Colleagues, before we begin, I'd like to recognize Senator Dennis Patterson, former government leader, Minister, and Member of the 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th Assembly from Frobisher Bay, or Iqaluit. Welcome.
Mr. Speaker, through strategic infrastructure investments, this government is committed to supporting the expansion and diversification of our economy, improving the quality of life for residents, and lowering the cost of living in the territory.
We have secured about $1.5 billion dollars in funding under various costsharing agreements with the Government of Canada. This funding will advance transformative strategic initiatives like the Mackenzie Valley Highway, the Slave Geological Province Corridor, and the Taltson Hydro Expansion projects, and will also support over a hundred other public infrastructure projects that is intended to help close the infrastructure gap between the North and southern Canada.
Mr. Speaker, through the Investing in Canada's Infrastructure Program, up to $590 million in federal funding will be provided for Indigenous, community, and territorial government projects across the Northwest Territories. More than $340 million of this funding has already been allocated and the rest has been earmarked for future projects. Our agreement for this program goes until 2033. Over $180 million is costshared under Transport Canada’s National Trade Corridors Fund for the Mackenzie Valley Highway and the Slave Geological Province Corridor. There is also more than $240 million under Infrastructure's Canada’s Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund and the Small Communities Fund, for which our agreements currently end in 2028.
Mr. Speaker, these are just the highlights of the federal programs and critical projects the department is advancing for the benefit of Northwest Territories residents, with the continued support from the Government of Canada.
I am often asked why projects are not advancing faster, why construction does not start immediately after funding is announced, and why it appears that we are not spending the money we have for these projects. Mr. Speaker, there are many steps between filling out a funding application and getting shovels in the ground. These steps take time and are often completed behind the scenes, but they are essential to any successful project.
First, we conduct critical engagement and consultation and collect environmental, socioeconomic, and technical research. This includes gathering input from those who may be impacted by these projects.
Then we begin the regulatory and permitting phase. This process is also dictated by law, often includes environmental assessments, followed by acquiring licenses, permits, and authorizations. This can take several years to complete.
Mr. Speaker, the regulatory and permitting phases inform project construction planning and final design. It is only after these preconstruction activities have been completed that a contractor can be procured and the project can advance to construction.
Mr. Speaker, the GNWT's negotiated contracts policy, which supports added benefits for local and Indigenous businesses, rarely aligns with some of the federal procurement policy. Decisions to negotiate sole source contracts with local or Indigenous businesses often add additional layers of federal approvals and further delays to a project's schedule. Overall, Mr. Speaker, for a project like a new road or a new transmission line, it could take several years to complete the necessary engagement, consultation, environmental and engineering work to apply for permits; several years to acquire the necessary permits; and then, several years to undertake construction. However, these are all necessary project steps that must be undertaken.
Typically, the bulk of a project’s funding is provided for the construction phase. The frontend work takes substantial time to complete and uses less of the overall project budget. For projects that are fully funded, it can appear as though projects are progressing slowly and funds are not being spent. This is not the reality. Mr. Speaker, our government is committed to putting necessary behindthescenes work to advance our projects for the benefit of the residents and communities. We will continue to work with our federal partners to bring economic opportunities to our people and reduce the cost of living to businesses and residents. Quyananni, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Ministers' statements. Minister responsible for Health and Social Services.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to announce a new focus on patient experience in the health and social services system. The Office of Client Experience offers a centralized point of contact for individuals to provide feedback, make a complaint, or ask any questions they have regarding the health and social services system. Staff are in the gallery and I will introduce them at the appropriate time.
The Office of Client Experience will provide support for all residents and their families when accessing health and social services, including system's navigation, client and family advocacy, and connecting clients with additional supports and resources. The office also supports system improvement and responsiveness, using client experience and feedback to inform changes needed to meet the goal of providing equitable and culturallysafe care and services.
Mr. Speaker, as part of the Office of Client Experience, I am pleased to announce the launch of the Indigenous Patient Advocate Program. Following direction from Regular Members, the Department of Health and Social Services collaborated with the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority and the Indigenous Advisory Body to develop these positions as part of a new initiative and comprehensive approach to improving client experience. The Indigenous patient advocates will help Indigenous residents, their families and guests by providing advocacy and access to cultural, spiritual, emotional, and language supports. The advocates are located in NWT's acute care facilities which are Stanton Territorial Hospital, Inuvik Regional Hospital, the Hay River Health Centre, and the Fort Smith Health Centre.
To access services, individuals can call the Office of Client Experience toll free or email them. The details are available online or from your health centre. They can also ask to speak with an Indigenous patient advocate at any of the acute care facilities where they have been admitted.
