This is page numbers 143 - 180 of the Hansard for the 12th Assembly, 1st Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was ---agreed.

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Summit Of Inuit Leaders, Iqaluit
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 147

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Mr. Allooloo, your time has expired. Are you seeking unanimous consent to proceed?

Summit Of Inuit Leaders, Iqaluit
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 147

Titus Allooloo Amittuq

Please.

Summit Of Inuit Leaders, Iqaluit
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 147

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Unanimous consent has been requested. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Proceed, Mr. Allooloo.

Summit Of Inuit Leaders, Iqaluit
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 147

Titus Allooloo Amittuq

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Members. Our hunters and trappers find themselves in a life and death struggle for the protection of their way of life with the extreme elements of the animal rights movement.

But hardship is not new to my people. We have experienced new diseases that our bodies could not fight. When game was scarce, we starved. With the coming of industrial society our families were ripped apart and our children sent away to residential schools. Alcoholism, drug abuse, and other new social problems now cripple many of our communities today. In a very short time, especially in the last 30 years, the basic values of the Inuit way of life were completely turned upside down and a whole new set of rules, still foreign to us, were put in place by those who came to our lands. As a result of this imposed system, we find that those in positions of power, such as judges, lawyers, doctors, nurses, educators and bureaucrats at the top positions, are not of our people. Therefore, we find ourselves governed by others, using their methods of government.

One example of how the law in Canada dealt with native people is the fact that until 1960 no aboriginal person or native of mixed blood was allowed to testify in court in British Columbia.

In 1960, when I was a child, only 30 years ago, the law was revised to allow native people to testify on their own behalf. However, even the revision said that native people were "uncivilized, destitute of knowledge of God, they had no clear belief in religion and they knew nothing of a future state of rewards and punishments." No aboriginal person in Canada could legally vote until the year 1960.

This gross misunderstanding of our cultures is changing, but only because, I believe, Mr. Speaker, native people have shown strong conviction in their own beliefs and an amazing ability to adapt to new ways of life and survive.

We possessed, and still possess today, an incredibly rich system of knowledge that guided our thoughts and actions, as individuals and as a people, a system that enabled us not only to survive but to thrive in a part of the world that is considered the harshest inhabited by human beings. But this is our homeland which we love.

Now we are told that our homeland does not belong to us. They tell us that we must negotiate if we want to have a say in how our land is managed and protected. The Inuit have always viewed themselves as the protectors of the land and its resources. This was a responsibility shared by all Inuit. Now we are told that in order to protect our land we must own it and obtain title to it from others. That same society promotes the rights and interests of the individual above that of the community. This is a concept that cuts cross the heart of traditional Inuit values and culture because while we have always respected the freedom of the individual, the welfare of all the people was the guiding principle. We needed to work together. That is how we have survived. We need to work together today.

In spite of terrible hardships, we have survived. We are rebuilding our communities; we are fighting to protect our languages; and we continue to practise the traditions given to us by our ancestors, which have guided my people for thousands of years.

It is time for my people to regroup and come together to plan for the survival of our homeland and our people.

It is my personal view that in order for us to achieve a consensus on a common agenda for our future, we must draw on our strengths of the past. We must set aside our individual needs and seek out solutions that are of greatest benefit to the whole community. The need to work together for a common purpose is greater now than it has ever been.

The agenda for the proposed summit includes the creation of Nunavut, a discussion on the boundary plebiscite, a review of our land claim negotiations and a discussion on various constitutional matters. Most importantly, we have to discuss ways in which we can help each other. Our people and our leaders are faced with tremendous stress today, and expectations, and we need to reach out to one another and offer our encouragement and support, as is our way.

We recognize that our people are facing many crucial decisions, and we want our voices to be united and our vision to be clear. It is important that the direction we choose is supported by our communities and follows in the footsteps of our ancestors, who have walked through this life with purpose and confidence. The principles that we identify together will be a guide for us in governing ourselves and to determine our destiny.

It gives me great pride to inform the Members of this Assembly that our leadership, including our elders, our youth, our women, will be represented at the proposed summit. This most important Inuit summit will help us to redefine our purpose and reach agreement on our priorities.

We must carry on the tradition of Qudliq, the symbol of the continuous burning light that used to warm our homes and spirits. The fire has been burning out. It is time for us to rekindle it, to make it strong again, so that we may find our strength and our ways once more.

