Manitok Thompson

Roles

In the Legislative Assembly

Elsewhere

Historical Information Manitok Thompson is no longer a member of the Legislative Assembly.

Last in the Legislative Assembly March 1999, as MLA for Aivilik

Won her last election, in 1995, with 46% of the vote.

Statements in the House

Bill 33: An Act To Amend The Legislative Assembly And Executive Council Act, No. 3 June 8th, 1995

Mr. Speaker, I am too new to this to make a comment. When the NIC had their meetings in the towns, consulting with people on what type of government we want, I felt that the Inuit people in the communities were not properly trained or properly informed or educated to make decisions on what type of government they wanted. In our Inuit society, we have never had party politics. We have lived in harmony, electing our own leaders by the majority of the public. That's the style we have used for thousands of years.

I understand exactly what Mr. Dent and Mr. Ballantyne have said. I know about the structures of the different governments, but my Inuk mind will always say we are not educated enough yet to make decisions on what style of government we want. I wouldn't want to inherit the style of government that was imposed on us or given to us by people who have not lived in our shoes before.

I was very upset at the NIC meeting at being asked without being informed, without being given pamphlets, without being educated on the styles of governments around the world; just to be asked what type of government do you guys want. I understand there has to be team work, but we have done team work in our Inuit communities very well. I guess I'm saying that before we start introducing these bills, from my riding I would like my communities to be educated first as to what types of government there are in the country, what types of government work around the world, before we are given a chance to say anything about what types of styles we need for our future.

Maybe it's good to have party politics, coming from a non-aboriginal point of view, but it just didn't sink into my Inuit mind and I know it didn't sink in my father's mind; no one tried to explain to him that team work in this style of government is a drama played before the public.

I was very upset that my people are not educated enough to be asked what style of government we want yet. Before we do that, we don't feel comfortable making a decision.

I understand where the non-aboriginal people are coming from, and I understand that's the best way for you guys to do it. But coming from a small community, coming from an Inuit perspective, I cannot comprehend this yet. I know the people in the communities cannot comprehend that yet because we have not had any other type of governing body in our communities. Thank you for your time.

---Applause

Invitation To Ministers To Visit Aivilik June 8th, 1995

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Since I have been elected for the Aivilik riding, I have learned how much the needs and concerns of the residents of Aivilik have been neglected in the past. Unfortunately, smaller communities have a difficult time making sure their voices are heard in Yellowknife. Because of this, they often do not receive a lot of attention and, as a result, they feel neglected by the government.

This is why the consultation process is so important to the people of my riding. They need to know that they matter; that the issues that are important to them will be discussed and that any problems they may have will be dealt with soon. To ensure that my constituents' concerns are being addressed, I am extending an open invitation to all Ministers of this government to take some time this summer and travel with me to meet and speak with the citizens of Aivilik.

(Translation) Mr. Speaker, I just wanted to make this statement because Aivilik citizens feel neglected. I will try to be a voice for them, so their concerns are dealt with as soon as possible and that we give more consideration for the people of Aivilik. They felt that they were ignored.

So for this summer, I extend an open invitation to all Ministers of this government and welcome them to travel with me this summer to meet with the communities and the citizens of these communities, and listen to their views. Their views need to be heard. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Southampton Island Caribou Harvest June 7th, 1995

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I want to talk about the caribou harvesting project in Coral Harbour. The caribou population on Southampton Island has been increasing quite rapidly over the last decade. Since 1967, when 48 caribou were reintroduced to the island, the population has grown to over 13,000 in 1991 and to more than 32,000 in 1995.

A report prepared in 1975 suggested that the island's carrying capacity is 40,000 caribou.

A caribou harvest took place this spring, in an attempt to reduce the size of the herd, while at the same time providing employment to the residents of Coral Harbour. A portable facility was erected near the herd where the skinning, cutting and packaging of 2,300 caribou took place. Over 150,000 pounds of meat was then transported by skidoo to Coral Harbour, flown to Yellowknife and then trucked south.

I would like to commend the citizens of Coral Harbour for their hard work in helping to make this harvest a success. They were involved in almost every aspect of the process: hunting, skinning, cutting, packaging and transporting the meat. The harvest employed over 25 people from the community. I would also like to thank the territorial departments of Economic Development and Tourism; Education, Culture and Employment; Health and Social Services; and, Renewable Resources, as well as the federal departments of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Agriculture for their cooperation and excellent coordination of the harvest. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Committee Motion 50-12(7): Territorial Plebiscite On Legal Drinking Age, Withdrawn June 6th, 1995

Mr. Chairman. Sorry. I would also like to recognize Sandy Kusugak from the Keewatin Divisional Board of Education.

--- Applause

Committee Motion 50-12(7): Territorial Plebiscite On Legal Drinking Age, Withdrawn June 6th, 1995

I would like to recognize Fraser Hope from the Keewatin Divisional Board of Education.

--- Applause

Question 537-12(7): Additional Nurse For Chesterfield Inlet June 6th, 1995

Mr. Speaker, as you know, I'm a new Member and I'm anxious to get this problem solved. Will the Minister be able to give me an answer before the end of this session for this particular case? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 537-12(7): Additional Nurse For Chesterfield Inlet June 6th, 1995

Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Minister of Health and Social Services. I know the Minister of Health is aware of the correspondence regarding the support for the one nurse in Chesterfield Inlet. I believe the Minister knows that the one nurse is on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Will the Minister be able to do anything to give more support to this overworked nurse? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 519-12(7): Overcrowding Of Tusarvik School In Repulse Bay June 6th, 1995

Mr. Speaker, I have a supplementary question for the Minister. My constituents have asked that the planned expansion be advanced to the 1996-97 fiscal year. Is the Minister prepared to take action on this request?

Question 519-12(7): Overcrowding Of Tusarvik School In Repulse Bay June 6th, 1995

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Education. Today I spoke about the extreme overcrowding in the school of Repulse Bay, which is going to be much worse next year. Is the Minister aware of the severe overcrowding in Tusarvik School of Repulse Bay?

Congratulating Repulse Bay Grade 10 Graduates And Urgent Requirement For School Expansion June 6th, 1995

(Translation) I was a little bit confused. Please accept my apologies.

As I was stating, in Repulse Bay there is a shortage of space to ensure adequate education. While we're proud of the work that has been done to implement higher grades, the space in the school is still very limited so they're using their library as a classroom and a computer lab. Next year with the addition of grade 11, both grades 10 and 11 will have to share the same library space. While that is a problem, they're expecting 22 new enrolments of kindergarten students in 1995.

Mr. Speaker, the people of Repulse Bay are requesting an expansion of the school, and that a new capital plan be forwarded from the fiscal year 1998-99 to the fiscal year 1996-97. It is my hope that the government will take action on this matter so that education will be adequately presented. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.