EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
This curriculum is based on the principles of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit and introduces the issues relating to Inuit identity and social history, and also, Mr. Speaker, provides students with the tools to develop resilience and provide support to their peers.
Aulajaaqtut 10-11-12 satisfies a Humanities/Social Sciences requirement for university entrance, Mr. Speaker, in more than 25 post-secondary institutions across Canada.
This is strong evidence that the curriculum we developed here in Nunavut is transferable across the country, as well as academically and personally appropriate.
Mr. Speaker, all students entering grade 10 in 2010 will be required to successfully complete all three Aulajaaqtut courses in order to graduate. The Department of Education is working closely with our schools to ensure the successful delivery of this material.
This curriculum will be taught by Inuit and long-term northern educators in order to ensure a more comprehensive understanding.
Mr. Speaker, establishing Nunavut-appropriate curriculum as a graduation requirement is one step in our journey towards an education system based on the hopes of Nunavummiut and the goals laid out in Pinasuaqtavut.
Mr. Speaker, we are indebted to the late Elva Pigalak for providing the name for this area of curriculum and for her commitment to promoting wellness here at home in Nunavut.
This curriculum is dedicated to her memory.
Minister’s Statement 216 – 2(4): Women and Elections Forum in Iqaluit (Brown)
As Minister responsible for the Status of Women, I would like to update the Assembly of our successful first Women and Elections Forum in Iqaluit.
The forum was a joint initiative between the GN’s Women’s Secretariat and the Qulliit Nunavut Status of Women Council, and was held in Iqaluit on June 19 and 20.
The forum included guest speakers, a presentation by Elections Nunavut, panel discussions, and a mock elections training.
Mr. Speaker, the forum was very well attended, with around 30 to 40 women attending throughout the two days.
The mock elections training also received much positive feedback.
I am very pleased to share that several participants indicated after the forum that they felt much more comfortable with the elections process and would consider running for our upcoming territorial elections.
Mr. Speaker, the purpose of the forum, which was considered a pilot project, was to encourage women to participate more fully in elections in Nunavut.
A report on the forum is being produced, together with other materials, which will be distributed to women’s groups across the territory.
Mr. Speaker, the forum is part of a broader Women and Leadership initiative which was introduced by my colleague, Leona Aglukkaq. I would like to take this opportunity to thank her for all the good work she has done with regards to this programming.
Plans for our Women’s Leadership Conference in the fall of next year continue to take shape and we are looking at an exciting possibility for a partnership with Status of Women Canada and Nunavut organizations on this.
I look forward to seeing this important programming proceed as we continue to address women’s equality in Nunavut.
Member’s Statement 525 – 2(4): Successful Bowhead Hunt in Kugaaruk (Mapsalak)
I rise today to make a congratulatory announcement related to one of my constituency communities, Kugaaruk.
The community was chosen to have the very first bowhead whale hunt in the Kitikmeot region.
Although it was the first hunt, their success speaks to the ability of the hunters as well as their preparation. They took 33 minutes from commencing the hunt to harvesting a whale and I believe that is the quickest whale harvest in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, I especially wish to thank the people who were part of the planning committee. I wish to congratulate the chairperson, someone who is no stranger to this House, Mr. Ovide Alakannuark, and also the members of the planning group.
I would also like to congratulate Captain Charlie Imtajuk, who coordinated the event and due to his diligence, the hunters were able to harvest the whale almost immediately after commencing the hunt.
Further, Mr. Speaker, I am extremely gratified, after having a chance to speak to them personally, that the entire carcass has been processed. There was absolutely no wastage and all edible parts of the whale were preserved and processed.
Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the people involved in this successful harvest, a first in our region. I want to celebrate the successful event that transpired in Kugaaruk with my colleagues.
We congratulate the people of Kugaaruk.
Member’s Statement 526 – 2(4): Appreciation to Crew of First Air Flight 951 (Curley)
I rise today to express my appreciation to the quick actions of the crew of First Air Flight 951.
