(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am pleased to be able to make comments on education as well as culture and employment programs. I have a few comments to make. I am also pleased we are dealing with languages of the Inuit and Indian languages, aboriginal languages under the official languages, recognition of official languages for French and English. We can all work together, even though we all have different languages to deal with. This is the responsibility of the Minister under the culture and heritage programs, it is to
protect the heritage, as well as the languages of our people. People who are unilingual in Nunavut probably believe there is only one language to deal with in their area.
When we went to the communities, the people represented by Evaloarjuk, Barnabas, and my other colleagues who also have to deal with unilingual languages in Inuktitut, do not wish to lose the use of their language. We value our language, also we from Natilikmiot, value our language even though we understand each other. Mr. Chairman, we understand each other quite well, but the people who are mostly staying in smaller communities, do not move around to other communities and do not understand other dialects as much. We can appreciate the fact there are other dialects and we can understand the other dialects perfectly.
I would like other people to know about this as well. We do not wish to lose our unique dialect in Natilikmiot. Even in the region of Kitikmeot, we also have different dialects to deal with. Pelly Bay, Gjoa Haven, and Taloyoak are called Natilikmiot regions, they are a small knit group. For instance, Pelly Bay and Gjoa Haven are only 120 miles apart. Taloyoak and Gjoa Haven are 90 miles apart. There is still a slight difference in dialects. I understand the dialect of Natilikmiot and I can speak the dialect, but I am not speaking the dialect at this time. If I spoke their dialect, it would be slightly different from what I am saying right now. I grew up in Repulse Bay. As well as the Amittuq area, they have a slight difference in Aivilik dialect too. I am not trying to combat any other regions in Nunavut. I am just trying to show there is a difference in those communities, what we are dealing with right now. We do not wish to lose our own dialect and we would like to have their dialect taught in Inuinnaqtun dialect.
No wonder in the Baffin region they also want to have their particular dialect to be taught to their next generation. I would like people to know about that and also my colleagues in the Legislative Assembly. My friends' languages are all different, even though people might think we have the same language. There are slight differences in each one of the regions. We would like to preserve the differentiation and the difference in our language for our future generations. Maybe some day in the future it might become similar. Even the clothing is quite different. In Baffin, Keewatin, and Kitikmeot they all have different clothing styles. They also appreciate their own particular style of clothing. For that reason I would like other people to know about that. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (Translation ends)