EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Just yesterday, Heather Putulik joined students from across the county in a videoconference that provided youth with the opportunity to speak with Prime Minister Trudeau.
Ms. Putulik used this opportunity to ask the Prime Minister about the knowledge and the experience of the north and Inuit in Canada.
In his response, Trudeau mentioned his various visits to Nunavut and stated that Canada, the country, needs to do a better job of giving opportunities and support to the people who live in the north.
Mr. Speaker, I am glad to see that our newly elected Prime Minister has provided students with this opportunity.
I believe that it is important for every government to engage youth in the decisions, and I hope to see many more Nunavut youth involved in political decisions at the local, territorial, and federal level.
Ms. Putulik is currently at grade 6 at the Tusarvik School in Naujaat.
Mr. Speaker, you will recall that I rose in the House earlier during this sitting to acknowledge the staff and students from Tusarvik School for their participation in Embrace Life initiatives.
I look forward to hearing more about future achievements of students and staff from Tusarvik School, as I’m sure that there will be many.
Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in applauding Heather Putulik for demonstrating the importance of participating in politics at all ages.
Member’s Statement 107 – 4(3): Administration of Justice (Enook)
People of Pond Inlet, good afternoon, as well as our fellow Nunavummiut.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about the administration of justice in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, a longstanding concern in our territory has been the length of time that it takes for court matters to be resolved.
In its most recent annual report, the Nunavut Court of Justice indicates that efforts are being made to, and I quote, “reduce the growing backlog of cases involving citizens held in remand and to improve case processing times.”
Mr. Speaker, I fully understand and completely appreciate that court proceedings themselves are independent. However, our government has an important role to play in helping to improve the administration of justice.
For example, the court’s most recent annual report indicates that it has been working to expand the use of such tools as videoconferencing.
Mr. Speaker, although I applaud efforts to think outside of the box, this is another one of those issues where we seem to be caught in a Catch-22 situation.
As the House is well aware, I have also been raising concerns for many years about the need to improve telecommunications services in Pond Inlet and Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, in one of its recent submissions to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, the GN’s Department of Community and Government Services noted that the current state of telecommunications infrastructure in Nunavut poses significant hurdles and barriers to such technologies.
Mr. Speaker, I was inspired by yesterday’s appointment of Canada’s first ever aboriginal Attorney General.
It is my hope that we will see additional federal resources provided to help improve the administration of justice here in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, earlier this week, the minister tabled the most recent annual report of the Legal Services Board.
This report indicates that officials from the Government of Nunavut’s Department of Justice sit on the Nunavut Justice Efficiency Committee, which has the mandate to, and I quote, “examine systemic issues with a view to realizing efficiencies, maximizing value for dollars and ensuring the experience is the best possible for Nunavummiut navigating court processes.”
Mr. Speaker, I will be asking questions to the appropriate minister at the appropriate time on these issues.
Member’s Statement 108 – 4(3): Happy Anniversary to Airo and Mary Pameolik (Savikataaq)
The Premier and the Minister of Finance made statements about long-term service awards for government employees. I would like to make one that is sort of the same.
I would like to congratulate Airo and Mary Pameolik of Arviat, one of my constituency [communities], for celebrating their 42 years of marriage today.
They have been married longer than any one of these government employees that got awards today.
They will be celebrating their 42 years of marriage with their kids, their grandkids, and their great-grandkids.
I would like my colleagues to congratulate them on 42 years of marriage.
Member’s Statement 109 – 4(3): Recognizing Sanikiluaq’s Badminton Coach (Rumbolt)
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the accomplishments of Stephen Keoughan, a teacher in the community and also Sanikiluaq’s badminton coach, who has been selected to travel to Greenland as the coach of Nunavut’s Arctic Winter Games team.
Mr. Speaker, as you know, promoting sport in Nunavut’s more rural communities is always a challenge.  Stephen’s involvement in Sanikiluaq’s badminton program has helped the sport to grow and be successful.
Under his guidance, Sanikiluaq athletes have gone on to compete regionally, territorially, and nationally, including the 2015 Canada Games.
