EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
A long time ago, it used to be difficult living in a harsh world.
We live in a modern world today and we’re able to help each other, and I am very grateful for that.
Even through hardships, we are guided.
We must not forget the hardships we went though and for the leaders here today to be able to guide us.
There are more Inuit than non-Inuit here with the members of the legislature and we would like to be able to have your assistance. We will be using that wisdom throughout the years.
The population is growing and I know that this is starting to affect the communities. I am happy that you are able to help us care for ourselves.
We will be using your guidance as you lead us throughout our lives and for the years to come.
As long as the world goes around, we have to help each other and to be strong, to try to be healthy, and to look into the future for improving conditions for ourselves.
We will use prayers for you to help us.
We will be able to have our grandchildren help us through in the future. Even though there is unhappiness now, there will be more joy in the future.
I am grateful that you will be able to help us help the people of Nunavut.
The Qulliq represents our ancestors that used the Qulliq to survive.
It was very important to cook food and keep us warm in our igloos; it was used by our people in the summer as well.
We are here today because our ancestors worked very hard to survive.
It makes one wonder how they did it when they were starving but now, we can receive support from the government and we have to be thankful for that.
I am grateful that I am able to light the Qulliq for the Members of the Legislative Assembly today.
Those are the songs we used to sing to heal ourselves as people.
Even before the healing centres came, those were the types of things that we used to sing to keep ourselves healthy.
I was taught some of them by my grandmother but I have forgotten some of them. I am so happy that I was able to have a grandmother.
I would like to ask the Aqsarniit School Choir, who are seated in front of us, to stand and sing O Canada for us.
>>School choir singing O Canada.
Speaker (interpretation): I would now like to call on the Joamie School Drummers, led by David Serkoak.
The drummers will be accompanied today by Winnie Owingayak and Jeanie Simailak of Baker Lake.
>>Drum dancing and singing
Elders, Honourable Members, distinguished guests and visitors, welcome.
I would like to begin by thanking the Member for Iqaluit Centre for nominating me for the position of Speaker.
I would also like to express my appreciation to all members for expressing their trust and confidence that you have placed in me.
As your Speaker, it is my responsibility to serve this House in the spirit of fairness and impartiality.
All Members of this Legislative Assembly have been entrusted with great responsibilities by their constituents.
As your Speaker, I will continue to ensure that the rights and privileges of individual members and the Assembly as a whole are upheld.
When we come together, we do so in the spirit of consensus, cooperation and commitment to the common good on behalf of our communities and constituents.
The oaths, which we swore yesterday as a group, commit us to upholding the highest standards of public service.
I look forward to working with all of my colleagues in the coming months and years to come in building our territory.
I would also like to take a moment to express my personal gratitude to my family and my constituents in Pond Inlet for their support over the past five years.
I will now proceed to the Orders of the Day and ask the Clerk to determine whether the Commissioner of Nunavut is prepared to enter the Chambers to deliver the opening address.
Opening Address of the Commissioner of Nunavut
Mr. Irniq (Commissioner of Nunavut)(interpretation): Please be seated.
Mr. Speaker, Premier Okalik, Members of the Legislative Assembly, elders.
I am pleased to welcome you to the First Session of the Second Legislative Assembly of Nunavut.
I would also like to welcome members of the public with us today in the Gallery and those watching on television and listening on the radio.
The interest you take in your government shows the importance you place on the democratic process.
I would like to extend my congratulations to Premier Okalik, who now has the distinction of being the first leader of a territorial government to have been re-elected to the most senior post in government.
Let me also congratulate you, Mr. Nutarak, on your election as Speaker.
Members of this House have selected well and have bestowed upon you the responsibility of ensuring that the rights and privileges of all members are upheld, to ensure freedom of speech in debate as each of us carries out our duties.
You are charged with ensuring the procedures of this House are followed so democracy prevails.
This is in keeping with the long established democratic practices of Inuit culture and reflects the values of all Nunavummiut.
