Nancy Karetak-Lindell

[Arctic Winter Games, March 19th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, this Sunday marked the beginning of the Arctic winter games in Yellowknife. More than 1,500 athletes and staff participated for one week of competitions, cultural exchanges and shared new experiences.

Since 1970 these games are held every two years and include participants from all regions of the circumpolar world. This year there were contingents from Russia, Greenland and Alaska joining the NWT, Yukon and Northern Alberta to compete in 18 different sports ranging from hockey to traditional Arctic sports. A number of cultural presentations from the different regions were also present.

These were the last games for the NWT as one territory. In the next games to be held in the year 2000, Nunavut athletes will represent a new territory for the first time and will have full participation in the event. This will give Nunavut residents the opportunity to express their distinct culture and share their experiences with other participants. The Arctic winter games provide—

[Winter Olympics, February 19th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate all of Canada's athletes at the winter Olympics in Nagano. I want to congratulate the women's hockey team for winning a silver medal for Canada.

Our men's hockey team will be playing for gold. Fifty years ago, the RCAF Flyers won the gold medal for Canada through sheer determination and perseverance. It has not been since 1952 that Canada has won the gold medal in our nation's favourite sport. Canadians from coast to coast to coast and from every territory and province will wait to learn of our great victory.

Canada's Olympians are a source of inspiration and pride for all Canadians, especially our youth. We can all take ownership in Canada's success at the winter Olympics knowing that it is our success that gives us even more reason to celebrate being Canadian.

[Aboriginal Affairs, February 12th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, last month the federal government took an historic step in announcing Gathering Strength. This important initiative marks a new era in developing a renewed partnership with aboriginal people.

Inuit, Metis and First Nations have expressed support for Gathering Strength, particularly for the statement of reconciliation. Aboriginal Canadians who experienced atrocities at residential schools have waited far too long to hear that the government is deeply sorry.

The apology is not lip service. A $350 million healing initiative that will help those affected by residential schools is proof that the government is truly changing the way it does business with aboriginal people.

I applaud the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and the entire Liberal government for their sincere apology to aboriginal Canadians. I look forward to seeing firsthand the rebuilding and renewing of Canada's relationship with aboriginal people.

[Nunavut, February 3rd, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I rise to inform the House that on January 12, 13 and 14, I participated in the Nunavut leaders summit with the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development. This meeting was held in Iqaluit, the future capital of Nunavut.

All parties involved in the Nunavut political accord left the meeting confident that a great deal of work was accomplished.

Tough decisions were made, including the number of seats in the legislative assembly, the number of education and health boards, the creation of a single trial court and staffing of headquarter positions for the new Nunavut government.

I congratulate the participants of that summit, particularly the interim commissioner and his staff and the Nunavut implementation commission for a productive and positive meeting.

[Baffin Regional Youth Council, December 10th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, last Thursday I was privileged to attend the Baffin Regional Youth Council meeting in Broughton Island. I met with youth representatives from each Baffin Island community to discuss several issues affecting young people in Nunavut.

These future leaders are great ambassadors for the north. Their determination, hard work and leadership skills are proof of their abilities as role models for Baffin youth.

I commend their work and look forward to working closely with them toward the common goal of creating our new territory.

[Royal Commission On Aboriginal Peoples, November 21st, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, today marks the first anniversary of the release of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples report. The report recommended several actions the government should take in addressing the concerns of many aboriginal communities.

I am pleased that the federal government will respond to this report in the new year and equally pleased to be on the committee that will look at the government's response.

There is no doubt that the work of the commission will influence aboriginal policy and I thank all those who participated in preparing this report for their valuable work.

[Nunavut, November 19th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, the implementation of the Nunavut government will take place on April 1, 1999, and as part of the land claim agreement the public service is to be staffed by a 50% Inuit workforce.

Can the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development tell the House what steps her department is taking to ensure that Inuit are full participants in the public service of Nunavut?

[National Parks, October 29th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Secretary of State for Parks.

In June 1996 Tuktut Nogait national park was created. Recent concerns have surfaced surrounding the already agreed to borders of the park.

What is the Secretary of State for Parks doing to ensure that the borders of Tuktut Nogait national park are protected?

[Inuit And Aboriginal Art, October 27th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, following my statement in the House last Wednesday the parliamentary gift shop has agreed to take its fakelore from its shelves. This is an important step toward promoting authentic Inuit and aboriginal art in this great country of ours.

Much work still remains in promoting authentic Inuit and aboriginal art. Regulations must be in place that will ensure fakelore is properly labelled as imitation or fake.

My office will be undertaking this project with the help of artists from across Canada in coming months.

[Inuit Art, October 22nd, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, the popularity of Inuit art has brought great opportunities to many northern artists. Unfortunately, Inuit artists are not the only ones profiting from these opportunities.

An industry producing imitation Inuit carvings and prints, commonly referred to as fakelore, is making it harder and harder for legitimate artists to sell their work. This clearly must come to an end.

This fakelore is so common that a group of Inuit tourists from my riding were shocked to see that the parliamentary gift shop here in Centre Block is selling it.

I am pleased to inform the House that following our conversation, Mr. Speaker, we will be exploring options to promote legitimate Inuit art in the parliamentary gift shop.