Mr. Speaker, Stephen has been coaching in the north for over 15 years. We are very fortunate to have him coaching our badminton team. I know that he will be working hard to prepare Nunavut’s badminton players for Arctic Winter Games success, and I wish them all the best.
Member’s Statement 110 – 4(3): Congratulations to Iqaluit’s New Council (Hickes)
It has been a week for swearing-in ceremonies.
I recognized yesterday the swearing-in of 25 new Canadian citizens.
Yesterday, I watched with probably most of Nunavut, the swearing-in of our own Hunter Tootoo, to the federal cabinet. I would like to take just a second to congratulate him.
Also, this past Monday, I had the privilege of attending another swearing-in ceremony here in Iqaluit, however briefly, as this House was sitting.
In conjunction with the recent federal election, the City of Iqaluit has elected a new city council. I would like to congratulate re-elected councillors Joanasie Akumalik, Simon Nattaq, Terry Dobbin, and Romeyn Stevenson.
Mr. Speaker, we also have five new councillors: Megan Pizzo-Lyall, Kuthula Matshazi, Jason Rochon, and Gideonie Joamie.
Mr. Speaker, I had frequent contact with some members of the former council and know that those lines of communication will continue to be open to address the needs and concerns that are brought forward to us by residents of Iqaluit, and I am positive that they will represent the people that entrusted them with this responsibility with their best efforts.
I would like to make special mention that Iqaluit has decided to vote for a different mayor but not a new mayor. Madeleine Redfern has also joined us here today and I will recognize Her Worship, along with the rest of the council that was able to make it here today at the appropriate time.
I also just wanted to take this moment to also thank outgoing City Councillors Noah Papatsie, Kenny Bell, Steven Mansell, and former Mayor Mary Wilman for their work over the last few years.
Member’s Statement 111 – 4(3): Happy 30th Anniversary to Wife, Annie (Akoak)
Good day to Gjoa Haven and all of Nunavut.
I proudly stand today to say “happy 30th anniversary” to my wife, Annie Akoak.
I am hoping she is watching right now. Although I am here, my heart is with you today and hopefully I will see you next week.
Member’s Statement 112 – 4(3): Archaeological Sites near Kugluktuk (Taptuna)
There are many archaeological and historic sites across Nunavut.  Near my hometown of Kugluktuk, there’s an impressive site that has had very little, if any, exploration work done at all.
Before politics, I spent considerable time hunting and trapping in and around Kugluktuk and Tree River areas.
Mr. Speaker, those trips could take many days because of bad weather, mechanical breakdowns, and as you know, Mr. Speaker, trapping is hard work and can be dangerous work, as we all know.
We would trap foxes, wolves, wolverines, almost any fur-bearer we could get, running trap lines that are 150 miles long and that’s a tremendous amount of travel and preparation.
Mr. Speaker, we learned about the land and we knew many sites and old camping and living sites that are out there throughout Nunavut.
That is why the archaeological site that I referred to earlier is so mysterious. I have spoken to several elders and long-time community residents about the site, yet there are very few details or even knowledge of it.
I have also spoken to an archaeologist about it and he was not aware of this site.
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker, when we go out on the land, we go on long trips by boats and sometimes with our machines.
The archaeological sites that we encounter are very mysterious because we have little information about them. (interpretation ends) This traditional knowledge needs to be passed on to our children.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage all hunters, trappers, harvesters, and all Nunavummiut to spend time on the land, to report these sites to the government so the appropriate department can inventory and record these important archaeological sites.
Member’s Statement 113 – 4(3): Happy Birthday to Son, Warren Kuksuk (Kuksuk)
Hon. George Kuksuk (interpretation): Thank you again, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon again, my fellow Nunavummiut.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, colleagues, (interpretation) and people from Arviat and Nunavut, (interpretation ends) I am proudly rising today for three reasons.
I would like to begin by giving my warmest and most heartfelt birthday wishes to my son, Warren Kuksuk, from Arviat. Happy birthday, Warren.
Warren, my first born, was born in 1974. When Warren was a young kid, he always wanted to be the leader of his pack, so to speak, and to have his own little gang. Since then to today, he has accomplished that, Mr. Speaker.