I wish you the best as you exercise your mandate over the life of this Assembly and have every confidence you will be successful.
Nunavut continues to face challenges, yet we are also on the cusp of an exciting new era of economic growth.
From the public pronouncements that have already been made, it is clear that this second government will focus on building economic prosperity and greater self-reliance.
This new Assembly also faces the exciting and daunting task of ensuring that our future growth incorporates the values of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit so that Nunavummiut can see their values reflected back to them in the Nunavut that you are committed to building.
Each of you, as Members of this Second Legislative Assembly, bring to this House the hopes and wishes of your constituents and all people of Nunavut.
Each of you has the responsibility of representing your constituents and of ensuring that the government serves all those who live in this great territory.
Nunavummiut expect and deserve your best efforts in directing the affairs of the territory and I am sure you are up to the challenge.
The Members of this House will face many challenges during the next five years.
I extend my best wishes to the Premier, Cabinet and all MLAs.
I am confident that you will serve the people of Nunavut to the best of your ability and will make a positive difference in the daily lives of Nunavummiut.
I wish you all well in your deliberations and decision-making.
Mr. Speaker, before declaring this First Session of the Second Legislative
Assembly open, I would like to invite all members and visitors in the Gallery to a reception in the foyer when the House adjourns and to invite all to return to the Chamber for the swearing-in of the Executive Council at 4:00 p.m.
As Commissioner of Nunavut, I now declare open the First Session of the Second Legislative Assembly of Nunavut.
There are no Ministers’ Statements as we have not sworn in our ministers yet.
Member’s Statement 001 – 2(1): Gratitude to Constituents and Voters (Tootoo)
On this first day of the first sitting of the Second Assembly, I am very pleased to be able to rise and begin my statement by congratulating you on your selection as the Speaker for this Assembly.
I would also like to offer my congratulations to the Premier and his Ministers and the Members of the Executive Council.
I am very humbled and honoured at the trust placed in me by my constituents who have re-elected me as their Member of the Legislative Assembly.
I look forward to working with all of my colleagues in this House over the next few years.
I thank my family for standing by me and the generations before me, like my grandmother is here in the Gallery today, and the generations that will follow me, my daughter that was singing in the choir today. Their support means everything to me.
I would also like to thank all the people that contributed and their efforts for my re-election campaign.
A special thanks to Kathy Smith, Marilyn Scott, Mary Wilman, Hughie McClellan, Gary Pon, Phil Clark and my uncle, William Tootoo.
Time constraints prevent me from naming everyone, but you all know who you are and I thank you all very much again.
Stepping forward to run in an election such as this one takes a lot of courage and I would also like to acknowledge the people that ran against me; Mary Ellen Thomas, Natsiq Alainga-Kango, Kevin McCormack, Pauloosie Paniloo and Mike Courtney.
I greatly respect the efforts that were made and many issues that were raised. Their contributions are the important part of this democratic process.
Mr. Speaker, during my campaign, I spoke out about the need of our economy to support healthy infrastructures, I spoke about the need for quality education, accessible health services, affordable housing, and sufficient recreation facilities across Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, I spoke out about an importance of our youth opportunities to feel positive about life.
Recreation and sports programs can provide many benefits not only to youth but to their communities as a whole.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.  Speaker (interpretation): The member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement.
Mr. Speaker, I would to take this opportunity to welcome back those constituents of mine as well as all the other Nunavummiut who recently took part in the Arctic Winter Games in Fort McMurray, Alberta.
Congratulations to all the athletes and coaches for a job well done and for also bringing home the Hodgson Trophy again.
Mr. Speaker, I’m committed to be a strong and progressive voice in Legislative Assembly.
I look forward to representing my constituency by working with my fellow Iqaluit MLAs, the city council and mayor for the benefit of our community.
I also look forward to working in the best interest of all Nunavummiut during the many challenges that lie ahead. Critical decisions will be faced in our government and hard decisions will need to be made.