Mr. Speaker, to ensure the Indigenous patient advocates are successful in supporting and advocating for Indigenous residents, they have been given a mandate for change. This is an essential element of the program to ensure the advocates can address and resolve systemic barriers or challenges. The Indigenous patient advocates are members of their regional senior management teams, ensuring Indigenous representation and participation at those decisionmaking tables.
The advocates make up a territorial team that reports to an Indigenous director, with a shared reporting relationship with the chief operating officer, or COO, for their region. This approach will provide support and guidance to the advocates, as well as a peer network to help counteract systemic racism experienced by Indigenous employees as they work to break down barriers and support residents to navigate the complex health and social services system.
Mr. Speaker, system change takes time but the implementation of the Office of Client Experience and the Indigenous Patient Advocate Program adds direct supports now that contribute to our goal of providing the best care possible for patients and clients, while also informing longer term systemlevel changes for a better future for all residents. I look forward to reporting progress on this new and exciting initiative again in the future. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Ministers' statements. Minister responsible for MACA.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the athletes, coaches, managers, mission staff who represented Team Northwest Territories, better known as Team NT, at the 2023 Arctic Winter Games recently held in the Municipality of Wood Buffalo, Alberta. I also want to acknowledge those who are representing Team NT at the upcoming 2023 Canada Winter Games in Prince Edward Island, scheduled from February 18th to March 5th.
It was exciting to finally see the return of the Arctic Winter Games after five years. Team NT had 347 participants strong, comprised of a diverse group of athletes who competed at 19 different sports. The Arctic Winter Games provide an opportunity for our coaches, officials, and athletes to engage with, and compete against, other circumpolar countries. Not only are the games an athletic competition, they are also the opportunity to promote social exchange and learn of cultural values from other countries and regions.
I would like to thank the Team NT's leaders: The chef de mission Mr. Bill Othmer and assistant chefs de mission Mr. Damon Crossman and Ms. Rita Mercredi, and the rest of the mission staff.
In addition to Team NT, the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs was pleased to support the Northwest Territories Youth Ambassadors Program at the Arctic Winter Games. This program offers a wonderful volunteer experience for youth at major territorial, national, and international events. Participants work to develop life and job skills and to build the confidence necessary to deal with complex life challenges.
There were nine youth volunteering with the 2023 Arctic Winter Games host society who were between the ages of 16 to 19 in seven different communities across the Northwest Territories. Those youth are the role models and leaders of tomorrow, and I commend them for taking the opportunity to learn and grow by participating in this exciting volunteer experience.
In the coming days, Team NT will again be represented by 155 athletes and coaches competing in 11 sports at the 2023 Canada Winter Games. The Canada Games showcases the highest level of national competition for Canadian athletes and provides our national highperformance athletes a venue to compete with hopes of earning a spot on Team Canada for the Olympics or other international events.
I would like to wish the very best to our leaders for the Canada Winter Games: The chef de mission Ms. Rita Mercredi and assistant chef de mission Mr. Damon Crossman, as they and Team NT make their way to the games. I also want to recognize the many volunteers who are responsible for supporting Team NT. This includes Sport North Federation and territorial sport organizations volunteers who were responsible for selecting and managing teams. Volunteers are a significant and an important part of sport and recreation programs that contribute to a healthier Northwest Territories. The Government of the Northwest Territories is extremely proud to support our teams at both the Arctic and Canada Winter Games through financial assistance and a range of other programs that support development of coaches and athletes at the local, regional, territorial, and national levels.
For those of you still celebrating the success of the 2023 Arctic Winter Games, I sincerely hope you all enjoyed this truly wonderful experience. For those who are about to attend the Canada Winter Games, have fun, work hard, make us proud, as you always do. Go Team NT. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Merci, Monsieur le President. It's Valentine's Day and I want to send some love to our colleagues on the other side.
On September 2nd, 2022, Cabinet significantly reduced the size of the land withdrawal for the reindeer grazing reserve. It’s hard to tell how big the reductions are as there are no publicly available maps or calculations. But it has to be at least 75 percent. The reindeer grazing reserve and land withdrawal were first established in 1933 and then significantly expanded in 1952. I acknowledge that GNWT did consult the Inuvialuit and Gwich'in while reviewing the land withdrawal. I'm not against reviewing all of this but there should be a fair and transparent process as well.