He is now a proud husband of Evelyn Kuksuk, formerly Evelyn Niego, (interpretation) Niego was her maiden name. (interpretation ends) And he is the father of Brad, Tristin, and Charlotte, affectionately known as bun-bun. Hi bun-bun.
Warren is now a business owner who runs a small, thriving business in Arviat.
Amazingly enough, exactly one year after Warren was born, his sister Priscilla came along. Priscilla, my oldest daughter, is the proud mother of Abrare and Collid, who are currently living in Bochum, Germany.
She currently works for the Department of Education as a relocation officer in Baker Lake.
Priscilla, in her fearlessness, has been known to drive 180 kilometres on the autobahn in Germany.
She is a world traveller, an independent and inspiring woman, and loving mother.
Mr. Speaker, I can’t tell you enough how doubly blessed I am today through my son Warren and my daughter Priscilla.
Finally, Mr. Speaker, I would like to send another warm birthday and best-of-luck wish to someone who we all know here in this House, my Executive Assistant, Seané d’Argencourt-Printup.
I didn’t hear any nays. Mr. Kuksuk, you may proceed.
Hon. George Kuksuk: Thank you, colleagues. (interpretation) Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.
(interpretation ends) I would like to send a warm birthday and best-of-luck wish to someone who we all know here in this House, my Executive Assistant, Seané d’Argencourt-Printup.
Seané first paged here as a high school student in the Legislative Assembly back in 2007.
She then proceeded to work summers here at the Legislative Assembly under Alex Baldwin in the Research, Policy and Library Services Division.
From what I have learned about her, all during her high school here in Iqaluit at Inuksuk High, Seané not only maintained top school grades, but also during her years of high school, she volunteered for the AIDS line and Kamatsiaqtut Suicide Prevention Helpline twice a week.
Her interest in Parliament came when she acted as Iqaluit Centre MLA during the Nunavut Youth Parliament in 2007.
She showed true commitment and dedication to her community of Iqaluit without fail and with true dedication at such a young age.
In fact, she won a Canadian Association of Principals and Lifetouch Canada sponsors of the CAP Student Leadership Award in 2008 for her volunteerism towards suicide prevention.
Mr. Speaker, in 2007, Seané was awarded for the Commissioner’s Award for youth achievement and accomplishment.
Through her first year at Carleton University in 2008, Seané became the first student from Nunavut to page in the House of Commons.
It was also the year she received the Gordon Robertson Scholarship at Carleton University to which she was accepted for a Bachelor of Arts Degree.
She has decided to resume her degree and will be leaving her office and Nunavut in the new year.
She will be greatly missed on her journey to attend her university education.
As we know, all of our Nunavut youth have to travel so far to attain their university diplomas.
It’s not easy for them or for us, but we know she will be back.
Please join me in wishing her the best of luck in her new endeavours.
Member’s Statement 114 – 4(3): Grateful for Son-in-law (Ugyuk)
I say “good day” to my fellow Netsilik residents.
We are continually checking the weather forecasts even though we aren’t in Netsilik, but our region is getting extremely cold weather again. Please ensure you dress warmly.
However, the traditions of Netsilingmiut and other Inuit are something I feel strongly about, especially kinships. The people in the Netsilik region have always used endearment terms for their relatives.
I would like to publicly voice my love for my son-in-law as I am grateful for his upbringing of our grandchildren, who are well looked after. I thank my son-in-law as he looks after his children and my daughter, and we tend to love our sons-in-law because it feels like we have adopted them even if their parents are living far away.
I feel like we share parenthood even though they live in Quebec.
I send good day wishes to my in-laws and send my love to my son-in-law. I appreciate you from the bottom of my heart.
As well to my beloved grandchildren, especially Pia Inuaraq whom I love dearly, and her Inuktitut endearment name is ainnuara, or beloved brother-in-law.
I wish them a very good day.
I also want to send my love to my aunt and her husband, who are celebrating their anniversary today.
