This is page numbers 53 - 91 of the Hansard for the 12th Assembly, 7th 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 nunavut.

Topics

Members Present

Mr. Allooloo, Mr. Antoine, Mr. Ballantyne, Hon. Nellie Cournoyea, Mr. Dent, Mr. Gargan, Hon. Stephen Kakfwi, Mr. Koe, Mr. Lewis, Hon. Rebecca Mike, Hon. Don Morin, Hon. Richard Nerysoo, Mr. Ng, Mr. Ningark, Mr. Patterson, Hon. John Pollard, Mr. Pudlat, Mr. Pudluk, Hon. John Todd, Mr. Whitford, Mr. Zoe

---Prayer

Item 1: Prayer
Item 1: Prayer

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The Deputy Speaker Brian Lewis

Good afternoon, colleagues. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Kakfwi.

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, in February of 1993, the Members of the Legislative Assembly passed a resolution adopting the principle of zero tolerance for family violence and called upon community governments, native organizations, unions and other organizations to adopt the principle of zero tolerance for family violence. I wish to report on the number of organizations which, to the best of my knowledge and information, have accepted the invitation from the Legislative Assembly and have passed resolutions or declarations of zero tolerance.

Within days of the Legislative Assembly passing its resolution, the town of Hay River passed a resolution supporting the Legislative Assembly's declaration of zero tolerance towards family violence and praising the action of the Legislative Assembly.

The city of Yellowknife in March, 1994, adopted the declaration of family violence, passed by the Legislative Assembly, and forwarded its resolution to the NWT Association of Municipalities for consideration at its 1994 annual general meeting. The city of Yellowknife also resolved that the NWT Association of Municipalities ensure that the necessary changes are made to make it mandatory that anyone who is convicted of family violence while holding public office be required to resign his or her seat.

The NWT Association of Municipalities in May, 1994, passed a resolution to the same effect as the city of Yellowknife resolution.

The Aklavik Band Council in July, 1994, passed a resolution adopting the declaration on family violence and resolving to ensure that the Gwich'in Tribal Council by-laws are changed to deal with the resignation from public office of persons who engage in family violence.

The town of Fort Smith in October, 1994, adopted the principle of zero tolerance for family violence. In October, the Samba K'e Dene Band from Trout Lake adopted the declaration passed by the Legislative Assembly expressing that family violence has been going on for too long and should not be tolerated any longer.

In November, the hamlet of Aklavik adopted the declaration passed by the Legislative Assembly and the hamlet of Gjoa Haven unanimously passed a motion to support zero tolerance of abuse of family or spousal assault.

Mr. Speaker, in October, 1994, I wrote to all community governments, band councils, native organizations and the Federation of Labour asking them to make the same commitment that other organizations had made and adopt the principle of zero tolerance for family violence. As a result, my office is receiving reports from communities on a regular basis.

As the Members of the Legislative Assembly noted when they made their own declaration of zero tolerance, such pronouncements do not in themselves magically erase family violence and the destruction it causes, but it is an essential beginning. If family violence is to be dealt with, it requires that all of us in the north make this important statement of commitment or it will not happen. It is absolutely essential that this commitment be declared at the community level.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate those municipalities and organizations which have passed resolutions, and invite the Members of the Legislative Assembly to contact their constituents and urge their municipal councils, band councils and other organizations to adopt the principle of zero tolerance for family violence, if they have not already done so. Mahsi.

---Applause

The Deputy Speaker Brian Lewis

Thank you, Mr. Kakfwi. Item 2, Minister's statements. Mr. Nerysoo.

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment has taken a lead role in using new communications technologies to enhance program delivery. This has included the establishment of a territorial educational computer network and the use of interactive and broadcast television for delivery of distance learning programs. However, these initiatives are dependent on the development of an affordable communications infrastructure, which can be used for a variety of applications, such as television broadcasts, telephone services or computer links. The strategic plan for Education, Culture and Employment focused on the need for

a single, seamless communications network. As a first step towards creating this network, the department is cooperating with its partners to hold the connecting the north conference, from November 23rd to 25th.

Connecting the North will bring together people from the public and private sectors, including political leaders, the people who provide communications services and the people who use those services. Participants will discuss the state of northern communications infrastructure and consider options for future improvements. The potential for improved service delivery and economic development using modern communications technology will also be discussed. Presentations will include demonstrations of successful initiatives in the north and other jurisdictions. Many of these presentations will be made by teleconference, with participants as far away as Australia.

Connecting the North is being organized by the Inuit Broadcasting Corporation, with the assistance of the Department of Education, Culture and Employment. Funding has been provided by my department, as well as the departments of Health and Social Services and Economic Development and Tourism, as well as a number of federal government departments and the private sector. Considerable assistance has also been provided by Telesat Canada and NorthwesTel.