Mr. Speaker, First Air Flight 951 is a regularly scheduled flight that goes from Rankin Inlet to Iqaluit and on this leg of the flight on Friday, an incident occurred just as the plane was speeding up to takeoff speed. As the plane gained speed, rocketing down the runway trying to take off, a bird accidentally got sucked into one of the engines.
There is a whole number of various birds adjacent to the airstrip, especially geese that are all over that area, in the vicinity of the airstrip.
It is obvious that one of these birds strayed too close to the airstrip and almost caused a mishap.  Mr. Speaker, the reason why I rise today is to express my gratitude to the captain who had to handle this emergency as it was a sudden turn of events which were stressful.
Apparently, the pilot was very quick in his actions to stop the plane. According to some of the passengers, there were some hair-raising moments and they were getting quite concerned. However, the pilot was able to stop the plane on the airstrip and most importantly, none of the passengers were injured or hurt in this incident.
Mr. Speaker, this event caused enough damage to the engine as to cancel this specific flight.
They had to order a separate aircraft from Yellowknife, which continued the trip to Iqaluit some six hours later.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend the pilot and the crew of Flight 951 for their quick reactions and for successfully bringing the plane to a stop before running out of space at the end of the runway. I know that many of the passengers were a little rattled by this event, but none of them were hurt.
It is reassuring to know that the safety of our passengers are in such good hands and my wife, Sally, who happened to be a passenger, along with all of the other passengers were safe and sound and we, the flying public, wish to thank the pilots of First Air for their professionalism.
Member’s Statement 527 – 2(4): Update on the Meadowbank Gold Mine Project (Simailak)
Good day and good day to the residents of Baker Lake.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to update the House on the Meadowbank Gold Mine Project. As members are aware, significant progress has been made towards the opening of the Meadowbank Gold Mine near Baker Lake.
The mine is on track to starting production in 2010, less than two years from now.
Mr. Speaker, a number of events have taken place in Baker Lake over the past several months.
In June of this year, the community was pleased to welcome Premier Okalik, Economic Development Minister Netser and Kivalliq Inuit Association President Jose Kusugak for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open the new road to Meadowbank.
KIA President Kusugak noted the signing of a Water Compensation Agreement with Agnico-Eagle.
World-famous artist and Juno Award-winner Susan Aglukark performed at a community event to mark progress on the project.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I have spoken out on many occasions on the need to ensure that the community and residents of Baker Lake benefit fully from the Meadowbank project and other mining developments in our region.
I also believe that it is important for the community to be kept fully informed of how the project’s environmental impacts are being addressed.
Mr. Speaker, in June of this year, federal regulations were amended that concern the use of tailings impoundment areas in relation to both the Meadowbank project and the Doris North project up in the Kitikmeot.
Later today, at the appropriate time, I will be tabling documents concerning these regulatory changes for the review of all members.
Mr. Speaker, I do want to take a moment to highlight for the House a portion of the regulatory impact analysis statement that has been undertaken.
It states as follows: “At the consultation meetings on the environmental assessment, government agencies and local community members indicated their support for the Meadowbank Project and the use of Second Portage Lake as a Tailings Impoundment Area.”
Mr. Simailak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker and colleagues.
I would like to quote again. “The Kivalliq Inuit Association and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated stated that they would support the project if it is developed in an environmentally responsible manner.
These organizations participated throughout the environmental assessment process and submitted comments on all aspects of the project, including the use of the lake for tailings disposal.”
“A number of issues were identified in these comments.
In a presentation at the Final Hearing, the Kivalliq Inuit Association and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated stated that ‘all of the outstanding Final Environmental Impact Statement issues identified in the written submission, including water quality and water treatment, have been resolved sufficiently for the project to proceed to the regulatory phase.’”
Mr. Speaker, I encourage all parties to work together to ensure that the residents of my community are kept fully informed of important developments associated with the Meadowbank project. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Member’s Statement 528 – 2(4): Congratulations to Sanikiluaq Graduates (Kattuk)
I send my regards to the people of Sanikiluaq and my grandchild, who I will see soon.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about a graduation that took place recently in Sanikiluaq and I would like to announce the names of the graduates.
