Good morning. Orders of the day for Friday, June 19, 1992. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Arvaluk.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to state to the Members my appreciation for the book that was produced by the elders of Coral Harbour, entitled, in Inuktitut, "Sivulliptinnit Qaujimajariaqiqtavut,' and in English, "Our Link to the Past.' The elders that participated in this project were Annie Netser, Emma Natatok, lrqsuktuk Eetuk, Kanayuk Bruce, Mikitok Bruce, Nadleopar Kudluk, Omayualuk Eetuk, Tooma Netser, Qupiruaq Takunagak, Sekoliak Paliak, and Tomassie Nakoolak. One other elder, Maggie Nakoolak, did participate, but, sadly, she passed away during production. She had wanted to write more, but her failing health prevented this. The book was dedicated to her memory and her wish that this project be carried on.

This book symbolizes the passing of knowledge from one generation to the next. Each of the elders expressed that they must seek different means and medias to pass along the tradition, culture and language to their children and their grandchildren and that much more begs to be documented before all is lost to time immemorial.

I am proud that before becoming an MLA I participated as a co-ordinator; Suzie Emiktowt as editor; Ikkummuk Evaloakjuk as editor and typist; Atteetah Evaloakjuk, editing and typing; Clara Ell, artwork; and Fraser Hope with computer graphics and layout.

The community education council of Coral Harbour provided the support since the conception of this project. I thank each and every one who helped make this happen. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Lewis.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is still very unclear which way this government is going to go with its economic development programs. But since it is Friday, I will start off on a good note by commending the Department of Economic Development and Tourism for a full-page exposure yesterday in the gardening section of the Edmonton Journal, section C7. It is about the driveable wilderness, an adventure of a lifetime. There is a map of this waterfalls route, which includes visions of Alexandra Falls, the 34 metre drop, Louise Falls, Lady Evelyn Falls near Kakisa, and Whittaker Falls. This water will, in the words of some wise elders, 'fall forever." Being an

optimist, I believe that there will be people around for just as long to witness these wonderful spectacles. So I think they are on the right track, that we do have some beautiful things to show people, and we should not be too shy to take a full page like this, because I think we only pay for half of it. Some good copywriter from that department has written the article, and we have only paid for half the page, so I think it is a good thing to do. Thank you.

Members' statements. Mr. Gargan.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to speak about an Inuit hunter and trapper from Pond Inlet named Joseph Idlout. Mr. Idlout will be familiar to all Canadians. Along with Elijah Erkloo, a former Member of this House, he was one of the young Inuit hunters who was featured on the back of an old Canadian two dollar bill. Mr. Speaker, on January 6 of this year, I watched a television documentary, "Between Two Worlds", that detailed the life of Mr. Idlout from his early years in Pond Inlet to the time of his death in Resolute in 1968. Mr. Speaker, I was deeply touched by the struggle and the ultimate tragedy of his life. I decided at that time I would not speak about Mr. Idlout's life because I felt it may have been more appropriate for an Inuit Member to speak of one of their own.

However, Mr. Speaker, last week my father passed away in Fort Providence. At that time, I began to think once again of Mr. Idlout and of all northern aboriginal people, be it Inuit, Dene or Metis, of his or my father's generation. It was this generation of aboriginal people that had to bridge the gap between the traditional lifestyle and the modern world. Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, the adjustment came at a very dear price, not just in terms of human life but in the loss of dignity, identity, culture and tradition for people. It was leaders like Mr. Idlout and my father who struggled to keep our tradition and culture alive and well. Mr. Speaker, I personally would like to express my gratitude to this generation of our people. No one can truly measure what their struggle meant to my generation and future generations to come. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Gargan. Mr. Pudluk.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know a number of the Members have a difficult time pronouncing names and forget what the real name is. I am not against you, Mr. Gargan. It is not "Oodlak". It is Joseph Idlout. I just wanted to make that correction. Thank you.

That would fall under the category of a language point of order. Members' statements. Ms. Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The honourable Members will recall I have spoken previously about my constituents' effort to develop a successful turbot fishery off the east coast of Baffin Island. Since the outset of this project, Pangnirtung fishermen have found that in addition to the

ground fish, a large number of Greenland sharks are also included in the incidental catch. Mr. Speaker, these sharks damage the long line fishing gear used by our fishermen, resulting in increased operating costs. More important than that, perhaps, is the fact that hundreds and hundreds of pounds of shark must be left on the ice to spoil. Throughout history, Inuit have been the world's greatest conservationists, Mr. Speaker. It goes against our cultural values to see this waste take place with one of nature's creatures. If we are to take the lives of these fish, then we should be able to make use of them as our elders made use of animals and fish they harvested in traditional times.

