EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
But, they demonstrated a very important point.
Mr. Speaker, when I sat here following the session I noticed that an MMA, as a member of the mock assembly, raised a question about why there aren't bigger drug busts in the communities and why beer dances are allowed by the RCMP.
Mr. Speaker, the grade 7 students had two very important concerns and these concerns are ones that I as an elected member of the Legislative Assembly cannot ignore.
Drug abuse and alcohol abuse are issues in every community of Nunavut.
I agree there should be things done to deal with alcohol and drug problems in our communities.
To be successful in dealing with our drug and alcohol problems in our communities it will take all of us from grade 7 students to parents to RCMP members, and MLAs together.
Working together.
I want to thank the grade 7 member of the mock assembly for raising these important issues and demonstrating that it takes all members of the community to work together for solutions.
Member's Statement 235 - 1(5): Income Tax Forms
I believe it is our last day today.
At this time I would like to thank the people of Cambridge Bay and the member representing Cambridge Bay.
As you probably noticed we've got the municipal flags in the gym here and they are all represented by members sitting around the table.
The member representing Cambridge Bay worked tirelessly during the time that we are sitting here.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my concerns in my constituency regarding filing of income tax returns for people with disabilities.
Regarding the T-5007.
Mr. Speaker, a while ago the Minister of Health talked about the need for Federal documents to be translated into Inuktitut.
As with hospital documentation, I am echoing this concern in the statement now.
Mr. Speaker, the T-5007 is a form sent by the Department of Health & Social Services to people who receive income support.
This form often arrives late, approximately two or three weeks before the deadline for the return.
This form should be sent to the people in or around February or March so that they have sufficient time to have their income tax returns prepared.
Mr. Speaker, I would like unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
Proceed, Mr. Puqiqnak.
Mr. Puqiqnak (interpretation): Thank you, members.
Another concern is the disability tax credit form.
Mr. Speaker, many people with some type of disability have difficulty in filing income tax returns and getting the special forms that relate to their disability completed.
These forms are also very complicated.
Mr. Speaker, these forms must be verified by qualified persons to prove that the person has the disability that he or she claims.
In most communities in Nunavut there are no optometrists, audiologists, occupational therapists, psychologists or speech and language pathologists.
As a result Mr. Speaker, many of these people do not receive the credits that they deserve.
Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time I will be asking the Minister of Health and Social Services questions on this topic.
Member's Statement 236 – 1(5): Cambridge Bay Session – Gratitude for Assistance
Mr. Speaker, first of all I would like to thank the people of Cambridge Bay and the Member of the Legislative Assembly who is representing this community.
I join him in thanking the principal Dawn Wilson for giving us this space in the school.
We are also grateful to the people who made the food and ran the many events.
Also your staff Mr. Speaker, have worked tirelessly and also the interpreters, thank you very much.
Also behind the little blind over there, we see them now and then, the technicians.
Also thanks to all my staff Tom Best, Vicky Babinski, Ian Rose and Kathy Okpik.
I believe this session was very helpful as we got to see the Kitikmeot portion of Nunavut and Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask that we go to Pangnirtung for the next session.
That's for your consideration.
Speaker: Thank you, Minister. Members' Statements.
Member's Statement 237 – 1(5): Day Trips to Outlying Kitikmeot Communities
It is unfortunate that I was slow in raising my hand and Mr. Kilabuk beat me to making that statement.
I would also like to extend my gratitude to the people of Cambridge Bay and also for our accommodations provided by the Co-op.
Mr. Ng will have to apologize to me, I was supposed to go to the Ekati mine tour but he forgot to inform me.
I can forgive the member for that but I think it will be a while and I don't think we are in sync.
When we were coming from Kugluktuk and arriving here, he put us in a truck that was completely full.
So I haven't quite fully forgiven him yet for anything.
Our session here was extremely educational.
We met a lot of people that we never met before and while we were here we had many places to go fishing and to also see the Umingmak Follies that were held here during the session.
