Roles

In the Legislative Assembly

Elsewhere

Historical Information Silas Arngna'naaq is no longer a member of the Legislative Assembly.

Last in the Legislative Assembly September 1995, as MLA for Kivallivik

Lost his last election, in 1995, with 11% of the vote.

Statements in the House

Question 351-12(7): Strategy Re Monitoring Air Quality March 28th, 1995

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'll have to take that question as notice. Thank you.

Question 351-12(7): Strategy Re Monitoring Air Quality March 28th, 1995

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. At the present time, the only air quality monitoring that has taken place has been here in the city of Yellowknife. The amount of equipment that is required to monitor air quality has not allowed it to expand much further than addressing the concerns raised by residents of the city in terms of the quality of air surrounding Yellowknife. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 347-12(7): Status Of Trans-boundary Water Agreements March 28th, 1995

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The responsibility of water quality monitoring still lies with the three federal departments: Indian and Northern Affairs, Environment Canada; and, Fisheries and Oceans. I believe they are still monitoring the quality of water within our jurisdiction in the Northwest Territories. I have not received a recent update about the quality of water in the Northwest Territories, but I will find out and get back to the Member. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 347-12(7): Status Of Trans-boundary Water Agreements March 28th, 1995

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Mackenzie River Basin master agreement, which I believe the Member is referring to, came to my office as an agreement which would be signed by all jurisdictions affected by the Mackenzie River. I had passed on the agreement to some of the Members who had raised concerns about it, and asked for their opinion. I received positive remarks on the agreement. I also wrote to the chief of the Dene national office, Mr. Erasmus. And on August 11, 1994, I signed the master agreement and passed it on back to the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs.

I haven't heard anything more recently from the Minister, but I'm willing to find out exactly where that stands. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Member's Statement Paying Tribute To Susan Aglukark March 28th, 1995

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise in the House today to bring greetings from the Northwest Territories winner of two Juno awards, Susan Aglukark.

---Applause

Susan asked that I convey to the House her comments on winning two Juno awards on March 26th. She stated to me, "I am honoured to have received such distinguished awards, not only for myself but for the people of the Northwest Territories."

Mr. Speaker, Susan is only 28 years old. Although she lived throughout the Northwest Territories for the first 12 years of her life as her father is a Pentecostal minister, her family eventually settled in Arviat, Northwest Territories. After completing high school, Susan was employed as an interpreter with DIAND and then as an executive assistant for the Inuit Tapirisat of Canada.

It has been only three short years since Susan Aglukark gave her first, live public performance at a festival in her home town of Arviat. Since then, Susan has recorded several tapes and CDs. She has appeared on a half a dozen prime time television shows and she has starred in music videos. Canada's media has highlighted her fast-rising career. Susan has had the opportunity to entertain Her Royal Highness, Queen Elizabeth, on two occasions, as well as Prime Ministers Mulroney and Chretien.

This week, Susan added two Juno awards to her ever-growing award collection which includes the first ever aboriginal achievement award in the arts and entertainment field, and the Canadian Country Music Association's Vista Rising Star award.

Susan Aglukark is known both for the quality of her talent and the wholesome values and lifestyle she exhibits. Her example is in sharp contrast to those of other entertainers. The youth of the Northwest Territories need this kind of role model to look up to and to emulate.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, I would like to wish Susan every future success and to note that her success as an NWT Inuit youth should be celebrated by all of us. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Question 342-12(7): Monitoring Fish War Between Canada And Spain March 27th, 1995

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I believe that that would be a question suitable for the Minister

of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. But I could speculate that the share that the Northwest Territories has had of the quota in the Atlantic Ocean, has been very minimal. In fact, it has been reduced in the past year.

However, in discussions that I have had with the Minister of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, he has indicated to me that there is room for fishermen in the Northwest Territories. And that we should be able to get involved in the areas that the Department of Fisheries and Oceans has been managing on the Atlantic Ocean, especially in the waters around Baffin and Greenland.

In the meeting I attended with department officials, I had asked the Minister whether a workshop with the department of fisheries officials and the Nunavut wildlife management board -- who are probably a large part of our stakeholders in the Northwest Territories -- should be getting together in the near future. That was left with the Nunavut wildlife management board -- who, at the time, were just getting started with the staff -- to try to come up with a time line whereby they would be able to get together with the officials of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 342-12(7): Monitoring Fish War Between Canada And Spain March 27th, 1995

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I do not believe so but I would be willing to confirm that. Thank you.

Question 342-12(7): Monitoring Fish War Between Canada And Spain March 27th, 1995

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, we are keeping a close watch on the negotiations between Canada and Spain. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 331-12(7): Tabling Of Fire Management Suppression Report March 27th, 1995

Mr. Speaker, I had indicated earlier that it was not my intent to table the report. But I will take a look at it again. I am not, at this time, able to commit to say that I will table it in the House. Thank you.

Question 331-12(7): Tabling Of Fire Management Suppression Report March 27th, 1995

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think that the staff we have in the forest fire management section of the department are very well qualified and have been working in this area for quite some time. However, with the hiring of the consultants, I believe it was the intent of the department to have an independent group who would be able to consult with all residents and all those who would be involved in forest fires in the Northwest Territories; to get their views and then be able to take the recommendations and be able to come up with a forest fire management strategy. But I think that the department has gone further by taking a look at the report and consulting directly with communities at the same time, to try to come up with a strategy that will not cost the government the fiscal or financial resources that we used last year. I think that the report will be made very good use of by the forest fire centre in Fort Smith. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.