I will continue to advocate for the principles of transparency and accountability to ensure that the people of Nunavut hear and understands what their government is doing for them in their name.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage Cabinet to work together as a team and to work hard to maintain on the ongoing support of regular members.
I encourage all my colleagues to bring forward their ideas and contribute fully to the success of our consensus government.
Mr. Speaker, the Second Assembly has hard work ahead of us and I am looking forward to being part of that effort.
Member’s Statement 002 – 2(1): Challenges Ahead for Second Assembly (Kattuk)
I rise today to thank my constituents and also to congratulate you on your election as Speaker, as well as the Premier and the Cabinet Members and all the returning Members of the Legislative Assembly.
I’m very pleased to have been re-elected and I would like to thank my constituents of Hudson Bay for re-electing me.
Mr. Speaker, I look forward to serving in this House for the next four years with the knowledge that I have gained.
Mr. Speaker, for example, there are many issues that we face in our communities.
Before I speak about those, I would also like to express my gratitude to my wife and family for their support.
We have many challenges ahead, for example, there are major environmental concerns that we face in the north.
It is up to our government to seriously debate on the issue of environmental contaminants.
Transportation is also a major concern to the people of Nunavut.
For me, coming from Sanikiluaq, it’s a lot cheaper to take the southern route when you are coming into Nunavut. That’s just an example of the high cost of living.
Mr. Speaker, we talked a lot about Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit in the previous government.
Mr. Kattuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker and colleagues.
Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned earlier, Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit was mentioned on many occasions in the previous government.
The Nunavut government should make a plan so that Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit is integrated into government.
Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to have been re-elected and I will not be concerned anymore about bad gas.
Mr. Peterson.
Member’s Statement 003 – 2(1): Infrastructure Needs in Nunavut (Peterson)
Mr. Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you on your election of Speaker of this House.
I would also like to congratulate those of my colleagues who have been chosen to form the Executive Council.
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to thank all of my constituents in Cambridge Bay, Umingmaktok, and Bathurst Inlet for putting their trust in me.
I will represent them to the best of my ability.
I will make myself available to them to listen to their concerns, issues and priorities.
Mr. Speaker, all Members of this House know how tiring it is to run an election campaign in the middle of winter.
I would like to thank my wife and children, as well as the rest of my family who stood behind and encouraged me throughout the process.
I would also like to congratulate the three people that ran against me.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to outline some of the issues that I will be focussing on in the coming years.
Mr. Speaker, as members know, Nunavut was recently ranked third in the world for diamond production.
It is a disgrace that Nunavummiut do not receive the full benefit of this production.
Mr. Speaker, exploration has been ongoing throughout Nunavut.
A new gold and diamond mine are expected to begin operations in the Kitikmeot in the near future. Mr. Speaker, work continues on the Bathurst Inlet Road and Port; that is the key to unlocking the mineral wealth of Nunavut.
I believe that Nunavut will benefit greatly from the devolution agreement with the federal government that would put control of our natural resources in our hands.
As a result, the territory will be less reliant on the federal government for revenues.
Mr. Speaker, as the Mayor of Cambridge Bay and President of the Nunavut Association of Municipalities, I saw firsthand the deteriorating state of infrastructure in our communities.
We estimated that the infrastructure deficit the municipalities face is almost $350 million in 2003.
Increasingly stringent federal environmental and health regulations will require upgrades across the board.
Mr. Speaker, I look forward to ensuring that the government is sensitive to the priorities of the hamlets, to balance the needs that meet federal regulations with equally important goals of building community halls, gathering places, or recreational facilities.
I believe that these facilities, in combination with additional housing, will form the keys to building healthy communities. They are instrumental to combating social problems in the issue of suicide, and ensuring that our young people grow up in healthy communities and given an opportunity to develop their skills.
Speaker (interpretation): The member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement.
Mr. Peterson: Mr. Speaker, finally, I am very pleased to announce that Cambridge Bay will play host to the 2004 Nunavut Youth Olympic Academy next weekend from March 19 to 24.
Olympic Speed Skater Kristina Grove will also be putting out a speed skating session.