One thing that I didn't do was get a muskox, so I will have to come back here and billet myself in Mr. Ng's house and get myself my muskox.
I would also like to invite the members and for your consideration to consider Igloolik for the next session.
There are good hunting grounds, it is very culturally based, you can go to the floe edge and other such things.
It is beautiful country.
So I welcome you all and if you are going to consider going anywhere it would have to be between Pangnirtung and Igloolik.
I would also like to thank my family for being very patient, especially Linda and Marsha and my children.
I will be going home possibly on Monday and as Arvaluk said, boy am I homesick.
Member's Statement 238 – 1(5): Pauktutiit Amauti Copyright
Mr. Speaker, I would first like to thank a Member of the Legislative Assembly, Mr. Ng and the people of Cambridge Bay, I am very grateful for their hospitality.
However today Mr. Speaker, I will make this as brief as possible.
Pauktutiit had a meeting just recently and they spoke about our amautiks.
When they spoke about this it touched me personally because it is an integral part of the Inuit culture.
I was given an amautik from the Keewatin region.
The amautiik are not just slapped together.
There are rules that you have to follow when you are making them.
It is not just something that is put together.
There are strict rules that you have to follow while you are making your amautik.
During the Pauktutiit meeting, they are saying that they should copyright the design.
For example, they mass produce knives, cups and there are all types of ulus and Inukshuks that are made today.
One thing I would like to say today Mr. Speaker, is that the Inuit lived with custom law.
They were able to work together and complete everything following the rules and regulations.
These amautiks were made, as I said, you can not just slap them together.
Just the same as animals are not butchered just like that.
There are rules that you have to follow.
There are a lot of people out there who don't know these things anymore.
But, Mr. Speaker, since the creation of the Government of Nunavut we are now trying to get all these back and of course we’ll invite everyone, we invite all visitors to Nunavut.
But, I have to say the Inuit had their customary laws and that applied to our whole life style.
I would the people out there to understand that the Pauktutiit are going to be talking to Federal Government that they be protected from mass production or from being copied by people who don't know the customary laws.
Member's Statement 239 - 1(5): Building a Foundation for Youth
I apologize for my voice.
I would like to thank the people here for their hospitality and for providing the facilities for our meeting and also to the member representing Cambridge Bay.
I now have had the opportunity to have worked with him.
And I congratulate him for a smooth operation during this session in the Kitikmeot region.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to speak about what kind of foundation we are laying for our young people.
Our young people are growing in population.
What kind of future will we lay for them.
What kind of foundation should we lay and what kind of economic development will they have in their generation.
Yes, I speak to these issues at times but for the people and the communities if we don't work on the foundation of our youth we cannot resolve the problems.
It has to start at the grassroots level, at the community level.
Where the elders and the young people work together they can have lesser gaps between them.
It is very hard to know what kind of future you hold.
Many young people I am sure don't know what the future holds.
We have to be patient in order to have a good future.
In order to have a good future whether you are young or old.
You have to have very good patience in order to have good success in the future.
I know we will go through hardships and we will experience barriers but we have to overcome them in order to achieve and become successful.
When we look at the elders we think that maybe they never even went through hardship as young people do today.
But, I would like to tell the young people that is what we have experienced too.
We went through hardships and experienced problems.
After you overcome them you can become a successful person.
When we were in Rankin Inlet during the spring session it was enjoyable also, but this session has been very interesting.
However we have to use our common sense, because a travelling legislature is very expensive.
Many communities are requesting programs and services at their level.
They see the session as very expensive and here they are asking for more funding for programs and services.
So we have to use our logic and common sense and remember that there is also a housing crisis.
They see that they need funds for housing and for educational facilities.
So these are some of the problems that my communities are concerned about.
Member's Statement 240 – 1(5): Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit & Traditional Laws
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the Member for Cambridge Bay for his hard work and also the residents.