The map I have seen of this significant land withdrawal reduction also shows how the Inuvialuit land selections, and possibly Gwich'in land selections, were constrained by this reindeer land withdrawal that was in place. It appears they weren't allowed to make land selections in there. Presumably the land withdrawal served some useful purpose back then. I am still trying to figure out what the actual reasons were for this land withdrawal reduction. When I did an internet search, one of the first items to pop up was a 2014 Canadian Press story about how the Conservative federal government planned to reduce the land withdrawal to facilitate oil and gas development. That was according to documents obtained under access to information.
It looks like the Conservatives were not able to make these changes before they fell out of power in 2015 and devolution took place. It appears that GNWT has now finished that work begun by the Conservatives in reducing the size of the land withdrawal. Mr. Speaker, I will table that news story later today.
Perhaps the other reason for the reduction was the Inuvik Wind Turbine Project where GNWT did not want a little matter like a land withdrawal for conservation purposes to delay the project in any way. Rather than consult and make appropriate changes, GNWT continues to deny that that land withdrawal and designation actually means anything. Why should our government be constrained by plans or conservation areas anyway? I have lots of questions on why and how the land withdrawal for the reindeer grazing reserve was significantly reduced in size by this Cabinet. I am sure the Minister of Lands is looking forward to those questions later today. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Frame Lake. Order. Members' statements. Member for Kam Lake.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, a decade ago we knew the demand and competition for skilled workers would intensify with an aging workforce and people leaving the labour market in large numbers. Well, we're living in the future, Mr. Speaker, and it's safe to say our demand exceeds our expectation.
Labour shortage is something I hear about every month. Northerners and northern industries have big dreams and big opportunities but can't turn dreams into reality without skilled workers. Mr. Speaker, don't fall off your chair but I need to applaud Housing NWT as leaders in recognizing they have a role to play in workforce development.
Today, the GNWT is still the dominant northern employer in a Yellowknifecentric work environment and the dominant industrydriver outside of mining. This means that opportunities for developing skilled labour in many NWT communities rest squarely with opportunities afforded directly or indirectly through the GNWT. Housing NWT recognized this and built apprenticeship opportunities into their capital contracts requiring industry to offer local apprenticeship opportunities on each project. This practice needs to be adopted by all GNWT departments and this government needs to take youth development further.
ECE's SNAP, or the Schools North Apprenticeship Program, provides the perfect landscape for this. SNAP pairs high school students with employers so high school students can get valuable work skills and explore trades careers. Kids earn while they learn using GNWT wage subsidies and get a high school graduation credit for every 40 hours worked.
But Mr. Speaker, of 24 SNAP students, only two are located outside of Yellowknife and of 14 SNAP apprentices, again only two are located outside Yellowknife. Today, the South Slave, Deh Cho, and Sahtu have no SNAP students and the Deh Cho, Sahtu, and Beaufort Delta have no SNAP apprentices. The Beaufort Delta has 861 youth between 15 and 24, the Deh Cho there are 404, and in the Sahtu there are 371. Mr. Speaker, surely one from each of these regions is eager for the opportunities afforded by SNAP.
The GNWT needs to recognize itself as a northern employer and take its own place in youth skilled labour development. Local entrepreneurs aren't the only game in town, Mr. Speaker, and unfortunately in many of our small remote communities, there are no other options for SNAP students wanting to learn a trade other than GNWT learning opportunities.
Mr. Speaker, every NWT community should employ a SNAP student, and I will have questions for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment at the appropriate time.
Thank you, Member for Kam Lake. Members' statements. Member for Hay River South.
Mr. Speaker, spring breakup is just around the corner so let us talk harbour remediation. Mr. Speaker, once again, and in the off chance this government has forgotten, the community of Hay River has the largest inland port in western Canada. It is home to a Canadian coast guard base, a federal department of fisheries and oceans office; our own marine transportation service; and, what could be a viable commercial fishing industry.
The community of Hay River is a major and significant component of our northern transportation corridor as well. It is where truck and rail freight from the south converge to be loaded onto barge destined for isolated communities, 21 north warning radar sites, and mine sites.
Mr. Speaker, last spring the buildup of sediments at the mouth of the East Channel of the Hay River reached a critical level and most likely contributed some to the devastating flooding that occurred. Last spring, summer, and fall, we saw MTS, coast guard, and commercial fishing vessels grounded on sandbars which resulted in damaged equipment, community resupply interruptions, and added cost for community resupply by air.
Mr. Speaker, we are aware that harbour remediation takes money and planning. This government has been waiting on the feds to pay and for the past 17 years it has not happened, so it is on us to fix it. Last fall, a bathymetric survey of the harbour was completed. That work was followed up with a visit to Ottawa by the Minister of Infrastructure and other Cabinet Members, who I understand discussed the issue of harbour remediation and the matter of some financial support for it.