First of all, I would like to thank Premier Okalik, Mr. Picco, and Mr. Barnabas for attending the graduation in my community as I am very proud of their success.
The graduates are: Lucy Appaqaq, Lucy Kittosuk, Lucy Cookie, Silas Cookie, Davideepattie Qavvik, Ilaijja Sala, Annie Appaqaq, Joe Simon Arragutainaq, and Molly Anne Takatak.
I would like my colleagues to join me in congratulating these graduates.
Member’s Statement 529 – 2(4): Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s Apology to Canada’s Aboriginal People (Netser)
I rise today to congratulate the Prime Minister for offering an apology to aboriginal people who went to residential schools.
We wish to commend the Prime Minister for that apology as Inuit can now move forward.
The request for forgiveness is a big gesture for Inuit. Sometimes we can get tied down in our problems when we cannot forgive other people.
This request for forgiveness, Mr. Speaker, is a stepping stone for our people and I am grateful to our Prime Minister for his sincere gesture.
(interpretation ends) Over the years, Inuit have struggled to regain control over their lives caused by a clash of cultures, which has been very difficult to bear at times, but we have persisted and today, I like where we are.
We are progressing, but we are not where we want to be. Not only are we living in a great country and resource-rich territory, but we are also living in a culturally rich society which we should be very proud of.
As a race, our destiny lies within each of us, but brought forward collectively, we can make sure that the path taken is in everyone’s best interest and leaves no room or need for apologies in the future.
Member’s Statement 530 – 2(4): Rotary Fall Fair (Tootoo)
I rise today to praise and promote a yearly community event that is being revitalized here in Iqaluit by the Iqaluit Rotary Club.
Mr. Speaker, the Rotary Fall Fair is a very fun event aimed at the children of our community. There are exciting games and prizes are guaranteed to be won.
Mr. Speaker, this year, the Rotary Club has invested in a number of exciting new booths. Many of the booths will be run by the Inuksuk High School graduates and the proceeds from some of the fair will be donated to this year’s high school graduating class.
Mr. Speaker, I am especially looking forward to the Balloon Splash event which will give our kids an opportunity to give one of the community’s school principals, you guessed it, a great big splash of water.
You may also see, Mr. Speaker, the participation of one or more of this community’s MLAs for a brief (hopefully a very brief) spell under the water-filled balloon.
Mr. Speaker, I know myself and my two colleagues from Iqaluit were invited by Mr. Levy to participate.
I just want to let Mr. Levy know that I’ll be there and I hope to see my colleagues there as well.
Mr. Speaker, this event is all in fun but it also emphasizes the value of community volunteerism. Its objectives are not only to provide an afternoon of active entertainment for the community’s children but also to raise money and contribute to worthy school causes.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to come and join in the fun, participate in a worthwhile cause and be part of an excellent volunteer-run community event.
This event will be held at the Arctic Winter Games arena this Saturday from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Member’s Statement 531 – 2(4): Passing of Allyn Burrill on September 12, 2008 (Brown)
I would like to send my regards to the people of Rankin Inlet and Whale Cove, and say “hello” to my grandchild, Inukpaujak, (interpretation ends) Inuk Power.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember Al Burrill, a long time Rankin Inlet resident and Airport Maintainer, who passed away suddenly on Friday, September 12. Al Burrill and his wife, Diane, along with their children, moved to Rankin Inlet in 1994.
Al assumed the position of airport maintainer.
Al worked very hard on the airside operations, training local staff, and making vast improvements to the entire airport operations.
Al could be seen at all hours at the airport, even four and five o’clock in the morning, ensuring that the runway was clean and bare for all of the air traffic that occurs there.
Al was well known throughout airline industry as a friendly and helpful person to all. The community and the airport staff will miss Al very much.
