Debates of Sept. 15th, 1992

This is page numbers 915 - 940 of the Hansard for the 12th Assembly, 2nd 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 education.

Topics

Members Present
Item 1: Prayer
Phone Service To Small Communities
Northern Hire
Minister's Absence From The House
Municipal Elections In Inuvik
Member's Statement Regarding Government Response To Report Of Traditional Knowledge Working Group
Immigration Of Aboriginal People To Canada's North
Member's Statement Regarding Constitutional Amendments
The Council For Aboriginal Justice
Artisans Acquiring Funding
The Retirement Of A Constituent
Aboriginal Justice Conference
Member's Statement Wishing The Clerk A Happy Birthday
Question O768-12(2): Participation In Gender Awareness Training Program
Question O769-12(2): Status Of Community Transfer Agreements
Question O770-12(2): Status Of Program Transfer Document
Question O771-12(2): Requirements For Teacher Training
Question O772-12(2): Collective Approach For Advertising
Question O773-12(2): Establishment Of Territorial Elders' Council
Question O774-12(2): Collective Approach To Advertising
Question O775-12(2): Access To Developmental Funding
Question O776-12(2): Flood Damage Funding
Question O777-12(2): Impact Of Merger On Northern Transportation Industry
Question O778-12(2): Resources To Support Released Inmates
Question O779-12(2): Trans-boundary Water Agreement
Item 13: Tabling Of Documents
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Introductory Remarks For The Department Of Education
General Comments
To Adopt Recommendation 20
To Adopt Recommendation 21
Report Of The Standing Committee On Finance
Motion 148-12(2) To Adopt Recommendation 22
Motion 149-12(2) To Adopt Recommendation 23
Motion 150-12(2) To Adopt Recommendation 24
Motion 151-12(2) To Adopt Recommendation 25
To Adopt Recommendation 26
Motion 153-12(2) To Adopt Recommendation 27
To Adopt Recommendation 28
Item 20: Report Of Committee Of The Whole
Presentation To The Clerk
Item 22: Orders Of The Day

Artisans Acquiring Funding
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 919

Silas Arngna'naaq Kivallivik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today out of concern over the difficulty that some artisans are experiencing with respect to obtaining funds for business development and market expansion.

According to the report of the Standing Committee on National Economy, retail sales for arts and crafts run about $20 million a year. The S.C.O.N.E. report also pointed out, however, that industry sales could improve significantly with more effective promotion, and more attention to ensuring the highest quality of product.

Mr. Speaker, the establishment of new markets for northern products has been an issue raised by my honourable colleague, the Member for Baffin Central. I too believe that this is important, especially for our fine arts industry. I am aware that staff resources do not exist within the Department of Economic Development and Tourism to develop new international and domestic markets for N.W.T. tourism, arts and crafts, and Arctic foods.

However, it is my view, that wherever possible, the private sector should take the lead role in organizing and coordinating market development activity. I know this is not going to be possible for all northern products, but where it is, I would much rather see the government providing contribution funding to northern galleries and distributors; which after all, are the experts in the field, rather than this becoming the exclusive jurisdiction of departmental personnel.

This was driven home for me when I discovered that a Keewatin firm, with a successful ten year history of dealing in fine arts, had experienced difficulty securing funding for badly needed expansion and market development.

Ookpiktuyuk Art of Baker Lake, which is owned and operated by Inuit, has an exciting proposal that would involve mounting exhibitions of works of some of our best known artists. I was concerned to learn, recently, that the people behind this proposal got nowhere in their attempt to access E.D.A. funding, and that they are running into a brick wall with the department.

I hope the Minister will agree with me on the importance of developing new markets for our northern artists, and will look into the matter of the proposal at his earliest convenience.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Artisans Acquiring Funding
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 919

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Pudlat.

The Retirement Of A Constituent
Item 3: Members' Statements

September 14th, 1992

Page 919

Kenoayoak Pudlat Baffin South

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today, and would like to compliment, as I do not think that I could work for that number of years as this particular person advised me that he will be retiring in December. When I was a child there were not too many people who were bilingual. He has helped the unilingual Inuit. In December, that person will be retiring and has been working for 47 years, he will be turning 65.

