Nunavut’s MLAs united in call for a violence-free territory
“We are their voice today. We will be their voice in the future.”
Nunavut’s MLAs stand in support of a motion tabled by Elisapee Sheutiapik, the minister responsible for the status of women, for a violence-free Nunavut on Thursday, March 5. (Photo by Emma Tranter)
Members of Nunavut’s legislative assembly put down their prepared questions and budget documents on Thursday, March 5, and picked up handwritten speeches and boxes of tissues.
Elisapee Sheutiapik, minister of family services and the status of women, had just tabled a motion for a “violence-free Nunavut.”
“The legislative assembly affirms its support for ongoing actions and measures to promote a violence-free Nunavut,” the motion states.
Over the course of an hour, every regular member and minister rose and spoke on the motion, which was unanimously passed.
“There’s a point in time where we have to stand united and that gives people hope. This kind of messaging gives people hope that we care as leaders,” Sheutiapik said.
“This is dear to me, and I hope it’s dear to everybody. We want a violence-free Nunavut.”
The assembly passed a similar motion in 2005 that affirmed the right of all people to live free from physical, sexual or mental abuse and violence.
“Nunavut has some ugly statistics, which no one can be proud of. These statistics are frightening. It’s important that this assembly and its members set an example. We must have these difficult conversations in the hope that it will encourage others to do the same,” said Iqaluit-Manirajak MLA Adam Lightstone, who seconded the motion.
“I encourage my community to talk about these issues. It must no longer go unspoken. It takes an entire community to work together to make changes. I hope this motion to support a violence-free Nunavut will be emulated across the territory, throughout our Inuit orgs, as well as our mayors and councils,” Lightstone said.
During his turn to speak, David Akeeagok, economic development and transportation minister, recognized the importance of women working in Nunavut’s mining sector, who he said are “increasing in numbers.”
“We see a changing nation in Nunavut. They do blasting, drive huge heavy equipment and the biggest one was being driven by a woman smaller than me,” Akeeagok said, remembering a woman he met on a recent mine visit.
Justice Minister Jeannie Ehaloak said her department has already started to review and amend the territory’s Family Abuse Intervention Act to further protect Nunavut families from violence.
The act was passed in 2006 with an intent to provide Nunavummiut with the tools to intervene in violent situations and prevent abuse.
Ehaloak noted that other jurisdictions in Canada have amended similar legislation to allow for things like domestic leave for people fleeing violence.
“My department is reviewing our current legislation to ensure victims of domestic violence are able to take the time they need to help and get support in getting information on how to leave abusive relationships without being at risk of jeopardizing their employment,” she said.
“I care deeply about this issue. And I recognize the need to do what we can to end family violence in our territory,” Ehaloak said, wiping tears from her eyes.
“I can attest that with family support, a woman can prevail. Because I’m a survivor as well,” she said.
Pangnirtung MLA Margaret Nakashuk said Nunavummiut also need to reflect on the root causes of violence.
“Some reasons we may know why there’s so much violence in Nunavut. And some we don’t understand. Our history in terms of the residential school survivors, the dog slaughter … and there are others that we may not know of,” Nakashuk said.
“The trauma that we see and face in our community on a daily basis—it’s scary.”
MLAs like Mila Adjukak Kamingoak also shared personal stories of losing friends and family to violence.
“I lost an aunt to murder. She was taken in front of my grandparents’ eyes and I can’t imagine as a mother what my grandma went through,” Kamingoak said through sobs, removing her glasses and letting tears fall.
“I have four daughters. And I want them to be protected, in our territory and the world,” she said.
Sheutiapik said she hopes communities and Inuit organizations across the territory also take a similar public stand against violence.
“It’s a movement that I hope continues. It’s not just an everyday. The standing up in unity is just a start,” Sheutiapik said.
“We are affected. We cry. We have mixed emotions. I don’t know how many times I’ve gone through that. It’s been over 30 years that my younger sister was murdered and we don’t know the reasoning or the cause,” she said.
“So we are their voice today. We will be their voice in the future.”
Violence- actions or words that are intended to hurt people!
I feel the sentiment of the above leaders is real. Unfortunately, I do not believe their actions will will come off as strong as their words.
The government is not inside the homes of individuals to prevent violence, they cannot change a person’s behavior by giving heartfelt speaches in the legislature.
They are 100% in control over their government offices and the people who run and work in them. When you tolerate and turn a blind eye to violence in the workplace you are not only hurting the victims but empowering the bullies who are getting away with it.
Shame on any of us who sit in silence and knowlingly allow violence to hurt others. If we do nothing we are part ofthe problem.
A very nice gesture but words and tears shed by mlas mean nothing if there is not a corrective course of action to deal with violence in NU.