I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to Diane and the family, and I know the people of Rankin Inlet will support her as they always do during these difficult times.
Members’ Statements. (interpretation) Member for Cambridge Bay, Mr. Peterson.
Member’s Statement 532 – 2(4): 2008 Federal Election (Peterson)
I would like to say “hello” to the people of Cambridge Bay, the riding which also includes the two communities of Umingmaktok and Bathurst Inlet.
Mr. Speaker, I rose in this House on March 29, 2007, to offer some comments about a possible federal election that was finally called on September 7, 2008.
I am pleased to rise again today during the second week of the campaign and provide some additional thoughts and observations.
Mr. Speaker, I wish all of our Nunavut candidates, regardless of their partisan affiliation, a good campaign.
I encourage all candidates to visit as many communities in our vast territory as possible.
In the Kitikmeot, we are looking forward to their visiting us to discuss how they can help us in Ottawa.
Mr. Speaker, it is no secret that when most people in Ottawa think about Nunavut, they are rightly or wrongly really thinking about Iqaluit, our capital city.
When federal politicians or officials visit Nunavut, they generally only come to the Baffin.
It is, indeed, a rare sighting in Cambridge Bay when an Ottawa minister or senior deputy minister visits us.
We hope that this will change after this election.
In fact, in the Kitikmeot, we continue to advocate for a permanent, large-scale Indian and Northern Affairs Canada presence in our region.
Mr. Speaker, the Kitikmeot has many important issues that the federal candidates should be thinking about when they come to visit us.
The persistent and critical housing shortage is hurting our families. It is unacceptable that parents with young children must move house-to-house on a daily or weekly basis looking for shelter in already overcrowded homes.
An Hon. Member: Agreed.
Mr. Peterson: Mr. Speaker, poverty is a huge issue in Nunavut and as many as half our residents are poverty stricken. The situation is only getting worse as it becomes increasingly more expensive to live in Nunavut.
The federal and territorial government must work together to address the issue and help our residents. A further increase in the Northern Residents Deduction would help many Nunavummiut.
It is not fair to use the cost-of-living figures for Yellowknife or Whitehorse to represent the cost of living in Cambridge Bay.
I understand that the federal government has recently launched a review of the Food Mail Program. Improvements in the Food Mail Program must ensure that savings are passed on to the consumer.
Mr. Speaker, the federal candidates need to discuss how to increase funding levels to programs that help women’s groups and improve literacy in Nunavut.
We have considered these important issues in our Assembly on many occasions.
A serious commitment to reducing federal red tape would allow us to attract investment capital to Nunavut.
Ongoing efforts to enhance Canadian sovereignty in the Arctic must also take into account the needs and priorities of those of us who live in the region.
Mr. Speaker, we have a $600 million municipal infrastructure deficit in Nunavut. Our candidates should explain to us how their parties will commit to help Nunavut to deal with this huge burden so we can improve the quality and standard of living for Nunavummiut to levels that most Canadians already take for granted.
Mr. Speaker, these are only a handful of issues and concerns that Cambridge Bay and Nunavut will have for the candidates. Whoever we elect will be expected to work hard in Ottawa for all the people in Nunavut.
Member’s Statement 533 – 2(4): Annual Terry Fox Run (Okalik)
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I think we found a Green Party candidate in our Assembly.
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker, I’m kind of stiff today and I wish to relate a short story of what transpired this weekend. I partook in the Terry Fox Run as part of the fund-raising event for cancer patients. Terry Fox, as you know, had cancer and he inspired our country with his cross-Canada run to raise money for cancer research, but he got sick and passed away prior to his completion of the run.
I was inspired by this individual and I try to attend to events that I believe in.
However, yesterday while participating in the run, I was pushed hard and ended up getting tired when my running partner and I tried to overtake one another.
The person I was running with was 16 years old and we exchanged positions back and forth, with one person taking the lead for a short while and then the other would bounce back.
I found out later that this person was the nephew of one of my colleagues, Mr. James Arvaluk.