Mr. Speaker, the Northwest Territories has much to gain from an improved communications infrastructure. High-speed interactive communications could dramatically increase our ability to deliver education and other programs to all communities in a timely and cost-efficient manner. I look forward to next week's conference and our discussions on how to improve information services to connect the north. Thank you.

The Deputy Speaker Brian Lewis

Thank you, Mr. Nerysoo. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Todd.

John Todd Keewatin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, some concern has been raised by Members over the past several weeks about the lack of adequate community consultation by the Public Utilities Board concerning this application that will set the new rate structure for all communities in the Northwest Territories.

I am pleased to announce today that the board will be undertaking further regional hearings on the two major diesel zones, proposed zones 3 and 4.

The board is planning to travel to Iqaluit and Inuvik to hold public hearings within the next two months. I will be speaking with the chairman of the PUB later this week to consider the possibility of expanding these hearings to include other regions.

These hearings will provide a further opportunity for municipal governments and other interested residents to appear before the board to provide evidence on this application. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

The Deputy Speaker Brian Lewis

Thank you, Mr. Todd. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Koe.

Fred Koe Inuvik

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on November 9, 1994, the town of Inuvik issued a press release expressing their concerns about the process used to select a host community for the 1998 Arctic Winter Games. Generally, they are concerned about the process and selection criteria used and what the final decision means for the ongoing integrity and future of the games.

I wish to reiterate the position expressed by the Inuvik and region Arctic Winter Games Bid Committee that the 1998 bid process is finalized, and we all recognize and congratulate the city of Yellowknife as the host community. We wish them all the best.

Mr. Speaker, one of the outstanding issues is the selection process and criteria used by the Arctic Winter Games International Committee. Ever since the decision was announced, there have been various allegations and insinuations made about the roles and responsibilities of the international bid committee, the Minister, the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs and the two Northwest Territories appointees to the Arctic Winter Games International Committee. I don't want to get into the specifics of these as they have received enough press already.

However, I do wish to again congratulate the Inuvik and regional Arctic Winter Games Bid Committee for their outstanding efforts. They based their bid on the criteria which was given to them and on the understanding that a split games format could be acceptable. In doing so, they presented a very professional package.

What I do wish to address, and hopefully have answered, are the many questions raised by the Inuvik and regional bid committee and Members of this House about the integrity of the selection process. It appears that there is no clear process between the sponsoring governments and the international committee to determine the evolution of the games.

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

The Deputy Speaker Brian Lewis

The Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? Mr. Koe, proceed.

Fred Koe Inuvik

Mahsi. This seems strange because this government appoints two representatives to the international committee, and is also the largest contributor of money to the Arctic Winter Games. Therefore, they should have had considerable influence on the decisions made by the committee.

Mr. Speaker, I would like this government to review the bid process, determine what happened and how and why it happened. The intent here is to ensure that it does not happen again. I would also like this government to review sports, in general. The intent here is to review the sporting activities and the management of these to which this government contributes financial and human resources. I would also like this government to consider providing more support to community and regional games and to indigenous games.

Mr. Speaker, I will be following up on this issue during question period today. And, Mr. Speaker, I also wait for the day when I can attend the first Arctic Winter Games north of the Arctic Circle. Mahsi.

---Applause

The Deputy Speaker Brian Lewis

Thank you, Mr. Koe. Mr. Kakfwi.

Passage Of The Sahtu Final Agreement
Item 3: Members' Statements

November 15th, 1994

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Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, the road to getting a land claim agreement for the Sahtu region has been a very long and difficult one. The Sahtu region, as we all know, is part of the Dene/Metis comprehensive claim agreement which was initialled in April of 1990, but later rejected at an assembly in July 1990. The federal government then agreed to negotiate a regional claims settlement based on the April 1990 agreement.

The regional agreement with the Sahtu Dene and Metis was initialled in March 1993, and the ratification vote was held July 1993. This agreement received overwhelming support from the people of the Sahtu region. Eighty-five per cent of the Dene and 99 per cent of the Metis in the Sahtu region voted in favour of this agreement. On June 23, 1994, the settlement legislation for this agreement was passed in the Parliament of Canada.

Under this agreement, approximately 2,000 beneficiaries in the Sahtu settlement area will receive title to 41,437 square kilometres -- approximately 16,000 square miles -- of land, of which 1,813 square kilometres -- approximately 700 square miles -- will include the title to subsurface resources.

The Sahtu Dene and Metis will receive financial payments of $75 million -- in 1990 dollars -- over a 15-year period, as well as a share of the resource royalties which the federal government receives each year from the Mackenzie Valley. The Sahtu Dene and Metis will receive 7.5 per cent of the first $2 million of resource royalties collected by government in each year and 1.5 per cent of any additional resource royalties in that year.

The agreement confirms the rights of the Sahtu Dene and Metis to hunt and fish throughout the settlement area, and it also gives them the exclusive right to trap throughout the settlement area.

The agreement guarantees the participation of the Sahtu Dene and Metis in the management of renewable resources within the settlement area, land use planning, environment impact assessment and review within the Mackenzie Valley and the regulation of land and water use within the settlement area in the Mackenzie Valley if a larger land and water board is established.