On behalf of my constituents, I would like to thank him for his tremendous help to the Inuit, and to the non-Inuit alike. Mr. Speaker, I do not think that I could work for that number of years, especially on the same job. I would like to thank you that I could share this with the Members. Thank you.

The Retirement Of A Constituent
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 919

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Antoine.

Aboriginal Justice Conference
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 919

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I would like to let the House know that at the end of this month, September 29, 30 and October 1, 1992 there is going to be a conference in Fort Simpson that deals with justice in Deh Cho. This is a forum that relates to what my colleague, Mr. Gargan, has been talking about: that is, aboriginal justice reform. We are going to be dealing with a number of issues, such as existing system and current developments, community justice models, aboriginal and justice initiatives, and community justice and policing. These are the issues that we want to expose the communities and the constituency to. With the amount of funding that Mr. Gargan is talking about, I was wondering if the Department of Justice and Corrections Department would help out in this endeavour.

I would like to invite the different Members here to come and participate in this conference being held in Fort Simpson. Thank you.

Aboriginal Justice Conference
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 919

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Nerysoo.

Member's Statement Wishing The Clerk A Happy Birthday
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 919

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish, on behalf of all my colleagues, in particular on this side of the House, but I know that all Members will join with me, in extending our wishes to our Clerk on his birthday.

---Applause

I will not ask him how old he is, or should I say how young? I hope that he is as fresh as Mr. Koe is.

Member's Statement Wishing The Clerk A Happy Birthday
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 919

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Gargan.

Question O768-12(2): Participation In Gender Awareness Training Program
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 919

Samuel Gargan Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Justice. Mr. Speaker, the report on the special advisor on gender equality was tabled on June 29, 1992 and titled "The Justice House". In the report, Ms. Katherine Peterson, Queen's Counsel, recommended that training in gender issues should be made available for members of the judiciary, Crown attorneys, Crown administrators, and other people who work in the justice system.

Earlier today, I referred to the fact that the current Director General of the Federal Council for Aboriginal Justice Administration is the same individual who was responsible for the arrest, detention and humiliation of Kitty Nowdluk Reynolds. Recognizing the importance of Ms. Peterson's recommendations, and the Director General's prior history of insensitivity to gender issues in the Kitty Nowdluk case, will the Minister of Justice communicate immediately with his federal counterparts and insist that his official participate in the mandatory gender awareness training program?

Question O768-12(2): Participation In Gender Awareness Training Program
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 920

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Mr. Kakfwi.

Return To Question O768-12(2): Participation In Gender Awareness Training Program
Question O768-12(2): Participation In Gender Awareness Training Program
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 920

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, I will not even rise to answer that, I will take it as notice. Thank you.

Return To Question O768-12(2): Participation In Gender Awareness Training Program
Question O768-12(2): Participation In Gender Awareness Training Program
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 920

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Would you, Mr. Kakfwi? The rules say that you must rise to answer. I am sorry.

Return To Question O768-12(2): Participation In Gender Awareness Training Program
Question O768-12(2): Participation In Gender Awareness Training Program
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 920

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, I got off my chair. Thank you.

Return To Question O768-12(2): Participation In Gender Awareness Training Program
Question O768-12(2): Participation In Gender Awareness Training Program
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 920

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Next time you can stand up. The question has been taken as notice. Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Koe.

Question O769-12(2): Status Of Community Transfer Agreements
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 920

Fred Koe Inuvik

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on December 10, 1991, the Minister of Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs announced this government's initiatives for transferring responsibilities to communities. In the Minister's statement, he stated that community self-government will be a major priority of this government. The Minister also stated that a community transfer committee was established and I quote, "is in the process of developing a comprehensive strategy for implementing community transfer agreements."

This statement was made on December 10, 1991. My question to the Minister is, at what stage of development is the comprehensive strategy for implementing community transfer agreements?

Question O769-12(2): Status Of Community Transfer Agreements
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 920

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Mr. Kakfwi.

Return To Question O769-12(2): Status Of Community Transfer Agreements
Question O769-12(2): Status Of Community Transfer Agreements
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 920

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, the implementation of those recommendations has been attempted to be agreed to through this committee in the last few months. I believe it is fair to say there have been some difficulties because of, perhaps, philosophical or political views on how to approach the job. I think it is part of the historical struggle of self-government in the Northwest Territories, particularly in the Mackenzie Valley, between the territorial government and some of the more rhetorical leaders out in the field.