Member’s Statement 115 – 4(3): Recognizing Two People from Constituency (Joanasie)
Good day to all of you, the people of Nunavut and all of the visitors in the gallery.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize two of my constituents.
I would first like to recognize my younger brother, Samajuali Joanasie, who is visiting us and studying second year carpentry. I would like to congratulate him.
I am very proud of him. He left his wife and children behind to attend school. I know that it’s very hard to leave your family behind, but I know that education will give you opportunities.
Also, I would like to congratulate Goota Jaw, who is taking a two-year diploma program in early childhood education here in Iqaluit.
She did extremely well in this program, so the Department of Family Services recognized her academic excellence by awarding a $750 scholarship. I would like to thank Nunavut Arctic College for providing the Early Childhood Education Program.
I would also like to extend my support to other Nunavummiut and to encourage them to remain in school and to attain higher levels of education.
I would like my colleagues to join me in congratulating and recognizing our youth. Let’s support them and always be proud of our young people.
Member’s Statement 116 – 4(3): Congratulations to Recipients of Long-term Service Awards (Angnakak)
I rise today to congratulate the 2015 recipients of the long-term service awards.
I know the ministers made some of their statements, but I want to also state how proud I am.
Yesterday evening, I had the pleasure of being invited to the long-term service awards ceremony, which provides the Government of Nunavut the opportunity to recognize these employees and their committed service within the government and to the people that they serve, Nunavummiut.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to offer my sincere congratulations. I know it’s not always easy staying so committed in what can sometimes be a very challenging work environment, but I know that the award represents and recognizes the efforts of its employees.
This effort has helped the Government of Nunavut maintain a more stable working environment, which in turn promotes a better workplace for everybody.
Mr. Speaker, Nunavut needs more people like these people in the House today who were recognized, the people who provide us with the delivery of programs and services, those who serve in policy and administration, and those who work those odd hours like in our hospitals or other places where we need to ensure people get the help they need no matter what time of day it is.
The employees recognized yesterday all have very important jobs, and I hope they are very proud of their achievement and of the government’s recognition of their efforts.
Mr. Speaker, for those who were presented with this award, I would encourage all of you to go to your supervisors and demand a raise.
Member’s Statement 117 – 4(3): Recognizing Olayuk Simeonie (Shooyook)
Good day to the people of Nunavut, Resolute Bay, and Grise Fiord, the visitors in the gallery, and my colleagues.
I would like to ask my colleagues to share in congratulating the person I am proud of. This person is an absolute source of pride to me and this sense of pride is fabulous.
Mr. Speaker, this person has worked at the Municipality of Arctic Bay as well as at the Nanisivik mine. I see him as a role model one can take pride in aspiring to be like. I congratulate Olayuk Simeonie on his retirement.
Mr. Speaker, he has never had any formal education at any level and his accomplishment in that light is something to be proud of. The reason why I take such pride in his accomplishment is that when he first started, the only clocks we had were the clocks you wound to run.
He would take it completely apart while his mother was outside and he would try to put it back together before his mother returned. By breaking down and putting the clock back together, he became mechanically inclined.
He is very capable and I can state unequivocally that I have never met another Inuk with that level of knowledge, at least there aren’t very many Inuit possessing that knowledge.
He was a heavy equipment mechanic at the hamlet garage and he also held that position in the Nanisivik mine.
Mr. Speaker, some Inuit who haven’t received a formal education are extremely capable.
This man has provided invaluable service to the people of Arctic Bay as well as in Nanisivik. Whenever the water truck or sewage truck broke down, he would look for parts at the dump to make his repairs on the trucks.
I didn’t hear any nays. Mr. Shooyook, please proceed.
As I stated earlier, he would go to the dump to look for parts, remove a part that was similar, and he would create a part that replaced the broken one and repair the vehicles, whether it was a water or sewage truck.
I have observed how greatly capable he is and have felt his knowledge.
Whenever residents of Arctic Bay were on the land and experienced outboard motor problems while out hunting, they would call him on the CB radio to explain the situation, and he would offer his advice as if he was personally watching the hunter work on it as he would identify the part that was causing the problem.
When they followed his advice, they were usually able to fix their motor and get it running.