Mr. Speaker, I was expecting the meeting would have resulted in the remediation of the channel prior to spring. Now my concern is that this government will do nothing but lay blame on the federal government, a story line that is becoming old. Mr. Speaker, this issue is critical, not only for the continued viability of Hay River but for our remote communities, our local and northern businesses, our fishing industry, the resource sector, and the livelihood of our residents and businesses.
Mr. Speaker, I was hopeful that the Minister of Infrastructure would have fixed the problem with a winter dredging program. She still has time to make us proud and keep her name off the long list of prior Ministers who were unsuccessful in addressing this issue. Thank You.
Thank you, Member for Hay River South. Members' statements. Member for Great Slave.
Mr. Speaker, communities in the NWT have been chronically underfunded for years. Every community in the Northwest Territories has been challenged to manage basic services like water, infrastructure, waste management, and community development while also providing critical services like emergency response, community recreation and sport and cultural activities.
Mr. Speaker, the GNWT made a mandate commitment to reduce the funding gap by $5 million, and I acknowledge that the GNWT is on track to achieve this. However, Mr. Speaker $5 million does not go far enough. A 2019 report identified that Northwest Territories' community governments face a $40 million shortfall in funding needs. The additional $5 million in funding does not even make a dent in this shortfall. And as we all know, Mr. Speaker, the costs and expenses to run communities has only risen since 2019 following the pandemic. The price of fuel, transportation, power, food, materials, and supply chain costs have all gone up. Throw in aging, deteriorating infrastructure, and the increased carbon tax, and communities are stretched very thin trying to provide even basic services. Additionally, many communities face the challenge of preparing and responding to unprecedented climate change, including flooding. NWT communities are then further challenged to respond to homelessness, addictions, and lack of hope among youth and residents.
Increased funding directly to communities will build local economy and autonomy. Increased support direct to communities allows communities to focus on critical social, sport and recreation programs, and services for our children and youth, as well as pay a living wage to their workers. Why is the Minister of MACA not advocating for increased funding for NWT communities?
Communities have been forced to absorb bigger bills and respond to unprecedented issues yet the GNWT is not meeting communities where they need to be met. I hear from many communities that local jobs are being reduced, and programs and services minimized because communities must make cuts. Communities are the most efficient frontline responders to address the needs of NWT residents so why are we not empowering them to do so?
Thank you, Member for Great Slave. Members' statements. Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my passion for helping people instilled in me growing up led me to a rewarding career of nursing for almost 20 years and to where I am today as an MLA to stand up for my constituents and all their concerns. But, Mr. Speaker, today I'm extremely excited for the Indigenous patient advocates that will be located in our four regional hospitals to begin their important work.
Mr. Speaker, as a firsttime MLA in this Assembly, I heard concern after concern in regards to the healthcare of our constituents, communication barriers, travel mixups, escort concerns, feelings of lack of respect to my constituents as well as I heard from other constituents throughout the Northwest Territories about our healthcare system and how our Indigenous people were being treated in it. So when we began our 20212022 Budget deliberations, this was one ask I felt that was important to add to our list of asks as Regular MLAs, and with the support of my colleagues as they too have heard the same concerns, we were able to get these positions.
At first it was rejected in the deliberations. They felt that they did this in other areas, but we did not let this go as we knew how important this was to have a bridge from the healthcare system to the Indigenous residents of the Northwest Territories, someone who they could go to, someone who they could trust, someone that they know that will hear them and, like their title says, advocate for them. Mr. Speaker, I wish them all the best in their new positions, and I know our Indigenous residents will be served well by them. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes. Members' statements. Member for Thebacha.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in October 2021, Housing NWT released a document titled Strategy for Renewal outlining various actions that Housing NWT proposed to do with housing within the 19th Assembly. That document was light on details and includes no mention of seniors or assisting seniors with their housing needs, which is concerning given the rising number of seniors we have in the NWT.
Mr. Speaker, according to the 2021 census data, there are currently 2,455 seniors above the age of 70 living in the NWT. Further, according to the data from the Department of Health and Social Services, the number of seniors aged 70 and older will more than double within ten years. Considering these statistics, I am finding it troubling that the Housing NWT does not seem to be taking this data into account and they're not appropriately planning on how to address this for the future. Despite much talk about helping seniors to age in place with dignity and some programs created specifically for seniors, there has never been a dedicated seniors housing strategy created and carried out by Housing NWT.