This is made even more unfortunate by the fact that markets do exist that would enable Inuit to harvest and sell shark products. This would be one way in which we might make sure that these animals did not die without a purpose. Mr. lpeelee Kilabuk, who served in this House so well for many years, realized this, and he repeatedly called on the former Minister of Economic Development to make some initiatives in identifying market opportunities for shark products. Over and over, the response was that the department was working on it, but virtually no progress was ever made.

Mr. Kilabuk was promised, for instance, that Pangnirtung fishermen would be trained in salting and drying techniques that would reduce the costs for shipping the sharkskins. He was told the arrangements were being made with an American tannery to produce exotic leather. He was told that research was being carried out to investigate the international sale of market shark meat. In each case, Mr. Speaker, I believe the department failed to follow up....

Me. Mike, your allotted time has expired.

I seek unanimous consent to conclude my Member's statement

Are there any nays? There are no nays; please continue, Me. Mike.

I know that this year again many sharks were caught in the long lines of our turbot fishermen, damaging costly equipment and reducing operational efficiency. Again this year Inuit fishermen are saddened by the fact that they had no choice but to leave hundreds of shark carcasses stacked on the ice to spoil because no market has been developed. I will be doing everything I can do to convince our current Minister of Economic Development and Tourism to make a serious effort to resolve this continuing problem. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. For Members' information, the flags have been moved; the penalty clock is now in full view.

---Laughter

Mr. Koe.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to make a statement on the upcoming Inuit Circumpolar Conference. As the co-ordinating agency for the 1992 Inuit Circumpolar Conference, the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation would like to thank the Government of the Northwest Territories, the Government of Canada, Inuvik Town Council and residents for their financial and kind support of the conference. The theme of the conference is "One Arctic, One Future."

The Inuit Circumpolar Conference general assembly and elders conference will take place in Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk during the week of July 20 to 24. There will be about 900 delegates related to the conference in Inuvik and Tuk and an estimated number of about 2000 tourists which will be in the region at that time,

The Inuvialuit Regional Corporation and myself would like to extend an invitation to everyone to come up to the conference, not only for the sessions that will deal with self-government, economic development social and health concerns but to also enjoy the many cultural activities to be performed by people coming from Greenland, Alaska, Chukotka and Canada. Chukotka is in Russia.

Each evening will feature a gala event of entertainers. On Monday they will have Canada night; Tuesday will be Alaska night; Wednesday will be Inuvik day, and they will also have the rock band from Quebec called Kashtin; Thursday is Greenland night; and Friday Chukotka night and a grand finale.

Other activities that will occur during the conference will be a northern games demonstration and food; Amway's Masters of the Arctic carving exhibit; Prince of Wales Northern Heritage cultural travelling exhibit; the Great Northern Arts and Music Festival and the Western Arctic Crafts Society exhibits....

Mr. Koe, your time has expired.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to finish my statement.

The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Proceed, Mr. Koe.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If you plan to be at the conference and you have a few hours to spare, we are looking for volunteers. Please lend a hand and make our guests feel welcome. We wish to see you all in the Mackenzie Delta. Qujannamiik. Mahsi cho.

Thank you, Mr. Koe. Members' statements. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Now that I can see the clock, I will take time for a Member's statement. Mr. Speaker, my Member's statement is basically an indication of concerns that have been expressed by constituents over the past couple of months. It is my understanding that individuals who have asked for an extension of educational leave - all educational leave has been denied by the government and by the appropriate departments. I have one individual, particularly, who has successfully obtained a BSW, bachelor of social work, over the past few years and has one year to go for an MSW, Master of Social Work, and unfortunately this request has been denied, not only through the Department of Social Services, I believe, but in conjunction with the Department of Education. This individual is a Metis, does not have status, and cannot look at other sources of funding. Mr. Speaker, I would urge the government to ensure that they give every opportunity to Metis people who want to pursue their avenue of education and to consider their potential of utilizing our own resources, once they obtain their degrees, and what benefit it is to all Northerners. I would strongly urge the government to look at these requests and consider all benefits that we derive as Northerners when they are deliberating their decision. Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Marie-Jewell. Members' statements. I have Mr. Pudlat next.