Mr. Speaker, there is an individual that has taken liberty to have statements printed espousing their own views on the policy they allege we are imposing on them. I do not think there is any validity to the statements and I am not concerned myself to respond. I think there is both academic and scientific merit to giving recognition in respect to traditional knowledge. It is supported by scientists and academics alike that there is value in traditional knowledge and that respect must be given to those and that the cultural context in which spiritual and cultural values are held must be taken into account when we deliver programs and services. That is the view we take. We reject any notion that values have no place in the scientific community. Even on environmental assessment programs, scientific evidence as well as the values of the people involved are requested and are demanded to be taken into account. This is the way that we operate at this time. Thank you.
Debates of Feb. 28th, 1997
Topics
Further Return To Question 417-13(4): Accusations Made Regarding Traditional Knowledge
Question 417-13(4): Accusations Made Regarding Traditional Knowledge
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 963
Further Return To Question 417-13(4): Accusations Made Regarding Traditional Knowledge
Question 417-13(4): Accusations Made Regarding Traditional Knowledge
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 963
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.
Supplementary To Question 417-13(4): Accusations Made Regarding Traditional Knowledge
Question 417-13(4): Accusations Made Regarding Traditional Knowledge
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 963
David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will there be any reprimand for the individual for going public and making her views known and slandering an aboriginal view of a cultural group which consists of over 50 percent of our population. Will anything be done to reprimand that individual?
Supplementary To Question 417-13(4): Accusations Made Regarding Traditional Knowledge
Question 417-13(4): Accusations Made Regarding Traditional Knowledge
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 963
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Kakfwi.
Further Return To Question 417-13(4): Accusations Made Regarding Traditional Knowledge
Question 417-13(4): Accusations Made Regarding Traditional Knowledge
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 964
Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu
Mr. Speaker, the views printed by the individual or individuals will be dealt with by the academic and scientific community in the appropriate manner and they will be, as you would say, dispatched in a very appropriate way. That will be done by their alleged colleagues. Whether or not that particular employee acted in an appropriate way is not one that I wish to comment on. I leave these types of management issues to the deputy minister of the department, who is responsible for dealing with employees according to our policies and practices. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 417-13(4): Accusations Made Regarding Traditional Knowledge
Question 417-13(4): Accusations Made Regarding Traditional Knowledge
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 964
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Krutko.
Supplementary To Question 417-13(4): Accusations Made Regarding Traditional Knowledge
Question 417-13(4): Accusations Made Regarding Traditional Knowledge
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 964
David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In regards to the overall question about traditional knowledge and the exact cost of compiling that information versus scientific knowledge, I would like to ask the Minister if he would consider ensuring there is adequate funding and resources for traditional knowledge research to be compiled by aboriginal organizations or cultural organizations? Thank you.
Supplementary To Question 417-13(4): Accusations Made Regarding Traditional Knowledge
Question 417-13(4): Accusations Made Regarding Traditional Knowledge
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 964
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Kakfwi.
Further Return To Question 417-13(4): Accusations Made Regarding Traditional Knowledge
Question 417-13(4): Accusations Made Regarding Traditional Knowledge
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 964
Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have contracted a consultant who is working with my office to provide me with some advice on how I can act in a way that is consistent with the position we have taken, which is that traditional knowledge is and should be an integral part of the way this government provides programs and services in a wide range of areas. I will be actively encouraging the development of an approach that will further enhance the use of traditional knowledge and the recognition of it by this government through the way we deal with employees with programs and services and the way that decisions are made by government right across the departments. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 417-13(4): Accusations Made Regarding Traditional Knowledge
Question 417-13(4): Accusations Made Regarding Traditional Knowledge
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 964
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. O'Brien.
Question 418-13(4): Future Work In Nunavut Conference
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 964
Kevin O'Brien Kivallivik
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Deputy Premier. Following the meeting in Cambridge Bay, I understand there is a major conference being held in Iqaluit next week entitled: Future Work in Nunavut. It is my understanding that the Deputy Premier may be attending this conference. What involvement will the GNWT have in this conference? Thank you.
Question 418-13(4): Future Work In Nunavut Conference
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 964
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
The Deputy Premier, Mr. Arlooktoo.