Mr. Speaker, when it comes to addressing seniors housing, there are some essential aspects to consider. For example, the layout of the home must account for occupants with potential mobility issues or people dealing with various longterm illnesses. Another aspect that needs to be addressed are situations where a natural disaster either destroys or severely damages the existing home of a senior citizen, because right now the disaster assistance policy is only available to people when a natural disaster occurs where the damage is so widespread to a significant number of people or properties were affected.
In addition, Mr. Speaker, I think there needs to be a new way to calculate the rent for seniors regardless of income level, race, or which part of the NWT they live in. I believe there should be a flat rate, singlefixed cost system that determines the rent for seniors. There needs to be a greater fairness in equity afforded to our senior population when it comes to rental charges. Enacting these changes would reduce the amount of rental arrears incurred by seniors and would provide them with less financial stress and worry. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
Unanimous consent granted
In closing, Mr. Speaker, I raised this idea with the housing Minister several times this term and while she has expressed some interest of it, she's been unable or perhaps unwilling to commit to putting any action toward it. I hope the Minister reconsiders because I think that a seniors housing strategy would properly address the needs of seniors and would close some of the gaps that our existing programs do not address for our senior population. I will have questions for the housing Minister at the appropriate time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Thebacha. Members' statements. Member for Nunakput.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, since the invasion of Ukraine, the Arctic Council has paused all meetings. The Arctic Council is a forum meant to promote cooperation, coordination, and interaction among the Arctic states and Arctic Indigenous peoples. The work of the Arctic Council supports the Inuvialuit people in the Nunakput riding. The council works collaboratively with circumpolar partners on many important projects facing the far North limited to climate change research, monitoring and adaptation, ocean management, Arctic shipping, waste management, and regional planning and development. Currently, Russia is the chair of the council and all the work is put to a standstill.
At the time when Canada and the NWT need to be focused on developing, securing the northern part of the NWT, we're not holding discussions with the circumpolar partners. The GNWT, what are we doing? What are we doing about this, Mr. Speaker? What is the messaging that the GNWT has provided the federal government to support its work on the council? When the Arctic Council is going to get back to business? I will have questions for the Premier at the appropriate time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Nunakput. Members' statements. Member for Deh Cho.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I presented a motion in this House last June 2022 regarding improving healthcare in small communities. The motion was prompted by numerous complaints made verbally to me or was printed in the media in relation to the many cases of misdiagnosis of Indigenous patients in the small communities.
Mr. Speaker, this is where residents have been into the health centres numerous times for the same ailment, were not diagnosed, or were not diagnosed properly and sent home with Tylenol. And in most cases, it was the fourth or fifth time they were near, or they were in, their death bed. From what I'm hearing, this is still going on in our small health centres.
In part of the motion, I spoke about systemic racism in our health centres as many nurses come in from the south and don't understand Indigenous history of injustices done to them. Mr. Speaker, I would like to state that not all the nurses are in this boat as there are many that truly like to work with Indigenous people, especially Indigenous patients.
We can have all the reconciliation and sacred ceremonies with the health department staff, with the doctors, with the nurses, but that does not address the root problem of providing improved healthcare services. Mr. Speaker, at the very least the Department of Health and Social Services should provide oversight of the small community health centres to ensure quality of care. Mahsi.
Thank you, Member for Deh Cho. Members' statements. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiiledeh.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I do not know how many times that I am going to bring up the Housing NWT crisis but until I see some real progress, it's going to continue to be my top priority as long as I am a Member of this House.
Mr. Speaker, housing corporation was born in 1972 and in the last 51 years since its foundation, the agency has failed to meet the housing demands of our residents apart from them rebranding and exercising, in 2022, that gave Housing NWT, not much has changed beyond a slick new logo and familyfriendly name.
Mr. Speaker, the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation has spent a great deal of time thumping her desk about how great of a job she has done on the housing crisis here in the Northwest Territories. But let's face it, the GNWT and housing have no vision, no plan for solving our housing crisis and a half of century of failure is proof all we need. I find this even more frustrating when the Minister has few portfolios to occupy her attention and the boss is the Premier is a former housing Minister as well and who has often spoken her passion for the housing policies.
Mr. Speaker, I expect better from this government. Housing NWT has been applying for CIRNAC dollars from housing grants to address their own housing needs. That means needs of the people we serve. This means fixing up public housing units according to their schedule without any consultation or engagement with Indigenous governments, who gave Housing NWT the mandate to make these applications and spend the money on behalf of the Indigenous governments who are already struggling to meet their own housing crisis needs. It's unfair and out of touch to insist that these efforts are solving the housing crisis when they do little more than fix up the GNWT assets. Yes, it looks like a good photo opportunity to help the Minister's political fortunes, but it does not make a slick difference to our residents without adequate affordable housing.