More than 40 athletes from across Nunavut will attend the academy.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to finish today by recognizing all the athletes, coaches and volunteers who recently returned from the Arctic Winter Games in Fort McMurray.
I would like to recognize the efforts of Ruth Niptanatiak-Wilcox who was Nunavut’s Chef de Mission, Peggy Tologanak, who worked as a chaperone, and Attima Hadlari, one of the officials.
And of course, Mr. Speaker, no games would be complete without the athletes.
The following athletes from Cambridge Bay participated in the Games: A.J. Aknavigak, Melissa Aknavigak, Catherine Anayoak, Jerilyn Kaniak, Mitchell McCallum, and my niece, Tanis Peterson.
I would like to ask for my colleagues to join me in congratulating these young people and their supporters.
Mr. Tapardjuk.
Member’s Statement 004 – 2(1): Gratitude to Constituents, Voters and Leadership of Nunavut (Tapardjuk)
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): First of all, I would like to congratulate you on your election as Speaker.
This is my very first time being in a place like this. I am sure that I have many things to learn and I am confident that I will have the support of my colleagues here.
First of all, I would like to thank my wife and the child that you are here. Alaralak and also Ukaliannuk are here as well and they have helped me out a lot and also the people in Igloolik, so I would like to thank them.
I would also like to thank John Illupalik. In 1999, he urged me to run for this legislature and thus I accepted to run for the Legislative Assembly.
Elijah Ivaluarjuk, the Mayor of Igloolik, and Gerry Kumaq, Johnny Issigaitok, Leo Attaguttaluk and also the candidates that ran, Salomon Allurut, Enoki Irqittuq, Paul Haulli, and Levi Qaunnaq.
They also ran hoping to represent their constituency.
As we all know, this is not the way that Inuit used to do this, but it is the process that we use now so that we can help our people and our communities.
I would also like to extend my appreciation to Tagak Curley.
Tagak Curley started with ITC. We start thinking about our land claims so that we can run our own affairs such as having a government like this. This was a dream that Tagak had and I would like to thank him very much for that.
At this time, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
Speaker (interpretation): I think that you are learning already.
Member Louis Tapardjuk would like unanimous consent to conclude his statement.
Please proceed, Mr. Tapardjuk.
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): Yes, hopefully I will learn.
And also Paul Okalik, he was a member of land claims negotiating team over 20 years ago. He was a youth at that time and I pushed him to try to further his education and now he is a lawyer.
Everybody has the ability to learn. Let us not think, as Inuit, that we don’t have the ability because we do and the Premier is a good example.
As soon as I heard I was elected, I thought about my late mother and she was the only one that came to mind. I had a very difficult time during my childhood.
I thought about my stepfather, Alaralak, who is not my blood father but he was very supportive of me.
Pacome Qulaut has taught me many things when I was growing up, as well as Mark Ivaluarjuk, who has taught many of us how to sit in the Legislative Assembly like this. I also thought about Francois Quassa, my father-in-law. He also has supported me with religion.
With these in mind, I look forward to the next four years to working with you.
Speaker (interpretation): Item 4.
I have Picco, Simailak, and Arreak.
Mr. Picco, you may proceed.
Member’s Statement 005 – 2(1): Family Support during Election (Picco)
Hon. Ed. Picco (interpretation): Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.
Please be good to me.
Mr. Speaker, first of all, I would like to say thank you to my wife Oopah and also Oopah’s relatives and my mother-in-law, Ningeorapik Arnakaq from Clyde River.
I would also like to thank the residents of Iqaluit, Happy Valley, Tundra Valley and Apex.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, to be successful at this job, you have to have strong support at home.
Over the past several weeks and the recent campaign and indeed, the past eight and a half years, my support, my rock, has been my best friend and confidant, my wife Oopah.
When I was down or stressed out, she helped pick me up and made me laugh. On top of the stress, Mr. Speaker, of the recent election campaign, my wife’s father died.