The federal government and the Government of the Northwest Territories have also committed...

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude.

Passage Of The Sahtu Final Agreement
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 55

The Deputy Speaker Brian Lewis

The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Proceed, Mr. Kakfwi.

Passage Of The Sahtu Final Agreement
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 55

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

The Sahtu Dene and Metis participation will be through membership on public government boards and through consultation. The federal government and the Government of the Northwest Territories have also committed in the agreement to enter into negotiations with the Sahtu Dene and Metis in order to reach agreements on self-government.

Mr. Speaker, as the MLA for the Sahtu, I would like to acknowledge the people who made this land claim agreement possible. In particular, Mr. George Cleary, then president of the Sahtu Tribal Council and now president of the Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated; and Mr. Norman Yakelaya, the chief negotiator, who were very active in leading the Sahtu region during the negotiation of this agreement. I also wish to acknowledge the role played by Mr. George Barnaby, the vice-president of the Sahtu Tribal Council.

I would also like to acknowledge Mr. Dan Yakelaya, who negotiated the implementation plan for the Sahtu final agreement on behalf of the Sahtu Tribal Council. Finally, I would like to thank the following chiefs and presidents of the Dene bands and Metis locals in the Sahtu region who, over a period of years, put in effort and contributed to the conclusions of these claims negotiations: Chief Raymond Taniton, Chief Everett Kakfwi, Chief Isidore Manuel, Chief Freddie Doctor, Chief Richard Kochon; and, Rocky Norwegian, Roy Doolittle and Wilfred McNeely, Jr. who are the presidents of the Metis locals within the Sahtu region.

In conclusion, I wish to publicly wish all my constituents the very best as they begin the implementation of the Sahtu land claim agreement. Thank you.

---Applause

Passage Of The Sahtu Final Agreement
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 55

The Deputy Speaker Brian Lewis

Thank you, Mr. Kakfwi. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Ballantyne.

Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today is a historic day for the Treaty 8 Dene First Nations. Today at 3:00 pm in the Ndilo gym, the First Nations will be initialling a protocol agreement of treaty entitlement with the federal government. This initialling will be followed by the initialling of the terms of reference for the transfer of programs and services from Canada to the Treaty 8 Dene First Nations. The Treaty 8 Dene will also initial a process for negotiating a co-existent agreement on traditional lands.

At this time, I would like to extend my congratulations to the people who are very responsible for this important day: Chief Jonas Sangris, Chief Darryl Beaulieu, Chief Antoine Michel, Chief Jerry Paulette, Chief Don Balsillie, and Chief Magloire Paulette; the band councils and the elders; the people of the Treaty 8 First Nations; and, also, a special note of recognition to Mr. Francois Paulette and Mr. Felix Lockhart who are the negotiators.

Mr. Speaker, this is the end of a long, difficult journey and a beginning of a new, difficult journey and I think the people of the Treaty 8 First Nations deserve a lot of credit for their hard work and their patience for coming this far. I think I can speak on behalf of all Members of this Assembly in wishing them the best as they negotiate their treaty with the federal government. Thank you.

Some Hon. Members

Hear, hear.

---Applause

The Deputy Speaker Brian Lewis

Thank you, Mr. Ballantyne. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Ng.

Cambridge Bay Nunavut Capital Campaign
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 56

Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'm happy to announce today that the hamlet of Cambridge Bay has officially launched their Nunavut capital campaign.

---Applause

Like the old saying goes, better late than never. His Worship, Mayor Larry Ahnavigak is in Rankin Inlet currently and on his way to Iqaluit to promote the community of Cambridge Bay. As with all promotions, there is also propaganda that goes along with it. So, the Cambridge Bay Capital Committee has commissioned these T-shirts, which I present to all Members on their behalf...

Cambridge Bay Nunavut Capital Campaign
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Some Hon. Members

Shame, shame.

Cambridge Bay Nunavut Capital Campaign
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 56

Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Mr. Speaker, you will notice that these ones are in colour, and not black and white, like some of the others.

Cambridge Bay Nunavut Capital Campaign
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 56

Some Hon. Members

Ohh.

---Laughter

Cambridge Bay Nunavut Capital Campaign
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 56

Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

I'd like to ask my honourable colleagues from Keewatin Central and from Iqaluit to possibly model these when they go back to their home constituency.

---Laughter

We also have caps and brochures that the Cambridge Bay Capital Committee has commissioned to go along with the T-shirts. But, unfortunately, they are not available at this time and I suspect it is because the caps are being made in the Keewatin and the brochures are being printed in Iqaluit.

---Laughter

But, all joking aside, Mr. Speaker, I would like to wish all communities luck in their efforts to become the capital of Nunavut. Regardless of which community it is, I think it's important that the best, most effective and most efficient delivery of government services to the residents of Nunavut is what counts. Thank you, very much.