I would also like to say that the three regions, Kitikmeot, Baffin and Keewatin, ever since we became the Nunavut Government I have been travelling to other communities, in all the three regions.
It has effected my personal life because when I was campaigning I used the platform if Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit and I have seen that in the various communities that we have toured from the elders, the youth and the middle aged persons.
I would like to give them further support in their meetings when they are trying to deal with Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.
When you are given encouragement, you want to work even harder at something.
Our life as aboriginal people of Nunavut, we were losing our traditions and culture but now we want to strengthen them as we look at them closer.
It is evident today that we may have different legislation today than our traditional ways.
We are still not using our traditional laws fully to the extent that we should be because we are not used to the western statutes.
In spite of that we are still at the learning stage and starting to understand the fact that we were forgetting our cultural values and traditions.
Especially our language.
Yesterday it was very hard when I had to make my comments in the House and I wanted people to be aware as Chairperson I was giving the members a title before their names, Upinaqtuq, to show respect.
I used my own dialect, angajuqara meaning your superior.
I want people of Nunavut and Members of the Legislature to know about this too.
We are looking for managers and also we still haven't fully integrated the traditional knowledge and values and we need to integrate them further into the system in the future.
Residents of Nunavut, I am requesting your support.
Please do not hesitate to talk to me and converse with me so that I will have a clear idea and I can then represent my people.
I cannot work on my own but I need the support of all the residents of Nunavut to resolve some of the issues that are in front of us.
Member's Statement 241 – 1(5): Homeowners' Statement
I also would like to express my gratitude to the residents of Cambridge Bay for the great food that they have been providing us at their homes and they have been very receptive. So I would like to express my gratitude. I would also like to tell my stepfather, I found an individual in Cambridge Bay, a girl who was named after my mother here in the Kitikmeot region.
My family is grateful for that.
Also when the ministers make their statements, they are always interesting to hear, but in regards to the Housing Corporation's statement it was especially interesting.
Especially for the homeowners and that there will be more benefits for them.
It was very interesting to hear that and I would like to congratulate you on that.
But if we see more application forms and too much paperwork to qualify, it will be quite disappointing to see.
I am not too sure, there will be questions there, yes, no or maybe, on that application under the minister's statement.
Today is the last day of our session.
The standing committee has to travel to three communities right after this session.
Some members will be going to Iqaluit tomorrow, if the weather is good.
I will be going home and perhaps then I will see my grandchild on Monday evening.
Member's Statement 242 – 1(5): Gratitude to Cambridge Bay Residents & Hunting Rights
I almost thought you forgot me and you finally mentioned my name.
(interpretation ends) I would like to thank the Cambridge Bay people for their very warm hospitality while we were here.
Also I haven't thanked Kristi Aknavigak for that binder she provided me.
Also the elders here in the community for the feast yesterday, they invited me for their lunch and for the apartment that we lived in.
(interpretation) Also I would like to thank individuals from Cambridge Bay for taking us out on the land.
Also to my colleagues for eating the animal that I harvested.
I cannot tell you that I am a great hunter, but our creator gave me the animals and the right to harvest them.
I hear some people saying that person is a great hunter, and people talk about great hunters, but I can tell you that we each have talents that were given to us as gifts by our creator.
So I would like to thank the people for eating the food.
I still have caribou meat in my freezer if anybody is interested.
They are welcome to come and have some frozen caribou meat.
Also that rock that I brought from Sanikiluaq for the tent ring, I will be leaving it behind.
To my colleague, the Member for Cambridge Bay, I would like to thank him for providing us with snowmobiles and outdoor equipment.
Member's Statement 243 - 1(5): Cape Dorset Graduation Ceremonies
First of all, I'd like thank my wife for being patient while I was out on the road and I would like to thank her for being supportive.
Also, I would like to thank Mr. Ng, Member for Cambridge Bay for being available to us at all times and Bill Lyall for lending me his snowmobile. Also, Kia Nakashuk who gave me a gift and also my staff, Jane Cooper and Steve Hanna.