Oopah’s dad was 82 years old, Mr. Pauloosie Arnakaq.
He was an elder, he was my father-in-law, and he was a very good friend to me.
Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to thank the many people here in Iqaluit and Clyde River, who called, visited and supported our family during that very difficult time.
The Reverend Methusalah Kunuk and Oqi, Joe and Martha Tikivik, the Reverend Mike Gardener, Sammie Peter, Terry and Nick Newberry, Premier Paul Okalik, Brian Twerdin and our Mayor Elisapee Sheutiapik, who was here today, and many more people who called, visited and supported Oopah and our family, thank you very much.
Mr. Speaker, at the end of the recent leadership forum, Mr. Peterson said, “Ed., you get lots of notes,” and I told Mr. Peterson, “Keith, they are not really notes, they are from my son, Wally, who is a page here asking for lunch money.”
Mr. Speaker, Wally has enjoyed working with the staff and members over the past few days and is looking forward to going back to school tomorrow.
Mr. Simailak.
Member’s Statement 006 – 2(1): 2004 AWG Participants from Baker Lake (Simailak)
Hon. David Simailak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
First of all, I would like to thank the people of Baker Lake for putting me here to this House.
At this time, I would also like to let the people here know that there were many young people who attended the Arctic Winter Games in Fort McMurray.
(interpretation ends) I would like to recognize Lorraine Neigo, Aaron Parker, Francis Ajagaq, and Solomon Tulurialik, who represented Nunavut in hockey; Justine Killulark, Leanne McLean, and Vince Pattunguyak in basketball, and Kiah Hachey in indoor soccer.
These fine young women and men were excellent representatives for Baker Lake and for all of Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to recognize the efforts of two of my constituents, Frank Tootoo and Jeff Seeteenak, who were two of Team Nunavut’s mission staff at the games.
Their efforts for bringing an excellent group of youth to the games are appreciated and deserve the thanks and recognition of this Assembly.
Athletic skills learned at an early age go on to reap benefits throughout life.
I encourage all Nunavut to get active and stay active.
Mr. Curley.
Member’s Statement 007 – 2(1): Gratitude to Constituents and Family (Curley)
Mr. Curley (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I also would like to congratulate you on becoming Speaker elect.
I could not wait for the elections to be finished.
I would like to thank my constituents and I congratulate the Premier on his return, although we know our tasks before us will be challenging, we will be successful in working together.
I would also like to work with all the people of Nunavut because we face a difficult task ahead of us.
We have the harshest environment and weather and Nunavut is a remote location.
I would like say that even though you may possess more abilities than we do we can only work if we work in partnership.
I would also like to thank the people of Rankin Inlet North for electing me, especially for the young people encouraging me to run, even though I am a lot older than them.
The Inuit way of life is that you cannot just forget the elders.
You have to be able to support them and to visit them daily, and get to know them.
We should not be shy, we should speak with them and to try to learn from them, that is the Inuit way, you have to be able to visit them and phone them and talk to them everyday.
Behind me is Hamis Tatty, and grandparents that are here today with me, who was my Campaign Manager, I thank him very much; you may see him one day in the House.
I would like to thank the people of Rankin Inlet who encouraged me to run as an MLA.
You all heard that there were many people that were going to be candidates, but nobody stepped forward.
There are many people that would like to challenge me.
I would like to say that you have to be brave, and to be able to stand up for yourself.
I would also like to thank my wife and my son.
If it was not for her, I would not be here today.
Wherever I am, she is not worried about me, she is not going think that I am doing anything wrong, and I thank her for that.
Mr. Curley is asking for unanimous consent to conclude his statement.
Please proceed, Mr. Curley.
We have to be able to work together in Nunavut to have strength in numbers.
I am also happy that Levinia Brown was elected as well in Rankin Inlet South/Whale Cove and was happy to hear that there would be cooperation between us.
I would also like to thank all the young people, on behalf of all of the people in Nunavut.
They just competed against other territories in Fort McMurray and we wish them all the best in the next Arctic Winter Games.