Return To Question 418-13(4): Future Work In Nunavut Conference
Question 418-13(4): Future Work In Nunavut Conference
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 964
Goo Arlooktoo Baffin South
Mr. Speaker, it is true that I had made plans and I do have tickets to go to Iqaluit on Monday to attend this important conference. The Assembly still has to consider and approve the Housing Corporation budget which I must attend to. Depending on what happens in the next couple of days, I may very well have to stay here for consideration of the budget next week. However, the government has been intimately involved in the preparation of the conference. I understand we have contributed about $100,000 towards it. The staff of Mr. Dent's department have been assisting wherever they can.
Return To Question 418-13(4): Future Work In Nunavut Conference
Question 418-13(4): Future Work In Nunavut Conference
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 964
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. O'Brien, supplementary.
Supplementary To Question 418-13(4): Future Work In Nunavut Conference
Question 418-13(4): Future Work In Nunavut Conference
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 964
Kevin O'Brien Kivallivik
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, if it is not possible for the Deputy Premier to attend this important conference, would it be possible for another Minister to attend in his place? Thank you.
Supplementary To Question 418-13(4): Future Work In Nunavut Conference
Question 418-13(4): Future Work In Nunavut Conference
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 964
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Arlooktoo.
Further Return To Question 418-13(4): Future Work In Nunavut Conference
Question 418-13(4): Future Work In Nunavut Conference
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 964
Goo Arlooktoo Baffin South
Mr. Speaker, I would have to check with the Premier. We do have a back-up plan that we are working on, in that much of the conference will be organized through up-links with satellites using video-conferencing. We are trying to make arrangements to attend through video-conferencing here in Yellowknife. That is the plan we are working on.
Further Return To Question 418-13(4): Future Work In Nunavut Conference
Question 418-13(4): Future Work In Nunavut Conference
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 964
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Picco.
Question 419-13(4): Participation In Future Of Work Conference
Item 6: Oral Questions
February 27th, 1997
Page 964
Edward Picco Iqaluit
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, following up on the same line of questioning as Mr. O'Brien on the Future of Work conference being held in Iqaluit. Because we have not finished our budget deliberations, I am not able to attend either, although I had indicated to the NIC that I would be attending. I would like to follow-up on the tele-conferencing and the video-conferencing. Can Mr. Dent inform this House if Members of this Assembly, like myself and other Members of the Nunavut Caucus who wanted to be at the meeting, will be able to participate through tele-conferencing and video up-links? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 419-13(4): Participation In Future Of Work Conference
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 964
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. The Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent.
Return To Question 419-13(4): Participation In Future Of Work Conference
Question 419-13(4): Participation In Future Of Work Conference
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 964
Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I believe that Mr. Arlooktoo indicated in his answer to Mr. O'Brien that he had been investigating the possibility of participating in the conference through a video link-up. I am
advised at this time, we have not yet managed to confirm that a video link-up will be available. If it is, I can assure the Members they will be advised and given every opportunity to participate as that develops. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Return To Question 419-13(4): Participation In Future Of Work Conference
Question 419-13(4): Participation In Future Of Work Conference
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 965
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Picco.
Supplementary To Question 419-13(4): Participation In Future Of Work Conference
Question 419-13(4): Participation In Future Of Work Conference
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 965
Edward Picco Iqaluit
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the conference being held in Iqaluit on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of next week is subject around the future of work and that includes job-sharing and flexible time and so on. What departmental officials from Mr. Dent's or from the government would be attending the conference in Iqaluit?
Supplementary To Question 419-13(4): Participation In Future Of Work Conference
Question 419-13(4): Participation In Future Of Work Conference
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 965
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Dent.
Further Return To Question 419-13(4): Participation In Future Of Work Conference
Question 419-13(4): Participation In Future Of Work Conference
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 965
Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we will have the people who are involved in the college and adult educators in the region attending the conference. Mr. Mark Cleveland, the assistant deputy minister for Culture and Careers, had intended to attend the conference but yesterday received notification that the federal Department of Human Resources Development wished to continue some negotiations that we have ongoing with them and he will have to travel to Edmonton on Monday, so cannot attend. I do know that we see this as an important conference. The department has been, as Mr. Arlooktoo said, fairly extensively involved in the committee organizing the conference and I can say with some certainty that there will be a large presence from Education, Culture and Employment and the college at the conference next week. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.