I rise today to speak about the students who will be graduating in my community on May 31, 2001.
The parents were in full support in getting their children to complete their education.
I would like thank the parents and also the teachers who taught the students.
I will mention their names and I would also like to thank them again and congratulate them for completing their education.
First of all, David Joanasie, Elisapee Qimikpee, Lucy Utuqi, Johnnyboo Ashevak, Mathew Jaw and Etidloi Toonoo.
So, these are the students that will be graduating their grade 12 this year on May 31st.
Also, on another topic, our pages from Gjoa Haven have been here for a week and I would like to thank them.
Irene Kayutinuaq, Sheila Tulurialik, Chuck Bissell Lyall, Meagan Lyall and Jacob Jayko.
So, we'd like to extend our gratitude and to the pages and also Mr. Puqiqnak for bringing the students here as pages.
And, last week our pages were from Cambridge Bay.
We would like to thank Roland Wilcox, Terry Niptanatiak, Lucy Kablumik, Maggie Aknavigak, Sarah Akoak, Ryan Kioganan, JJ Evalik, Trisha Ogina, Clarissa Kabluginak, John Paul Tologanak, Crystal Kamiulik and Jason Akugak.
These are the students that were pages last week and I would like to thank them again.
And also the first ones that I mentioned were from Taloyoak.
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Akesuk for acknowledging the pages that have served here for the last two weeks.
Member's Statement 244 - 1(5): Trip to Kugluktuk
First of all, I want to talk about our visit to Kugluktuk with the ministers.
I just want to let my riding know that although it was short notice, perhaps we will be in the community again sometime.
I want to thank my colleagues that went to Kugluktuk yesterday, many thanks to you all.
I wanted to mention their names.
Minister Thompson, Minister Picco, Minister Kilabuk, Minister Kattuk, Minister Anawak and Minister Akesuk.
I thank you all for coming to my community to visit.
Also my colleagues, Ovide Alakannuark thank you for coming.
To Rebekah Williams, I want to thank you for speaking about our language.
I also want to say thank you very much to the residents of Cambridge Bay.
It seems like this is my second home because I have many relatives, although I will be leaving for my own home tomorrow.
Thank you very much for allowing us to do our work with a lot of support around.
Member's Statement 245 – 1(5): Working Together
First of all I thank the MLA for Cambridge Bay, Kelvin Ng and the other MLA for the Kitikmeot Uriash Puqiqnak, David Alakannuark…
…I mean Ovide Alakannuark and Donald Havioyak.
A lot of the people of Cambridge Bay and the other Kitikmeot communities deserve a pat on the back for the efforts that they have made and the success that they have had in making this legislative session a successful one.
Qujannamiik, thank you very much.
(interpretation) We have really enjoyed our visit.
The hospitality was very good and during our discussions statements were made about the government disagreeing with each other.
We are working together and although sometimes it seems that we disagree, I think we are learning from each other.
When you look at the posters that are on the stage here in the gym, it talks about a brighter future and what we can do to make our lives better.
I think that as the Members of the Legislative Assembly, there is talk in the community but I think since the government was established here in our land, people started to go against each other.
But it was not our culture originally to go against each other.
I think it is just from what we had learned and it was brought into our communities and I think we learned quite fast as Inuit.
So I think we need to work closely together as a government, as Members of the Legislative Assembly.
We have to look back at how we used to work closely together and remember how hard we worked to set up our own government.
The people are looking at us and we are working to voice the Nunavut residents’ concerns.
I think we need to work together to do this.
We need to be strong and take the good things that we need, like how life was and good things from our culture.
When people start to disagree with each other or have disputes it is not a good feeling so I think we need to work at working together more closely together not just as members but as Nunavummiut and remember how hard we worked to make Nunavut a reality.
