File contains closing remarks and a closing prayer for the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at Singituq Complex, Rankin Inlet, Northwest Territories, on Thursday, November 19, 1992. Closing remarks by Commissioner Viola Robinson and Allan Blakeney thank the day's participants, as does facilitator Paul Kaludjak which is followed with a closing prayer by Anglican minister Paul Williams concluding the day's proceedings.
File contains an individual presentation by Rhoda Karetak of Rankin Inlet. Karetak discusses social and health issues facing the people of her community, including the cost of travelling to facilities in the south, problems with fatigue among elders, sniffing activity, and suicide concerns. Following her presentation Michael Kugak asks a question on childcare which Kartak answers. Following this, Facilitator Paul Kaludjak makes some comments and welcomes the next presenter.
File contains an opening prayer and opening remarks from the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at the Singituq Complex, Rankin Inlet, NWT (now Nunavut), on Thursday, November 19, 1992. Following an introduction by Facilitator Paul Kaludjak, and an opening prayer by Rhoda Karetak, Commissioner Viola Robinson commences the days proceedings by giving an overview of the Commission, its composition, and its work to this date.
File contains a presentation by AK. She discusses the suicide of a family member and the lessons she drew from it. She then goes on to discuss some mechanisms for helping people deal with grief and family tragedies.
File contains a presentation by Annie Napayok on behalf of the Keewatin Legal Aid Society. She discusses justice issues in the Keewatin region, for which she is the only legal aid representative. Among her concerns are culturally insensitive applications of law, a lack of funding, and youth justice concerns. Following the presentation Commissioners Robinson and Blakeney discuss some of these issues with Napayok.
File contains an individual presentation by Bill Gower. Gower, an active member of the community who's on the hamlet Council, discusses the problems he sees with the Education system. He stresses that unless something is done to create jobs in the area in the near future the effects of its failings will be catastrophic. Commissioners Robinson and Blakeney discuss these concerns and possible solutions with Gower.
File contains a presentation by Larry Ussak. He discusses his concerns with the way the government handles the polar bear population, specifically some of the techniques they use which he believes is contributing to the populations decline. Ussak also talks about job training, welfare, drop-out rates, suicide, the financial difficulties of life in the north, and related concerns. Following the presentation Commissioner Robinson discusses employment and training issues with Ussak and Paul Kaludjak.
File contains a presentation by Leoni Kappi. He discusses education in a variety of facets including the need for traditional cultural content, a lack of funding, the need for adult education facilities, especially with regard to drop-outs, and the importance of traditional language instruction. Following the presentation Commissioners Robinson and Sillet discuss some of these issues with Kappi.
File contains a presentation by President Louis Pilakapsi of the Keewatin Inuit Association. He gives a presentation on a variety of issues of concern to his organization including northern transportation costs and the need for improved transportation infrastructure, suicide concerns, health issues such as a lack of running water and E coli outbreaks in some communities, welfare concerns, the desire to keep uranium mining out of the future Nunavut territory due to health concerns, and the need for a health facility for the Keewatin Region.
File contains a presentation by Lucien Taparti who's an Elder and Chairperson of the local Elders' organization, discusses how Elder and hunters' concerns are often neglected while those of people who own businesses are addressed by government. He states that their is a knowledge gap of traditional Inuit culture among youth which should be addressed. Taparti discusses the local Elders organization, his work-related disability, and concerns with the justice system and the role Elders can play.
File contains a presentation by Karen Acorn, Suicide Prevention Officer, and Nowya Williams. Acorn and Williams address the issue of suicide in the region and express the belief that it is something which can often be prevented when the proper information and counselling is available for people. Williams stresses the importance of involving Elders in community counselling to help address the problem. Following the presentations the assembled Commissioners discuss the issue with the two presenters.
File contains a presentation by Paul Williams, vicar of the Anglican Church in Rankin Inlet. He presents his concerns as an individual on education and suicide in the community. Williams argues that there is not enough funding for culturally relevant education of the kind that is needed. Williams then discusses the problem of the extremely high rate of suicide in the community, and the lack of help in dealing with it. Following his presentation Commissioners Robinson and Blakeney thank Williams and discuss some of the issues raised with him.
File contains a presentation on behalf of MLA John Todd in letter form read aloud by Mayor Paul Kaludjak. Kaludjak reads the letter which includes best wishes for the Commission and expresses regret that Todd is unable to meet with them due to inclement weather (Todd is in the capital of NWT, Yellowknife). He states that he will send the Commissioners a written submission soon, and Commissioner Robinson states that she looks forward to receiving it.
File contains a presentation by Irene Tiktaalaaq and Joan Scottie of the Concerned Citizens of Baker Lake. Tiktaalaq discusses unemployment and poverty among the people of Baker Lake, and her efforts with others to establish a community food bank without any government assistance to alleviate these problems. She concludes by recommending that the government raise welfare and pension levels to the amount that northerners do not run out of food money before the end of the month.
File contains a presentation by Mayor Paul Kaludjak on behalf of the Hamlet of Rankin Inlet. He discusses education, health care, justice, self-governance, and alcohol and drug problems in the North. Following his presentation Commissioner Robinson thanks Kaludjak, and Commissioner Blakeney discusses the different municipal categories and funding frameworks in operation in the Northwest Territories.