete who plays different sports and we’re very proud of her.
She’s a hard worker and is now one of the students who are taking the Environmental Technology Program.
Although this individual has already been recognized by my colleague across the way, the individual lives in my riding now and has lived there for many decades.
In fact he’s almost my next door neighbour. I would like to again welcome Attima Hadlari to the gallery.
Welcome, Attima.
Today I would first of all like to recognize Karen Nungaq from Kimmirut, who is taking courses here. The other person I would like to recognize is Letia Qiatsiuk, who is one of the instructors of the Interpreter/Translator Program.
The third individual I would like to recognize is a snowboarder from the highest community in Nunavut, Etuangat Akeeagok.
You can watch the videos that he has posted on the Internet.
I would like to recognize a person who was already recognized by the members from Arviat.
She was born in Naujaat, where she is originally from. I would like to welcome Sarah Flynn to the gallery.
Ms. Angnakak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is finally my turn.
I would like to take this opportunity to recognize once again the people who are here from Nunavut Arctic College. Please rise when I call your name.
Angela Nakasuk, Felix Nikki Pisco, Jesse Flaherty, Mandy Tatty, and their instructor, Nicole Journal, welcome to the gallery.
I am glad that you are here.
I would also like to recognize an individual who was already recognized, but Etuangat Akeeagok is my grandson. Welcome to the gallery.
I have no more names on my list. We will proceed with the orders of the day.
Question 621 – 4(3): Government of Nunavut Responses to Motions (Angnakak)
My first question is very simple: can the Premier confirm what direction he has given to his cabinet ministers regarding the importance of respecting motions that are formally approved by the Legislative Assembly?
Mr. Speaker, I have not given any kind of direction for the minister to look at.
On November 6, 2014 there was a motion made to review and do a comprehensive study on the models of a board of governance and the different types of models we could look at where it would fit the purposes of running the Qikiqtani General Hospital.
I don’t think I was referring specifically to that, but just formal motions in the House that have been passed since we were elected.
This one is a little bit more specific.
On November 5, 2015 the Legislative Assembly voted in favour of a formal motion that was moved by the Member for Iqaluit-Tasiluk and seconded by the Member of Arviat South.
The Member for Iqaluit-Tasiluk’s motion called on the government to produce a report on the activities of its Energy Secretariat. The government respected the will of the House and the report that the Member for Iqaluit-Tasiluk requested was tabled in the House on June 8, 2016.
Will the Premier ensure that the government shows the same respect in reference to the motion that was passed by the Legislative Assembly concerning the establishment of a board of management for the Qikiqtani General Hospital?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The Premier of Nunavut, the Hon. Peter Taptuna.
I designate the duties of the appropriate ministers for the appropriate motions that were made through the House. Again, when it came to the review of the different types of models of governing the Qikiqtani General Hospital in Iqaluit here, there was a motion put forth to table reports.
I encourage the member to work with the minister. If that’s going to be the case, there are different models with pros and cons to them and a report on the comprehensive study is available.
There is no real indication of why the member can’t speak with the minister and find out all the details of the investigation and the review.
As the member is well aware, the type of model selected by cabinet and the department is a first step forward.
As members all know, a board of governors for the hospital would entail divesting the financials, the staff, corporate files, and everything into the board of governors. We’re not in that position yet. We don’t have the capacity to do that, but the first step is an advisory board.
That’s the first initial step in finding out exactly what capabilities and capacities we can work with.