Member's Statement 246 - 1(5): NavCanada Radar Site in Iqaluit
Mr. Speaker, before I begin my Member's Statement , this is the last day and I would like to congratulate two individuals.
First of all, Mr. Speaker, a constituent and friend Ms. Pat Arnakak who was sworn in as Deputy Commissioner for Nunavut recently in Iqaluit while I was here.
So I would like to congratulate Pat on her appointment.
Also, Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate Mr. Alain Carriere's daughter Sarah who was recently chosen as a page for the House of Commons in Ottawa representing all of Nunavut as well as the valedictorian for her graduating class.
I should add Mr. Speaker, you know Sarah, this exceptional lady, speaks Inuktitut and fluent French as well as English.
She finished her last academic year in the south and will be coming home this summer.
I would like to congratulate Sarah and Pat.
Mr. Speaker, recently in Iqaluit we learned of a plan by NavCanada to install a new radar site in our community.
Now Mr. Speaker, little consultation had taken place and the prime location is identified by NavCanada as an area approximately 2.5 kilometres from the end of the Road to Nowhere, near the old sand pit there.
Mr. Speaker, the road to nowhere area as you know is quite heavily used by residents for berry picking, for barbequing, walking as well as camping.
It is very scenic and picturesque.
Mr. Speaker, no one is denying the issue of air safety or increased radar support for our domestic and now Mr. Speaker, for the transatlantic and international air flights in the Iqaluit area.
But, Mr. Speaker, many residents are concerned about the possible intrusion in this area by the radar site.
Mr. Speaker, I have spoken to the City of Iqaluit senior administration people as well as spoken to representatives of the HTA on this issue.
My understanding is that the HTA will endorse the preferred site of NavCanada if certain conditions are met.
But, many residents have still not endorsed that particular proposal or location.
Mr. Speaker, my research indicates that five possible sites have been identified by NavCanada.
I believe we have not have a chance to have a second look at some of these alternative sites before this final decision could be made.
Therefore Mr. Speaker, the next step is for the Iqaluit City Council to address the NavCanada proposal and the NavCanada chosen location.
I have been contacted by several constituents on this issue and I will be speaking to NavCanada, the Chairman as you know the CEO and President of NavCanada used to live in Iqaluit and used to be in charge of First Air and we know him quite well.
I will be speaking to the President of NavCanada and our mayor when I return to Iqaluit later this week.
Member's Statement 247 – 1(5): Government of Nunavut & NEU Negotiations
Mr. Speaker, before I get into my member's statement I would like to take this opportunity of our last sitting day here to thank a few individuals.
The first ones that I would like to thank are Bill and Kathy Gofton for taking me into their home while I was here, they were very nice and I appreciate the hospitality that they showed.
I would also like to give a special thanks to David and Annie Aklak, who is an old friend of mine from high school and thanks to him I was able to go out and go hunting and see this beautiful country that we have around here.
It was also an opportunity to see some old friends.
Friends like Larry Aknavigak, Harry Aknavigak, Helen Tologanak and old friends that I went to school with Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring another perspective on the issue of the recent negotiations between the Government of Nunavut and our employees in the Nunavut Employees' Union.
Yesterday we heard in this House some very strong comments concerning the conduct of the union over the past weeks and months leading up to the recent vote on the government's final offer.
Mr. Speaker, as members know, I also have strong views on the need for a relationship between the government and the union that is based on respect.
To be honest Mr. Speaker, I don't believe that the comments made yesterday in this House were helpful in moving forward.
Mr. Speaker, I don't agree with everything that was done on either side of the recent dispute and speculating about personal agendas is just as needlessly confrontational as other tactics.
Mr. Speaker, all of us as elected members felt the heat from our constituents on this issue.
Whether we are being petitioned to take a specific stance or through other means.
Mr. Speaker, earlier during the session I suggested that the way to go in the future for our jurisdiction would be to allow arbitration in the event that the bargaining process does not succeed.