Steven Nitah

Roles

In the Legislative Assembly

Elsewhere

Historical Information Steven Nitah is no longer a member of the Legislative Assembly.

Last in the Legislative Assembly November 2003, as MLA for Tu Nedhe

Lost his last election, in 2003, with 18% of the vote.

Statements in the House

Decentralization Of GNWT Positions March 12th, 2003

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this being our 23rd day, we have covered quite a bit in the last five weeks. Mr. Speaker, through harmonization and other initiatives that we discussed in this House, some harsh words were said and I would like to apologize to anybody that I offended in this House, especially the Ministers on the other side who we have to grill.

Mr. Speaker, harmonization took a lot out of us. I used that opportunity, Mr. Speaker, to point out the inequities of regional centres, the capital and our communities. Option is something we don't have in the communities. We passed a budget that is worth almost $1 billion. Somehow we don't seem to address the real issues in our communities. We skirt around and fund the same organizations over and over again and they come up with ideas that they don't know how to implement. I believe the only way we are ever going to make a big bang for the dollars we expend in this territory is by putting people in the communities to work, people who understand our programs and services and how we deliver them. We cannot do that by telling them through mail or e-mail or sending them a message. We have to make an impact.

I challenge this government to make that impact. They know how to do it, they just don't seem to want to do it. There doesn't seem to be the political will. We have a transition document and now we are putting the next government on hold. We are challenging the next government. We still have a few months left in this government. I don't want to put everything in a transition document, Mr. Speaker, and have somebody else do it for us. I think if we are going to put everything in a transition document, we do it and tell how we are going to do it, why we are doing it.

The people I represent in the 28 non-tax-based communities do not want to be welfare cases. They do not want to go begging to the government and saying I want a few dollars for this month, so I can eat, so I can feed my family, so I can clothe myself, so I can pay my bills. No, they want to get educated. They want to have the respect and dignity that every human being in this territory deserves. But we don't do that. We would rather prop up government in regional centres and administer a social services delivery system in our smaller communities. That is not acceptable anymore, Mr. Speaker. It can't go on that way. My people don't want it. My constituents don't want it. The people in the North don't want it anymore. So I challenge this government, before the next government to come up with ways. Tell them when you are going to do it and how you are going to do it. Don't leave it to the next government.

Today is our last day here. In June, we will be back. I would like to see some direction by then, Mr. Speaker. The people of the NWT deserve and want to see the direction from this government, some leadership, Mr. Speaker. Mahsi cho.

---Applause

Committee Motion 78-14(6): To Delete $378,000 From Bill 11: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 2003-2003, Under Maca, Operations Expenditures, Regional Operations, Defeated March 12th, 2003

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I normally vote with my colleagues on these kinds of motions, but I am going to have to take the side of the community this time. I am from a small community and understand the importance of a community and the people who live there. I have been to Tuktoyaktuk. I have been told by community members about the erosion problem. I know that sometimes a one-time investment of a large amount has a bigger bang than a small investment over a period of time. I am concerned, however, that we may not be looking at that erosion problem in its entirety. I think we should take a lesson from Holland in this area where they've utilized their engineering skills in protecting the country. A dyke is something the community should consider for a long-term solution.

The other option is relocating the community. I know Tuktoyaktuk does not want to relocate. So I am going to have to vote against this motion and allow the community to address their emergency situation with the budget that's allocated in the supplementary. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Committee Motion 77-14(6): To Accept Recommendation No. 65 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report, Carried March 12th, 2003

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I move that this committee recommends that the Minister responsible for official languages report to the Legislative Assembly within one year of the acceptance of this report; and

Further that this report address:

  • • the status and progress of the implementation of the recommendations;
  • • the status of the Canada-NWT cooperation agreement; and
  • • business plans and budgetary provisions for 2004-2005 and beyond.

Mahsi cho, thank you very much, Madam Chair.

Committee Motion 76-14(6): To Accept Recommendation No. 64 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report, Carried March 12th, 2003

Mahsi cho, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I move that this committee recommends that the government introduce a bill to amend the Official Languages Act during the term of the current Assembly. Mahsi cho, Madam Chair.

Committee Motion 75-14(6): To Accept Recommendation No. 63 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report, Carried March 12th, 2003

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, to ensure that the recommendations and implementation/costing schedule proposed in this report are advanced, we further recommend the following: Madam Chair, I move that this committee recommends that the Premier appoint a Minister responsible for official languages within 60 days of the acceptance of this report by the Legislative Assembly. Mahsi cho, Madam Chair.

Committee Motion 74-14(6): To Accept Recommendation No. 62 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report, Carried March 12th, 2003

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I move that this committee recommends that the Minister responsible for official languages assist aboriginal language communities to incorporate aboriginal language fonts on specialized software applications and address other technical issues, as needed, to support the use of aboriginal languages in a wide range of technical applications. Mahsi cho, Madam Chair.

Committee Motion 73-14(6): To Accept Recommendation No. 61 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report, Carried March 12th, 2003

Mahsi cho, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I move that this committee recommends that the Minister responsible for official languages ensure current aboriginal language fonts are available to Government of the Northwest Territories staff and encourage their use. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Committee Motion 72-14(6): To Accept Recommendation No. 60 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report, Carried March 12th, 2003

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I move that this committee recommends that the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment and other agencies support media and technology training for aboriginal language speakers through scholarships and other incentives. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Committee Motion 71-14(6): To Accept Recommendation No. 59 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report, Carried March 12th, 2003

Mahsi cho, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, to increase the use of official languages in media and technology, we recommend the following: Madam Chair, I move that this committee recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories expand its support for, and utilization of, aboriginal and French language media, along with support for other communication initiatives, including the use of the Internet, digital technology and emerging media technologies. Mahsi cho, Madam Chair.

Committee Motion 61-14(6): To Accept Recommendation No. 49 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report, Carried March 11th, 2003

Thank you, Madam Chair. I just wanted to make one correction. I'd just like to read the last paragraph of the motion. It reads, "further that this plan include partnerships with language communities and the need to link language development in the school and at home." Mr. Krutko had used the word "aboriginal" communities, and I just wanted to ensure that the language communities includes other official languages other than aboriginal. Thank you, Madam Chair.