He barely beat me during this race and I was quite elated to know that this old body can still keep up with some of the younger runners.
As we were on the route back, quite a ways back, we happened to pass a runner who was still trying to reach the turning point. It happened to be Mr. Picco and I am sorry to say that we left him in the dust.
I didn’t get a chance to point that out to him, so I apologize that I was unable to spur him on.
However, there weren’t a lot of people who participated in this year’s event and I hope that we can attract more people since cancer is an insidious disease that can affect anyone and everyone. We have to do our part to stop the spread of cancer in the future, especially here in Nunavut.
So I wish to end by thanking the event organizers and I look forward to running with more people at future events.
Member’s Statement 534 – 2(4): Terry Fox Program (Picco)
I think that I should give some real truth to what occurred yesterday...
... or on Sunday, with the Terry Fox Run and as the Premier has indicated, Mr. Speaker, the Annual Terry Fox Run was held yesterday.
Mr. Speaker, this is an annual event, as the members know, and indeed, Mr. Speaker, it has now become an international activity with Terry Fox Runs being held across the world and indeed across all of our communities here in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, members may not remember or may not know that Terry Fox’s parents, Rolly and Betty Fox, had an opportunity, on a couple of occasions, to come here to Iqaluit and indeed to Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, I can say without fear of contradiction that Mr. Rolly Fox and Terry’s mother, Betty Fox, were always so impressed with the work that was being carried out by the Terry Fox Program at the high school with Mr. Nick Newberry and indeed by the volunteers here in Iqaluit and Nunavut with supporting Terry’s dream.
Mr. Speaker, as a footnote to this, when Terry Fox first started his run, I was working at the waterfront in St. John’s and at that time, Mr. Speaker, as even today, people like to go to Newfoundland and run, bike, and wheel barrel across the country and so on. When Mr. Fox came with his run, I was on the wharf in St. John’s and went to see what the activity and commotion was, and I thought, “Here’s another goofball trying to run across the country.”
It was a rainy, wet, foggy day and many people including myself thought that this guy wouldn’t get very far.
Indeed, Mr. Speaker, many of us in the House here will remember that when Mr. Fox started his run, he wasn’t given much publicity or news, but as he started to get across the Maritimes and when he got across Quebec, and then he got into Ontario, he became nationally recognized and known. I had an opportunity to speak to Betty Fox and Rolly Fox and indeed go out on machines with them here in town.
I told them the story of how I, among other people, didn’t see anything really occurring from this.
Mr. Speaker, I can say without fear of contradiction again that I have been able to participate in every Terry Fox Run here in Iqaluit since at least 1992 and Mr. Speaker, it was disappointing, as the Premier indicated, to see a turnout of between 14 and 16 people for our Annual Terry Fox Run here in Iqaluit.
I remember walking and people running in this race where there would be 100, 150, 200 people take part and I understand, Mr. Speaker, that...
Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to ask for unanimous consent to continue my statement.
And I understand that in our community of Iqaluit now, it is quite large and we do have a lot of competing events.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the member, Mr. Okalik, and I want to say that not only did he walk but he actually ran the race, Mr. Speaker, and it is true.
I was bringing up the rear and I was making sure that there were no stragglers and helping them along, as Ed. Picco usually tries to do.
Mr. Speaker, Mr. Okalik blew past me, like a rabbit, like an Ukaliq.
The sweat was pouring off his face and I thought for a while, it was because he had a Montreal Canadien’s hat on, then I realized he wasn’t actually faking it, he was really just going.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the many volunteers and indeed the people that did participate in the walk. I also want to send a big “thank you” to a person who’s been there every time in the walk, she works upstairs, she is known to all the members, she is our Librarian for the Legislative Assembly, Yvonne Earle, who was also in the walk, and again, I have seen Yvonne many times participating.
Hopefully, next year, as Mr. Okalik said, we will see more people out at the Annual Terry Fox Run here in Iqaluit. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
If there are none, (interpretation ends) Item 4.