As we need to do all we have to do is look to our sister territory Nunavut to see real progress on the housing file. Is it possible, Mr. Speaker, that without making real change, the NWT will continue to struggle in housing? Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the Minister of housing at the appropriate time. Thank you.
Thank you, Member for Tu NedheWiilideh. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife North.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last fall, the Department of Health and Social Services went out to consult on their extended health benefits policy. And on first glance, it seemed that the plan was to expand coverage and means test it, something I had no opposition to. But upon a closer reading, it was clear that that plan was to do that at the expense of the specified disease conditions in the schedule to that policy, Mr. Speaker; something I do oppose.
And, Mr. Speaker, so the department tabled their “what we heard” report and in that report, it was pretty clear that there was support for expanding coverage to provide all NWT residents with access to supplementary health and drug benefits but not by removing existing programs or reducing coverage for residents currently on the specified disease condition program.
Mr. Speaker, I have heard many stories from constituents who have these specific diseases who are worried about the increased cost this will place on them, who are worried about how it will affect coverage, who are worried about whether they will continue to be on the drugs. Mr. Speaker, this is not the stress we want to put on our residents. I support expanding, you know, drug coverage and if those liberals would get their act together, maybe we would see a pharmacare program and that would be the proper step. Mr. Speaker, I'll have questions for the Minister of health of whether we are actually going to listen to the feedback we got in the “what we heard” report or whether this is just going to be another whatwedidn'tlistento report. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Yellowknife North. Members' statements. Member for Nahendeh.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House to celebrate the life of Ms. Millie Kuliktana. It has almost been a month since Millie passed away. For the people that got to know her, she was a wife, mother, grandmother, friend, mentor, teacher, super volunteer, and sister who had a heart of gold. She was about serving others throughout her life. She was well known and respected across Canada, especially in Nunavut, NWT, Yukon and Alaska.
I like to share the first time I met her. I was hired as the recreation coordinator trainee for the hamlet of Coppermine, now known as Kugluktuk. It was the first week of December 1987. I was given the task of finding billets for ten outoftown volleyball teams. I remember thinking how I was going do this? Millie's future husband, Simon Kuliktana, told me do not worry, Millie's coming home today, and she would get everyone looked after. True to his word, Millie came in and within an hour they were all looked after. This was Millie. Give her a task, regardless of the difficulty, and she had it solved. Later that day, she and Simon invited me into their home, and I have always been welcome since.
I watched their family grow and witnessed their children become what she was very proud of and the topic of conversation a lot. Quentin, Wynter, Shawn and Tundra are her and Simon's legacy. You could see her glow every time they were around, and her grandchildren became her special treasures.
Mr. Speaker, I had the opportunity to be with some of the family when she passed away. I would like to thank her children for allowing me to be there with them; four of sisters, Edna, Helen, April and Jeannie; and two lifelong friends, Susie Evyagotailak and Kathy Okpik, at the hospital. It was such an honour. There are so many things I want to say but I am just saying she was an amazing person. She was always about family, this included extended family, and when we talked she always spoke so highly of them.
I was very fortunate to be added to the family in 1990. Her mom and father adopted me, and I was now her brother. It was like her sister Jeannie said, Millie watched you or welcomed you with open arms, making sure you knew you were part of her family and truly loved.
Throughout the years, I have had so many amazing conversations with her. It was always refreshing as she spoke her mind and with so much honesty but, most importantly, it was done with love. She cared and that was why she did what she did for others.
Mr. Speaker, at her celebration of life, her daughter Wynter did an amazing job with her eulogy and I would like it to be deemed as read here today.
To Simon, the children and grandchildren, may God bless you during this difficult time and may you share loving stories about her. She will be sadly missed, Mr. Speaker.
Welcome everyone, quana for coming. I know that Mom is so honoured to see you all here with our family today. We would especially like to thank Reverend Dixon and his wife Rosalind for coming to Kugluktuk. It was Mom's wish to have her service be provided in both English and Inuinnaqtun and our family made sure that her wish would be met. Quana Reverend Collis for welcoming them.
Another request of Mom was that she didn't want pressure put on me to do her eulogy, I looked at her sternly and said, "Do you really think I would let anyone else do it?" We laughed and she had no choice but to agree that I would provide her eulogy. All of you here have given both our Mom and our family support, prayers and hope all these years. In addition to your presence here, we have received so many expressions of condolence from the many people that our Mom has touched over the years. Their words and yours match those that echo in our hearts.
