Mark Evaloarjuk

Roles

In the Legislative Assembly

Elsewhere

Historical Information Mark Evaloarjuk is no longer a member of the Legislative Assembly.

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

Won his last election, in 1995, with 32% of the vote.

Statements in the House

Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters October 21st, 1997

(Translation) I do not know what language I will be speaking. I was in Montreal for a while, so maybe I will speak French. Mr. Chairman. I just want to briefly say, maybe it will be less than two minutes, as I did not prepare for my statements. First, I would like to comment on the Chairman's (break in recording) I understand when we look back at the past and the work that we have done gives us ideas and understanding of what we have accomplished from the past and today. We will always go back to the past in order to move forward.

For instance, how we were brought up and raised. Sometimes I do not want to be involved when I see young people when they do not want to understand or learn their culture. I can understand their confusion. When I was running for election, I felt strongly, and I still feel strongly about suicide in the north. I would like to see a solution to this problem, but I cannot say what kind of solution we can come up with. We have to look for solutions. We also have to see what the problems are concerning suicide. We can guess what the problems are, but I am not sure what they are for suicide. Maybe we can say they are abused as children. But I do not think that those are the only reasons for suicide. There must be a reason for people to commit suicide. I believe part of the problem is, murder of oneself. I believe also there are a lot of abortions. I also consider abortion murder because they also have human rights. I consider this committing murder.

I could say that my constituents do not want to be dragged and run by the Members of the Legislative Assembly. We know that communities can decide for themselves. They can try it at first and then if they need help, they can come to the Members of the Legislative Assembly. I believe this is how self-government works. Some communities would like to have control and too we are trying to prepare them for when the Government of the Northwest Territories will transfer community empowerment to some of the first communities, which are Pond Inlet and Cape Dorset. I believe they have accepted community empowerment. I also support that as Members of the Legislative Assembly we have seen and have been involved in supporting people who want self-government, I respect these people and I do not want to see any communities that would like to proceed be delayed by the government.

There are land claims agreements and other agreements that have been prepared. These should not be delayed. These have been hard challenges, and I do not have anything to complain about because we all have different ways. I think we all have faults and weaknesses, and we cannot satisfy everybody, although we try our best to do the work we have to do. This is all I have to say. I just wanted to say a short statement. Thank you. (End translation)

Question 16-13(5): Response From First Air October 21st, 1997

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister of Transportation. I have written a letter to the president of First Air as well as the chairman of the board. The Minister has also written to the same people I have mentioned on my behalf to support me. I have not received an answer yet to my letter. My question is whether they should be able to fly to Hall Beach, Pond Inlet and Arctic Bay? I have seen the letter that the Minister has given us his support, and I was very pleased with this, but I have not been given an answer to my question. Has the Minister himself been given an answer from First Air about the letter I am referring to? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)

Member's Statement 16-13(5): Appreciation To Colleagues October 21st, 1997

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Maybe all the Members have their receivers on now. I just wanted to give my thanks to my fellow colleagues, Members and especially to Mr. Speaker. I will try and make my statement short. I do not have anything written with me, I apologize for it.

I wanted to thank all my fellow Members for wishing me good luck while I was in the hospital in Montreal. I appreciated their sincere wishes for my recovery. I also would like to thank my constituents in my region. They supported me fully while I was in the hospital. I really, truly appreciate their good wishes they sent me while I was in the hospital. I also wish to thank the Premier, for he was able to accompany me in visiting my constituency.