Mr. Speaker, we know that the present and the future hold many problems and obstacles, but this knowledge will only serve to strengthen our resolve to overcome these difficult times. The trail ahead may be rough and obscure, but we continue on, knowing that our people have pulled through very difficult times before and their passing has marked the path. Our will to survive is as strong as it ever was, and I am confident that by coming together we will ensure that our future as Inuit will be made better for our children of tomorrow.

I have great confidence that this summit will achieve what I have outlined, and I am asking each one of you for your moral support. Qujannamiik.

---Applause

Summit Of Inuit Leaders, Iqaluit
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 148

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Thank you. I allowed pretty broad latitude for the definition of Members' statements because of the importance of the issue, but I hope that Members will respect the definition of Members' statements and only take advantage of the generosity at the appropriate time. Members' statements. Mr. Kakfwi.

Brian Lewis' Role In "dreams And Visions"
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 148

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, I wish to give some special recognition to the MLA for Yellowknife Centre, Brian Lewis. It should be noted that if it was not for his urging and pushing and constant, persistent and frequent requests for status reports, the book "Dreams and Visions" probably would not have been published by the Department of Education. It would have continued to sit on the shelf gathering dust.

Members should know that the book "Dreams and Visions" is a recollection of the NWT education system from the mission schools of the 1800s until 1984. As a result of Mr. Lewis' persistence, one of the last things I did as the former Minister of Education was to publish and subsequently release the book. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that someone finally took the honourable Member's advice.

Nice letters of appreciation from those who were close to Norm McPherson, the researcher and principal writer of the manuscript, have come recently, applauding the book and the government for finally releasing it. Thank you.

---Applause

Brian Lewis' Role In "dreams And Visions"
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 148

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Members' statements. Mr. Lewis.

Going Home For Christmas
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 148

Brian Lewis Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have the pleasure of living very close to this building where we work when the Legislature is sitting and having listened to Mr. Allooloo and the word "home" and "homeland", it made me think that probably this Legislature has never sat this close to Christmas before. So I would like to wish all Members God speed in their journeys back home, where they will join their families, because this time of the year the word "home" and "homeland" and "family", means so much to everybody.

So I would like to ask all Members, in the spirit of the season and the spirit of co-operation, to try to get the work of this Legislature done in a responsible manner and in a co-operative fashion so that we can all finish tomorrow, so that people can get home for Christmas.

Going Home For Christmas
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 148

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

We hope there is no Scrooge in this Assembly.

---Laughter

Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Ningark.

Further Return To Question O91-12(1): Forest Resource Plan For Liard Valley
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 148

John Ningark Natilikmiot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to Question O91-12(1), asked by Mr. Antoine on December 13, 1991. I would like to confirm what the Government Leader said on Friday, December 13, 1991. There is no arrangement for the Government of British Columbia to contact the Government of the NWT before permits are issued to log areas bordering the NWT. We will contact the Government of British Columbia on this issue. Thank you.

Further Return To Question O91-12(1): Forest Resource Plan For Liard Valley
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 148

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Returns to oral questions. Mr. Kakfwi.

Further Return To Question O95-12(1): Hiring Non-canadians For Management Positions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

December 16th, 1991

Page 148

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is a return to Question O95-12(1) asked by Mr. Bernhardt on December 13, 1991, regarding the hiring of non-Canadians for management positions. The rules regarding the hiring of non-Canadian citizens apply to all positions in the Government of the NWT. As specified in the personnel manual, all potential employees are asked to indicate their citizenship on the application form. Personnel officers are responsible for verifying with the nearest immigration office that non-Canadians applying on GNWT competitions have landed immigrant status.

The Government of the NWT complies with federal legislation regarding landed immigrants. Those with landed immigrant status are temporary citizens and are entitled to the rights of a Canadian citizen, including the right to obtain work anywhere in the country.

Further Return To Question O106-12(1): Policy Re Hiring Non-canadians In Management Positions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 148

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

This is in response to a question asked by Mrs. Marie-Jewell on December 13, 1991. On all competitions the affirmative action policy is applied in considering the applications. Non-Canadians with landed immigrant status applying on Government of the NWT competitions are treated as any other Canadian citizen. The rules are clearly outlined in the personnel manual. There is no need to develop any additional policies or guidelines regarding the hiring of non-Canadians for management positions.

The affirmative action policy provides hiring preference for qualified members of designated groups. Therefore, as long as there are qualified applicants on a competition who are eligible for preference under the affirmative action policy, they will get the job. Only in circumstances where there are no applicants who are qualified and who are eligible under the policy will other applicants, including non-Canadians, be considered.

