Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about the Minister of Northern Affairs, the Honourable Daniel Vandal’s recent visit to Iqaluit.
On April 12 and 13 I had the opportunity to meet with Minister Vandal as he travelled to Iqaluit to discuss Budget 2022 investments in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, during his Iqaluit visit, Minister Vandal and I toured one of the recently constructed Government of Nunavut social housing units. The unit was an accessible home made to accommodate an individual with mobility issues, such as an Elder. That unit is one of over 100 newly constructed homes in Nunavut, built… read more.
Mr. Speaker,
When I am invited to communities, I try to take every opportunity possible to engage in conversation with people I meet along the way. This is how I learn about the differences in each community.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge our colleagues who work hard for the communities I visited this fall – MLA for Kinngait and Kimmirut, Minister David Joanasie; MLAs for Rankin Inlet Minister Lorne Kusugak and Alexander Sammurtok; and MLA for Baker Lake Craig Simailak.
Mr. Speaker, when in communities, I do my best to meet with hamlet mayors and councilors, with educators, with… read more.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about the Council of the Federation Literacy Award.
Mr. Speaker, this award celebrates the valuable contributions made by Canadians in the field of literacy. In Nunavut, this award recognizes individuals who support and inspire others to use Inuktut and develop literacy skills through oral, written, or artistic expression.
On September 8, I was honoured to announce the Council of the Federation Literacy Award went to Jeela Palluq-Cloutier.
This award recognizes Jeela’s tireless work towards revitalizing and strengthening Inuktut languages for many years… read more.
Mr. Speaker,
I am excited to share that Nunavut is the chair of the Northern Premiers’ Forum for 2024.
The forum was established in 2003. The chair is assumed on a rotational basis between Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut.
I thank the former Premier of the Northwest Territories Caroline Cochrane for her role as chairperson in 2023. I welcome the new premier, R.J. Simpson to the table.
The forum is an excellent opportunity to work together to ensure that our unique and shared northern needs can be brought forward effectively. A united voice is a powerful tool to express the… read more.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to inform my colleagues about the Arctic Circle Forum, which I was honoured attended in person in Nuuk, Greenland.
Mr. Speaker, Yukon Premier Sandy Silver, Northwest Territories Premier Caroline Cochrane and I were given the opportunity to speak on strengthening security and sovereignty in Canada’s North.
During the conference we raised awareness of the need for investments in critical infrastructure to ensure sustainable energy sources, reliable transportation and telecommunications can serve a dual purpose of fulfilling defence and community needs.
Mr.… read more.
Mr. Speaker,
In a few short weeks, the Government of Nunavut will mark a significant milestone – 25 years.
I am proud of our territory. Each year, since the formation of our public government, we have grown stronger. If we think of our government as an iglu, we have been assembling the snow blocks prepared by previous generations, laying the foundation, and building up.
Our territory is run by a consensus government guided by Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit. The choice to govern our territory in this form was ours. It is our way of honouring the knowledge of our Elders through the values they… read more.
Mr. Speaker, on February 8th I was honoured to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.
The longstanding relationship between our regions is founded on common values, culture and heritage, Northern and Arctic geography, and a shared maritime history.
We also face similar challenges as governments, Mr. Speaker. This renewed partnership will help us to jointly advance innovation, enhance responsible economic and social development, and promote diversity and inclusiveness to create and maintain robust and vibrant communities.
Mr. Speaker, as… read more.
Mr. Speaker, I rise to mark International Women’s Day, and to recognize strong Inuit women who serve as models for all the young girls and women of Nunavut.
In Ottawa, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon is the first Inuk and first Indigenous woman to serve as the Governor General of Canada.
We also have Lori Idlout as our member of Parliament, representing the voices of Nunavummiut in Ottawa.
Here at home, the Honourable Eva Aariak is the Commissioner of Nunavut and a former Premier. First elected to the Legislative Assembly in 2008, she has been a champion for women in our… read more.
Mr. Speaker, it is always my pleasure to promote and congratulate Nunavummiut who demonstrate excellence, innovation, entrepreneurship, and creativity. It is my great honour today, Mr. Speaker, to congratulate Nunavut’s finalists and winners of the prestigious Arctic Inspiration Prize.
Mr. Speaker, the Arctic Inspiration Prize provides much needed attention and funding to projects that help improve our communities and the lives of our people, expand our knowledge, and inspire change in the fields of education, health, culture, environmental stewardship, and the economy.
I attended this year… read more.
Mr. Speaker, On April 1 we welcomed Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon. This was her first official visit to Nunavut as the first Indigenous and first Inuk Governor General of Canada.
It was an especially joyous moment as we celebrated the 25th anniversary of our territory.
Mr. Speaker, it was truly an honour to receive Her Excellency and His Excellency Whit Fraser here at the Legislative Assembly. I was joined by Commissioner Eva Aariak, Iqaluit Members of the Legislative Assembly George Hickes, Janet Brewster and Adam Lightstone, Mayor Solomon Awa, the Canadian Rangers, Major… read more.