“Our Mom. Emotional, yet the rock. Tired, but keeps going. Worried, but full of hope. Impatient, yet patient. Overwhelmed, but never quits. Amazing, even when doubted. Wonderful, even in chaos. Life Changer, every single day" Rachel Martin
Millie Rose Qitupana, born on February 7, 1964 here in Coppermine, as the fifth child and fourth Daughter to Elva Wenek and Tommy Norberg.
A day before her birthday, at the age of 17, Mom would have her first son, Quentin. Although young, Mom knew that if she was to provide for her children, she would have to further her education. She gave Quentin to Nanny and Grandpa to raise him for the earlier part of his years when she would begin her lifelong career in education.
In 1978, both Mom and Dad would become best friends while pursuing their education in Fort Smith. They remained best friends until Dad says, in 1986, Mom would be the first girl he ever kissed sober, he knew then that she was to be his wife. Mom and Dad were married on December 26, 1987, by Reverend Dixon. I was born just shy of a month before their wedding and was given to them as a wedding gift. Dad welcomed Quentin as his own and together Mom and Dad later birthed our younger siblings, Shawn and Tundra.
Mom and Dad's pursuit to both advancing their careers and providing for their children was always a journey for our family. Mom and Dad uprooted us from Kugluktuk numerous times, living in Taloyoak, Iqaluit and Igloolik.
Mom and Dad showed us the true meaning of commitment through a marriage. Mom and Dad were never afraid to show us that sometimes, marriage could be difficult, but they always found a way to maintain their commitment. Mom was asked recently by a nurse what was their secret was to a marriage of thirty plus years, she says, "There is no secret. Even if it means we choose not to live together, we committed to being best friends first."
Mom and Dad lived true to that commitment, especially demonstrating that in sickness and in health, Dad stood by our Mom to the end. Mom and Dad taught us that wherever we were, we were a team that lead with support, commitment, trust, and love.
Mom was diagnosed with pulmonary arterial hypertension in 2010. I recall my siblings and I being called to a family meeting with our Aunt Edna, to which we were told that Mom would only have three months of life left to give. I recall that moment so vividly, because I knew in my heart that this was not it for our Mom, and that the support, commitment, trust, and love that our parents instilled in us would be the guiding force that would make sure of this. Mom's illness, although physically hers to bare, emotionally, it was just as much ours too. She was never doing this alone.
Our life as we knew it changed forever, each of us making countless sacrifices, enduring countless hospitalizations, and uncharted emotions. Throughout years of uncertainty, what became certain was our Mother's will to live. Mom taught us faith, hope, strength, and patience, and most importantly, gratitude. Mom could be in the most challenging situations, yet she could find reason to be thankful. Through the challenges and despite her ailments, she had a will to live and that's exactly what she would do. We camped, we hunted, we fished, we travelled, we gave her grandbabies, we never stopped. The power of grandchildren would be proven time and time again, often surprising Mom's Doctors and Nursing staff as our babies guided Mom through miracles in hospital.
Countless times I would recite the following quote to Mom on some of her toughest days, "Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, I will try again tomorrow." The most rewarding tomorrow that Mom would receive was on Thanksgiving weekend, October 14, 2019. At 9:37 in the morning, Mom would get the call to accept her new lungs and undergo the double lung transplant."
"The idea is not to live forever. But maybe to help another live a little longer. Without the organ donor, there is no story, no transplant. But when there is an organ donor, life sprints from death, sorrow turns to hope, and a loss becomes a gift." To Mom's donor, thank you.
The transplant experience encompassed so many emotions dating back to her public health diagnosis, this time though, was the highest level of hope that our family could be gifted. I have only shared the intimate details of this experience with a few, witnessing firsthand a rush of so many doctors to pull our Mom out of near-death encounters. It was moments such as these that would add to my trust in Mom's doctors. Mom’s recovery wasn't without company, her dearest friends and family would join Shawn in her journey to recovery and on July 10, 2020 Mom would finally return home to the rest of our family. We made sure we celebrated that day so perfectly, setting up Christmas in July, singing happy birthday to everyone, and filling her home with people, music, and dance.
