Nancy Karetak-Lindell

[Genie Awards, February 8th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, since 1980 the Genie Awards have celebrated and honoured outstanding achievements of the Canadian film industry, an industry which has become an important means by which Canadians share their stories with one another and the world.

This year saw a major first for the Genies and our film industry. The film Atanarjuat , The Fast Runner, won an amazing five Genie Awards including best picture, best director and best screenplay. It is interesting to note that Atanarjuat is the first full length feature film by Inuit shot entirely in Inuktitut and in Igloolik, Nunavut. I commend everyone in the small community for their tremendous effort.

I take this moment to congratulate everyone involved in the making of Atanarjuat and all of the winners and nominees in the 22nd annual Genie Awards. We should all celebrate the achievements of Canadian talent.

[Airline Security, January 30th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, we all understand the requirement for increased security at airports as a result of the tragedy of September 11. We also understand that these measures will be paid through an air security charge. However, it is very difficult to ask northern travellers to bear the cost of services not available in all but one of the Arctic airports in my riding.

How will the Minister of Finance protect northerners from these added costs? Is he prepared to reconsider the charges in the north?

[Infrastructure Program, December 7th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, the need for municipal infrastructure improvements in the new territory is great. On behalf of my constituents, I would like to ask the Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Treasury Board if he would give us an update on the negotiations between the federal government and the territorial government of Nunavut on the Canada infrastructure program?

[Nunavut Awards, December 7th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, this week was a proud week for Nunavut. On Wednesday, Ashley Dean from Rankin Inlet was awarded the Prince of Wales Community Leader Scholarship for all her volunteer work, from coaching children in figure skating and soccer to organizing special events for elders and combating racism.

On Thursday, Moses Aliyak, also of Rankin Inlet, was awarded the Medal of Bravery by the Governor General for his efforts in confronting a polar bear which attacked his family camp in 1999. Showing great courage, Moses Aliyak distracted the polar bear so that his grandson could run to safety. As a result of his brave action, Moses was severely injured. Hattie Amitnak, who was mauled to death in that same incident, was also awarded the Medal of Bravery posthumously in an earlier ceremony.

I ask my colleagues to join with me in honouring these outstanding citizens.

[Aboriginal Affairs, December 6th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, tomorrow in Ottawa there will be a meeting between the federal, provincial and territorial ministers responsible for aboriginal affairs and the national aboriginal leaders. I understand that aboriginal youth is one of the items on the agenda.

Could the Secretary of State for Children and Youth please tell the House what are some of the key issues facing aboriginal youth and how the ministers and leaders are responding to them?

[Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, December 6th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, December marks a great milestone in Inuit society as the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami is celebrating its 30th anniversary.

Formerly known as Inuit Tapirisat of Canada, this national organization has been instrumental in the successful signing of three land claim settlements. Also, negotiations for the Labrador Inuit land claim settlement are nearly complete.

Raising the profile of Inuit in the Canadian consciousness and the creation of Nunavut are only a glimpse of the results of the hard work of ITK.

On Sunday night at a gala celebration of the 30th anniversary of ITC, a man of vision, Tagak Curley, was honoured for having the inspiration and the courage to create the Inuit Tapirisat of Canada. Looking back over the achievements by Inuit over the last 30 years, Tagak Curley can be proud of what he started and what has directly occurred from his vision 30 years ago.

On behalf of all Inuit, I thank Tagak Curley for all his hard work and for being such a visionary.

Mutna.

[Disabled Persons Day, December 3rd, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, today is the International Day of Disabled Persons, a day on which we pay tribute to the many contributions Canadians with disabilities and their families have made to our communities.

The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring that all Canadians, including persons with disabilities, can achieve their full potential and participate in Canada's economic and social activities.

This year is the 20th anniversary of the 1981 United Nations sponsored International Year of Disabled Persons. In that year the House of Commons special parliamentary committee on the disabled and the handicapped released the now landmark report, Obstacles .

I take this opportunity to thank those parliamentarians who continue to play an important role in advancing disability issues through their work on the subcommittee on the status of persons with disabilities.

[James Gladstone, October 25th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, this morning at 11.30 there was a ceremony to pay tribute to the Hon. James Gladstone, the first aboriginal appointed to the Senate.

The ceremony included the unveiling of a bust of Senator Gladstone. Fred Gladstone, the senator's son, was in attendance as were Senators Dan Hays, Joyce Fairbairn and Thelma Chalifoux.

James Gladstone was born in 1887 near Mountain Mill, Alberta, and was a member of the Blood Band. He was appointed to the Senate in 1958 to represent Lethbridge, Alberta, and served for 13 years. As senator he co-chaired the joint committee on Indian affairs and fought for improvements for native people. His biography, The Gentle Persuader , was published in 1986.

I call on the House to join me today in paying tribute to the lifelong dedication and achievements of Senator Gladstone.

[Natural Resources, October 22nd, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, I understand the Minister of Natural Resources led a trade mission of energy companies to Mexico last week. Why did the minister choose Mexico, why now and what was accomplished?

[Arctic Winter Games, October 15th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, this coming Friday the city of Iqaluit will celebrate the grand opening of the Arctic winter games complex. The building of this important complex in Iqaluit is a direct result of co-operation between the city of Iqaluit and the territorial and federal government.

A very significant aspect of the completion of this important complex is the contribution of volunteers. The invaluable donation of material and hard work from volunteers made all the difference.

The Arctic winter games will take place in Iqaluit in March 2002. This new complex will be at the heart of many of the activities at that time. However the arena and the youth centre will be at the heart of Iqaluit for years to come.

I look forward to the grand opening on Friday and touring the facility. I am proud of the contribution of the Government of Canada and extend congratulations to all involved.