I could not make it to my other communities, and I apologize for not being able to make it there because sometimes some things unforeseeable happen. In my case I could not make it to these two communities, due to the fact that I had to go down to Montreal for hospitalization. I just wanted to express my regrets to my constituents, and I also appreciate the Members for having supported me. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)

Question 549-13(4): Assistance To Ice-bound Constituents June 3rd, 1997

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question will be directed to the Safety and Public Services or Renewable Resources. In my constituency of Pond Inlet, there are young people who are going to school. They have two adults and one non-aboriginal individual. The ice broke off into the sea when they were doing training. I just wondered whether the Minister responsible for Safety is going to be

assisting those people that are out in an ice flow. Thank you. (Translation ends)

Question 538-13(4): Northern Companies In Good Standing June 3rd, 1997

(Translation) I am aware of some contractors that have not paid their bills for things such as accommodation and rental of heavy equipment vehicles in the communities. Does the department take this into consideration and will the Minister commit to reviewing this particular concern which has been brought to my attention? (Translation ends)

Question 538-13(4): Northern Companies In Good Standing June 3rd, 1997

(Translation) I would be interested to find out how "in good standing" is defined. Mr. Speaker, does the government only review the company's credit history as it relates to government organizations or do they look beyond this and review a company's entire history of repaying bills? (Translation ends)

Question 538-13(4): Northern Companies In Good Standing June 3rd, 1997

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question will be directed to the Minister of Public Works and Services. Can the Minister confirm that the GNWT only offers contracts to companies which are in good standing? (Translation ends)

Question 498-13(4): Edo Vacancy In Hall Beach May 29th, 1997

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask a question to the Minister of Economic Development. In Hall Beach, the community that I represent, I am sorry you were not able to hear me. I would like to ask the Minister of Economic Development in the community of Hall Beach there was an economic development officer and he has just taken on another job and left the community. The community misses him and is asking whether they are going to be getting another economic development officer. That is my question to the Minister. (Translation ends)

Member's Statement 355-13(4): Numbers Of Members In The Nunavut Legislature May 29th, 1997

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It has been stated by people who were against gender parity for the new Legislature in Nunavut that having dual legislators would cost us more to maintain the numbers. The recommendation in Footprints 2 is to have been 20 and 22 legislators in Nunavut. In order to save some dollars, I would suggest that we lessen those numbers to 16 or 18 members.

For example, if we take away four of the positions, we can save approximately one million dollars and reallocate that funding toward the communities needs. It is difficult to predict the future and if the economy remains the way it is. It is important that we first start off with fewer legislators for the new government. It seems backward for us to start off with a higher number and perhaps start cutting back on those positions in the future, dependant on our economy. When I first was elected to this House in 1975, there were only 16 legislators for all of the Northwest Territories. Over the years that number has risen and we now have 24 representatives of the electoral boundaries. I believe we have to start off with fewer numbers in the House and expand from there, basing it on our population growth. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)

-- Applause

Member's Statement 351-13(4): Tribute To Isaac Irngaut May 28th, 1997

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I do not wish to bear sad news, but it is a universal human thing that we feel sadness and compassion for others who have lost loved ones.

I would like to inform my colleagues that last week on May 19th, on my way to Yellowknife from Igloolik, there was a suicide. The man was Isaac Irngaut, who was 76 years old. I have known this man since my childhood, living in the same community with him. However, I do not know what his reasons were for his suicide. He was a very good man, a sober man all his life. Whenever he could, he would attend church and in the winter season, he would help the less fortunate, widowed women and the church by keeping their pathways clear of snow. He did this out of his own will and with no pay. Sometimes, though he would have difficulty walking as he had pain in his legs.

He will be greatly missed. He has many relatives, including his wife, his many daughters, sons and grandchildren. They will be in our prayers as we ask for their comfort and serenity. Mr. Speaker, I want to say to our younger generation that this should not be viewed as an acceptable option in life. In the old days among Inuit tradition, elders would commit suicide upon feeling or accepting that they could no longer contribute to their society and saw themselves as a burden to their people. I believe that Mr. Irngaut saw himself in that way. However, he still had much to give and I feel that this perception was not a true reflection of reality.

Mr. Speaker, we also feel compassion for Ludy Pudluk and his loved ones who have recently lost their mother. We will remember them in our prayers. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)