Further Return To Question O106-12(1): Policy Re Hiring Non-canadians In Management Positions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 148

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Thank you. Returns to oral questions. Mr. Allooloo.

Return To Question O108-12(1): Finalization Of Federal-territorial Agreement Re Arviat Airport
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 148

Titus Allooloo Amittuq

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to a question asked by Mr. Arngna'naaq on December 13, 1991. On December 13, 1991, the Member for Kivallivik reported a difficulty the hamlet of Arviat had experienced in ordering replacement lighting for the non-directional air navigation beacon at the Arviat airport. The Member suggested that the difficulty was a result of the transfer agreement for the Arctic B and C airports program between the federal and territorial governments which was completed this last February 1991.

The agreement transferred to the territorial Department of Transportation the ownership and the responsibility for the operation and maintenance of the airport lands, the runways, the airport buildings and the ground visual aids of the Arviat airport. The transfer agreement did not include responsibility for the electronic air navigation aids. Air navigation systems are national in scope, and remain the exclusive responsibility of the federal government.

My officials at the Department of Transportation have investigated the Member's report, and I believe the lights the Member referred to in his question were the obstruction lights on top of Arviat airport's non-directional beacon tower. On October 15, 1991, the observer /communicator on duty at the Arviat airport reported the failure of lights to Transport Canada officials in Rankin Inlet. Transport Canada issued a Notice To Airmen, NOTAM, concerning the non-directional beacon tower's obstruction lights. By November 15th, a month later, Transport Canada had not repaired the faulty lights.

The hamlet of Arviat wished to replace the lights themselves. The Department of Transportation would not authorize the hamlet's expenditure of moneys on what is properly a federal responsibility. More importantly, while the department commends the hamlet's commitment to air safety, it did not wish hamlet employees to climb the 182-foot high beacon tower to replace the lamps.

On November 15th, the Department of Transportation reminded Transport Canada that the tower lights on the non-directional beacon were still not working. On November 28th, Transport Canada sent two tower maintenance technicians to Arviat who safely replaced the obstruction warning lights on the tower. The delay in repairing the beacon lights in Arviat was not the result of the Arctic airports transfer agreement. Thank you.

Return To Question O108-12(1): Finalization Of Federal-territorial Agreement Re Arviat Airport
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 149

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Returns to oral questions. Item 5, oral questions. Oral questions. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I direct my question to the Minister of Health. Will the Minister of Health be able to advise this House how many health boards, whether regional boards or boards of management, there are in the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Minister of Health,

Return To Question O134-12(1): Number Of Nwt Health Boards
Question O134-12(1): Number Of NWT Health Boards
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 149

Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, lots. I could get the listing. I do not have that at my fingertips, but I could get the listing. There are at least five regional boards that I am aware of, and as far as the numbers they vary as to their particular size, but I will get that for the Member as soon as I can.

Return To Question O134-12(1): Number Of Nwt Health Boards
Question O134-12(1): Number Of NWT Health Boards
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 149

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Supplementary To Question O134-12(1): Number Of Nwt Health Boards
Question O134-12(1): Number Of NWT Health Boards
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 149

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Mr. Speaker, I do not know whether he took it as notice, but it appears that he has not. Mr. Speaker, I would like to know if the Minister of Health would be able to tell me, out of these boards, how many chairmen are appointed at pleasure. Thank you.

Supplementary To Question O134-12(1): Number Of Nwt Health Boards
Question O134-12(1): Number Of NWT Health Boards
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 149

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Minister of Health.

Further Return To Question O134-12(1): Number Of Nwt Health Boards
Question O134-12(1): Number Of NWT Health Boards
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 149

Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thought they were all appointed at pleasure, but I cannot be absolutely certain. I will have to review that. I do know that there may be some.

Further Return To Question O134-12(1): Number Of Nwt Health Boards
Question O134-12(1): Number Of NWT Health Boards
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 149

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Second supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Supplementary To Question O134-12(1): Number Of Nwt Health Boards
Question O134-12(1): Number Of NWT Health Boards
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 149

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Mr. Chairman, I guess I am concerned with respect to some of these health boards having the chairmen appointed by the Minister of Health and their appointments being at pleasure. Realistically, a chairman could be there for 20 years if the process allowed. However, I would like to ask the Minister of Health if he would consider applying an expiry date on the terms of the chairmen of health boards who are appointed at pleasure. Thank you.