“Ms. Towtongie (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wholeheartedly agree with
the intent of this motion against violence. I have read that two-spirited people is not the
Inuit way of life. I believe in procreation and I believe that animals have babies and Inuit
too, but I also believe if we don’t want violence in our community then we cannot just
give it lip service, not just words.”
Citation please, Cathy. Where exactly did you read that?
“There were Inuit who were living with qallunaat. They were run by the Roman Catholic Church and they were run by the Hudson’s Bay Company, and they were given free clothing. Let’s not be like that. We must not hurt other people. We know it is bad and we know that having two spirits is not from Inuit culture. Procreation and having babies continues today. It’s how we survived up to 2020.”
WHAT????
“Nowadays, even a husband and wife can be told by the courts that they must be
separated. That they can’t see each other anymore.”
RESTRAINING ORDERS SAVE LIVES
That statement was a lesson in lateral violence.
Cathy Towtongie perpetuates warped views and causes more damage.
Towtongie should be removed from public office. Homophobia causes suicide.
Her constituents elected her that way – this stuff is not new. What you are suggesting is more than a little undemocratic.
I agree that her remarks were generally deplorable and certainly not conducive to healthy integration of non-heterosexual people in society.
However, she is correct to question Sheutiapik’s gratuitous use of the 2SLGBTQQIA acronym. I think LGBT is probably all Nunavut’s culture is up for digesting at the moment and dumping the rest in there is a little patronizing and risks having the baby thrown out with the bathwater.
Not easy to be a gay person in Nunavut.. People like Cathy who continually deny the existence in Inuk culture. Head in the sand. . Okalik was another one. They were just hiding it. But they were always there. Just a simple part of human nature , deny all you like.
There is No improving the violence thing not with and when narrow minded people governing. On the bright side however it is a minority being so openly prejudice.
Good for the MLA’s for doing this, but there is great confusion
at the community level with legality.
A few years ago a violent bully got a good pounding by a
relative of his wife, and the bully ran to the police for there
protection.
At the trial nothing happened to the bully, but the pounder
was given 6 months probation for taking the law into his own
hands. Do not get involved.
P.S. So far the bully has hurt no one else.
Anywhere in the world where there is extreme proverty, change in cultural. Equals violence. Nunavut is the third world territory of Canada. Poor poor nothing will change, unless we have meaningful policys. Real funding for Housing. They should start talking to men who abuse and get answers. Empower women that0 they have a choice. The mlas statements were such stuck people. Move forward look for $$ your pocket holders and account holders of the GN!
Rest in Peace, long time Mayor of Arviat Bob Leonard. I hope Nunatsiaq decides to run a story on this.
violence to me goes hand in hand with alcohol. When people get hurt and the hamlets restrict alcohol for a month or more. Do you really think this helps? it does the opposite. People buy it for big bucks from bootleggers, taking more money away from the family. Making it harder to get encourages binging. I grew up with alcohol in the house at all times in the south, from parties or company who left it behind. We had some if we wanted, in a family of 6 none of us ever grew up really interested in drinking, and no one got hurt from binging violence. We wernt afraid of alcohol, if we needed a ride home or in a place we feared because of drinking or violence we could call our parents for help without being punished.
The restrictions are what is causing such problems up here and it will not get better before it gets worse. Look at iqaluit. I cant walk down the street without crossing several times to avoid potential violent blackout drunks. Its all or nothing here because if it isnt from a store, its from a bootlegger. Hamlet attempts at restrictions makes it worse, even if it is to save face for funerals or current violence, it doesnt stop people who want to drink. if it was readily available the people who abuse it will do it anyways, anyone else wouldnt feel the need to binge and have some when they want it, not worried that it might be the last in a while. violence is alcohol, restrictions is abuse.
We can’t even go a couple months without actual murders… right Pond? Iqaluit? Pang? 30 000 ppl and several murders a year…
I am worried that 100% violence-free is not achievable so very little will be done. It could have been more effective in setting some specific achievable targets and providing the policies, programs, and resources to achieve them.
It’s really not likely at all, given our human nature. We can try to understand violence though, and hopefully reduce it, but I am not optimistic that a serious examination of violence is on the horizon, I expect the usual canned gripes will trot around the ring, people will be scapegoated (guess who?) and life will carry on much the way it has.
How many of our murders and violent crimes were committed by sober offenders?
Here is a big fat clue – alcohol consumption fuels violence.
We need big dreamers, Non profit organizations can get funding dollars to have proposals to help with this issue. QIA, KIA, KIA. Hamlets should work together to address this issue care for the well being of beneficiaries, think big, dream that we could live in violence free world. Punitive, and jail has not worked. When we go to annual meetings, business, mines are the first priority not the social issues of our beneficiaries. Back burner and resolutions to GN. Nothing!