He is very mechanically inclined with a complete understanding of machines and all without ever having taken any formal education or any mechanical training. He had no certification as a mechanic, but he was more knowledgeable than most certified mechanics.
He genuinely impressed other mechanics enough that while working in Nanisivik, one mechanic stated that Olayuk could probably make a vehicle run using a two-by-four part he made. That is how impressed he was.
That is how Inuit can be extremely capable, even without any formal education or training.
We should express more pride in and support our youth.
I am very proud of this man.
Mr. Speaker, I just wanted to highlight this man’s abilities and his tremendous service to the residents of Arctic Bay. I would ask that this government recognize him and his longstanding service. He is very mechanically inclined and a very capable man.
Member’s Statement 118 – 4(3): Recognizing the Work of Jaco Ishulutak (Mike)
Hon. Johnny Mike (interpretation): I apologize, but my written notes for my statement are in there.
As the Minister of Environment, I try to use as little paper as I can and provide a good example.
I want to make a statement about Pangnirtung and to congratulate my fellow residents for their accomplishments. At the new Pangnirtung small craft harbour, there is a (interpretation ends) monument (interpretation) that shows the vicinity of the harbour which was carved by a group mentored by master carver Jaco Ishulutak. This man is what they call a (interpretation ends) master carver (interpretation) in this day and age.
The monument shows where the harbour is situated and this monument had to be built for that purpose.
When I first saw that large boulder which is approximately six feet long and five feet high, it’s a massive boulder that was moved to the marine harbour and I wondered why this huge boulder was placed there. I found out it was to be a monument for the harbour.
Mr. Speaker, I will be tabling this paper so that everyone can see just how massive this boulder is, serving as the monument for the small craft harbour.
On the top is a hatch, with a turbot carved into the side as well as the wording “Pangnirtung, Nunavut 2015 – Hamlet of Pangnirtung.”
They used this monument to offer training to several people with funding from Economic Development and Transportation as well as Kakivak that helped sponsor this training.
Jaco Ishulutak provided the training to the following people whose names I will now state as the residents of Pangnirtung want to express their pride in: Aiden Metuq, Michael Newkingak, Jupa Ishulutak, Steven Ishulutak, Joanasie Nauyuk, Patrick Nauyuk, and Pauloosie Peter.
This massive boulder was created into a monument after a period of seven weeks of carving by the group.
That is how difficult it was to complete.
I just wanted to congratulate these individuals and to share that. For my colleagues who have huge boulders around your communities, you can see what can be created out of these big boulders.
Member’s Statement 119 – 4(3): Reminder to All Hunters to be Well Prepared (Mikkungwak)
Good day to the people of Baker Lake and Nunavummiut.
Since this is fall time and we are moving towards the winter season, though we hear that Nunavut is very beautiful and has fresh air, this is just to remind Nunavummiut that elder men, young people, women, and older people go out hunting to feed their families.
Let’s be more cognizant of the fact that it’s very cold out there.  Last year, the Department of Community and Government Services provided SPOT devices that you only need to sign out if you’re going to go out hunting.
Some people already know how to use GPS devices, but not all hunters have them.
With that, I urge and remind Nunavummiut that since we are moving towards winter, please make sure you are well prepared before you go out, including your snowmobiles and sleds, and always travel with somebody if possible.
I know in this day and age, we have search and rescue teams all over Nunavut who worry about people going out on the land and they listen for people who need rescuing. I rise today as a member of search and rescue with the message that we need to pay close attention to Nunavummiut, especially those going out hunting for subsistence. Let’s pay close attention to them and provide support for the search and rescue members in our communities.
With that, at the appropriate time, I will have questions for the minister responsible.
Returns to Oral Questions. (interpretation ends) Hon. Minister of Community and Government Services, Mr. Mike.
Return to Oral Question 113 – 4(3): Plans to Repurpose Building 534 in Iqaluit (Mike)
I have a return to Oral Question 113 – 4(3) that was asked by the Member for Iqaluit-Tasiluk on November 2, 2015, concerning the plans to repurpose Building 534 in Iqaluit.