Mom had this really beautiful ability to bring people together and make some really incredible things happen. Among many of Mom's passions, one of her most powerful was the passion for this community. She loved the people of Kugluktuk with deepest sincerity, and she never lost sight of her vision for building healthy families that would contribute to the overall wellbeing of this place we all call home. I couldn't even begin to list the contributions that she has made to our home, but what I know for certain is that with every initiative that she provided, she had this ability to fill hearts with love, and comfort people with a sense of hope, regardless of what people were going through. I ask that you all can carry those beautiful moments and memories in your hearts, especially when times seem challenging. Sometimes we need a little help to maintain that hope, but know that the hope is within you, always.
With an aching heart, moments of reflection gave me comfort. What was once three months, turned thirteen years. I truly believe the demonstration of our parent’s marriage, instilled within us the courage to be a team and lead our Mom through a life that she deserved. Although living through an illness wasn't ideal, it gave our family the gift to live through the beauty of vulnerability, appreciating and finding gratitude in all that we did together. Again, with an aching heart, we remain grateful. Mom's will carried her through to watching her baby Tundra and her first grandgirl Saveah, becoming Mother's. Our Mom as Grandma was the most beautiful type of love that our family could feel.
From our Kugluktuk Health Centre, to the Yellowknife Stanton Hospital and the University of Alberta Hospital, a thank you will never be enough. Our gratitude especially to Mom's team of Doctors in Edmonton was a constant amongst uncertainty and the nursing staff in ward 5E3 were truly angels among us. They never failed our Mom, giving us thirteen more years with her, we consider their commitment a success and they should be so proud of themselves, because their work was reflected in our family.
I want you all to take comfort in knowing that Mom's medical team made sure that Mom's final days were free of pain. Quentin, Shawn, Tundra and I were comforted with the presence of our Aunt's Edna, Helen, Jeannie and April, Uncle Shane Thompson, and Mom's best friends, Kathy Okpik and Susie Evyagotailak. Their comfort, guidance and counsel will carry a special place in our hearts forever. We also took comfort knowing that Dad was home with Laila, Nick, Evan, Billy and Saveah and the grandbabies.
My siblings and I met to prepare ourselves for the removal of Mom's breathing machine. Together we chose not to cry as Mom's soul made its journey, we had to send our Mom off in honour, courage and grace. I am so proud of you guys. Your bravery made this moment so beautiful and I know that Mom was so proud of us for sending her off the way that we did.
To my family, the toughest days are yet to come, especially for our children. Our children were Mom's purpose and Mom was ours, and it’s going to be a challenge to find our purpose through the grief. In those moments, make time for moments of reflection, what was instilled within us carried our family forward and we will continue, "we've got each other". May all that are gathered today be inspired by our Mother's will to live, we all have it, it’s up to us to use it to live the best version of ourselves, for ourselves, our children, our families and our community.
Thank you, Member for Nahendeh. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and community.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It's an honour for me to welcome Mr. Senator Dennis Patterson into the House. I remember him visiting my father Jimmy Jacobson when I was a young boy in Tuk. Welcome to the House, Dennis. It's always good seeing you.
And I'd also like to welcome Denise Voudrach, patient advocate for the Beaufort Delta. Welcome, and I'm looking forward to letting you do all the good work that you're going to do for the people. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Nunakput. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to recognize two pages that are here representing Inuvik Twin Lakes, Kalena Weinman and Brianna Dillon. And I'd also like to recognize a constituent Denise Voudrach who is our Indigenous patient advocate that will be in Inuvik. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Yellowknife Centre.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased to recognize the staff of the newly created Office of Client Experience that will provide support services to NWT residents navigating the health and social services system. With us today is
Fraser Lennie. Fraser is the director and program supervisor for the new office. He is a Metis Sahtu beneficiary and lives in Yellowknife. Welcome.
Glenna Simon. Glenna is the senior Indigenous patient advocate for Fort Smith. Glenna is First Nations and Cree, and she works out of the health centre in Fort Smith.
Denise Ritias is the senior Indigenous patient advocate for the Inuvik Regional Hospital. She is a Dene of K'ahsho Got'ine and was born and raised in Inuvik.
Anastassia Judas. Anastasia is the senior Indigenous patient advocate for Stanton Territorial Hospital. Anastasia is Yellowknives Dene First Nation member and lives in Yellowknife.
Sharon Sunrise. Sharon is a system navigator. She is a member of and resides on the K'atlodeeche First Nation.
Faith Woodruff. Faith is a system navigator. She is a Woodland Cree member of the Bigstone Cree Nation in northern Alberta. She lives in Yellowknife.
And finally, Marie Douglas, client experience liaison. Marie is Gwich'in, North Slavey and Tlicho, and lives in Yellowknife.
I'd like to welcome them all and thank them for the work they've undertaken.