In any case, I have advised that I am not prepared to wait any longer, and have approached Cabinet with a specific request, that I will expedite a proposal myself which I want to run through the Cabinet committee called the Political and Constitutional Development Committee, so that Cabinet can ratify it. I think we have given this rather high level deputy minister's committee sufficient time to work out a strategy and an approach, and, I believe, that the difference of view and opinion are so fundamental, that it is not realistic to expect them to deliver a strategy, so I have taken the approach I have just outlined. Thank you.

Return To Question O769-12(2): Status Of Community Transfer Agreements
Question O769-12(2): Status Of Community Transfer Agreements
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 920

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Supplementary To Question O769-12(2): Status Of Community Transfer Agreements
Question O769-12(2): Status Of Community Transfer Agreements
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 920

Fred Koe Inuvik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The committee the Minister is referring to, I assume, is the committee that is made up of the deputy ministers who are in place to oversee the process. And you mention that you have taken away the responsibilities in this process. Can you explain if that Committee is still in place, or have you taken the responsibility for developing this initiative?

Supplementary To Question O769-12(2): Status Of Community Transfer Agreements
Question O769-12(2): Status Of Community Transfer Agreements
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 920

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Mr. Kakfwi.

Further Return To Question O769-12(2): Status Of Community Transfer Agreements
Question O769-12(2): Status Of Community Transfer Agreements
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 920

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, the committee is still in place and their responsibility is still to coordinate the approach. What I have said is that the basic principles on which the committee feels they must start to develop a strategy on how to approach community transfer initiatives is flawed, in that the different members of the committee can not agree on the basic principles, at least the principles we thought they would have.

They might have trouble interpreting on how flexible they should be on the approach. So, what I have done is serve notice that, as a Minister, I am going to ask Cabinet to consider clarifying, again, what it is expediting as an approach that I think the committee should continue its work on. So, that is the statement I was trying to make. Thank you.

Further Return To Question O769-12(2): Status Of Community Transfer Agreements
Question O769-12(2): Status Of Community Transfer Agreements
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 920

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Item 5, oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Supplementary To Question O769-12(2): Status Of Community Transfer Agreements
Question O769-12(2): Status Of Community Transfer Agreements
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 920

Fred Koe Inuvik

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. So, it has taken eight and a half months, since December, to come to the realization that things are not all that great within the bureaucracy. Yesterday, I made reference to some of the statements the Minister made about Fort McPherson, and quoted that the bureaucrats should shape up or ship out. So, I assume that the statement will be made to these deputies who are obviously having trouble dealing with the initiatives that were stated in December.

My question is what further steps are you going to be taking to ensure that the initiatives as presented by, for example, the Gwich'in, are you going to be dealing with this proposal very quickly?

Supplementary To Question O769-12(2): Status Of Community Transfer Agreements
Question O769-12(2): Status Of Community Transfer Agreements
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 920

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Mr. Kakfwi.

Further Return To Question O769-12(2): Status Of Community Transfer Agreements
Question O769-12(2): Status Of Community Transfer Agreements
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 920

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, I think if the Member is going to try and quote me he should be a little more precise about it, I never use the words that he used. This is what I said, civil servants do not come to line with the approach that I want to advocate, as long as I am the Minister, they can face the prospect of being put out to pasture. By that I meant, that they can go work in other fields, other than this one, if they do not have the philosophical coherency to take the approach that I want, to negotiate any community transfers and self-

government arrangements. Then we will see that they work in another area of government, where their skills and their philosophies are less antagonistic. I did not intend to mean that I am going to seek to have them removed from the civil service at all. That should be clarified.

In any case, the Gwich'in have served notice that they want to start negotiations on the framework for self-government, and I have indicated that I am prepared to see these negotiations begin. That, personally, I do not see any short term or on the short term any immediate tangible results. Strategically, I asked them to consider the possibility that we look at getting into community transfer initiative talks, as if it was all part of self-government negotiations at the community level, and that this would certainly be done without prejudicing self- government negotiations. Irregardless of whether they go for an aboriginal form of self-government, or whether they go to be part of a public government, that the basic intent is that there will be a strong community government. That is what the intent of the community transfer initiatives are. So, that is what the message was to the Gwich'in. Thank you.