Summary / Highlights of Assembly Meetings

Assembly Meeting 1
December 1, 2005

Nain
The Nunatsiavut Government came into effect on December 1, 2005. The final Board of the Labrador Inuit Association (LIA) became the transitional government which will be in place until an election is held. This “effective date” marked the transition of the Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement (LILCA) into a legal and Constitutional reality.

Equivalent to the provincial House of Assembly or Parliament's House of Commons, the Jens Haven School Gym in Nain was transformed into the first ‘house' for Nunatsiavut Government. A new assembly building will be constructed in Hopedale to house the legislative centre for Nunatsiavut.

Nunatsiavut, which means “our beautiful land,” came into being during a special meeting of the LIA board. The meeting, which was open to special guests and to the public, was preceded by prayers led first by an Inuit Elder then by an Inuit Youth. During the session, a resolution passed declaring the Nunatsiavut Inuit Constitution in effect. Soon after this, LIA Directors took their planned positions in the new Transitional Nunatsiavut Assembly.

LIA President William Andersen III was sworn in as the Transitional President of Nunatsiavut. LIA Vice-President and Chief Negotiator Tony Andersen was sworn in as Nunatsiavut Transitional First Minister, and LIA Treasurer Gary Baikie was sworn in as Nunatsiavut Transitional Treasurer.

The adjournment of the special LIA meeting was marked by traditional Inuit performances from Nunatsiavut Drum Dancers and Throat singers and the choirs of Nain and Hopedale. They sang the Canadian and Nunatsiavut National Anthems during the laying of the Canadian flag by Inuit RCMP officers and the Nunatsiavut flag by the Rising Youth Council.

The historic First Session of the Nunatsiavut Transitional Assembly followed with President Andersen declaring the assembly in session. Government business to initiate Nunatsiavut began with the introduction of Bills for the Nunatsiavut Transitional Assembly and the Nunatsiavut Constitution. Then Ruth Flowers of Hopedale was elected as the first Speaker of Nunatsiavut Assembly.

There was break in the legislative process as the Assembly unanimously agreed with President Andersen's invitation to the Honorable Danny Williams, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador to address the Assembly. Although it is rare for heads of other governments to be invited to address legislative assemblies, the Nunatsiavut Government wanted to acknowledge the continuing partnership with the provincial and federal governments. Senator William Rompkey was also invited to address the Assembly on behalf of Canada. Natan Obed, a Labardor Inuk working in Ottawa, started the addresses with greetings on behalf of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK)

Inuit government officials, youth and elders watched the event from the ‘gallery.' Joining them for a day of ceremony, performance and community feasts were Deputy Premier Tom Rideout, who was also Minister Responsible for Aboriginal Affairs, Tom Osborne, Minister of Environment and Conservation, Paul Shelley, Minister responsible for Labrador Affairs, and leaders from other Inuit territories and organizations. Opposition leaders Jerry Reid and Jack Harris attended, along with other Labrador MHAs, including John Hickey, Randy Collins and Wally Andersen, an Inuk whose district includes most of the Labrador Inuit lands. Other special guests included Past Presidents and Past Vice-Presidents of the LIA, representatives of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Parks Canada, the RCMP, other Aboriginal leaders, and representatives from the federal and provincial governments.

The Nunatsivaut government business continued in the afternoon with the passing of several bills related to the Nunatsiavut Civil Service, and matters of procedure, taxation and revenue.

While the main ceremony took place in Nain, community celebrations occurred simultaneously in the Inuit communities of Hopedale, Postville, Rigolet and Makkovik as well as among Inuit in North West River, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, St. John's and other communities.

The initial assembly provided an opportunity for the new government to tell its beneficiaries and the rest of the world about its intentions. The Nunatsiavut Government will operate through consensus rather than the adversarial party system. It will observe federal and provincial laws and will continue to work with both levels of government especially in health, justice and education. The Nunatsiavut Government will, however, in time, take greater control of these areas of policy. The theme is one of mutual co-operation with the province and with Canada as the Labrador Inuit continue to progress towards self-government.

Crucially, Inuit language and culture will be added to the school curriculum, and steps will be taken to enable Inuit to become teachers, healthcare workers, administrators and decision-makers. Nunatsiavut Government will set guidelines for resource use such as hunting, fishing and mining but with input from the federal government should over-harvesting become an issue. The aim is for the Labrador Inuit to continue to build capacity for setting environmental goals, and to ultimately manage conservation in the newly established Inuit territory of the Torngat Mountains National Park Reserve.

One of the main tasks for the Nunatsiavut Government is to prepare for the transition to an elected Assembly within the near future. Though a vital and momentous step, December 1 is in many ways part of an ongoing process.

Assembly Meeting 2
March 1, 2006

Hopedale
On March 1, the Transitional Nunatsiavut Assembly held its first meeting in the legislative capital Hopedale. The assembly approved its first budget of $37 million, set the dates for the first elections in September and October, and completed a number of requirements for the transitional government.

Three months to the day since coming into effect on December 1, 2005, the Transitional Nunatsiavut Assembly approved a budget of $37 million that was introduced by Minister Gary Baikie. $9.5 million was approved for operating budgets for the five government departments, Inuit Community Corporations, infrastructure and economic development and other government operations. Another $27.6 million was approved to deliver health, education, fund the five Nunatsiavut community governments, capital works, housing, fisheries and wildlife, language and culture and other programs formerly delivered by the Labrador Inuit Association (LIA). Planned as a balanced budget, revenue will be from a number of sources. $2.8 million will be redirected to the Transitional Nunatsiavut Assembly from personal income tax collected by federal and provincial governments from all residents of Nunatsiavut. The land claims agreement provides $1.4 million from self-government funds and $3.4 million from the implementation trust. Another $1.9 million is expected from interest earned on investments of agreement funds. Minister Baikie said, “This budget ensures all former LIA operations are continued during the transition to an elected government. It is a conservative budget that ensures beneficiaries continue to receive programs and services, while funds from the agreement are invested wisely for expansion of programs and the benefit of our beneficiaries in the future.”

President William Andersen III presented the Elections Act, providing for the first election of a Nunatsiavut Assembly. Until then the Transitional Nunatsiavut Assembly, carried over from LIA's board of directors, will operate the government and complete the necessary transitional work to set up operating structures and manage investment of funds. September 5, 2006 is set for Angajukak elections. An Angajukak is similar to a council mayor. September 19, 2006 is set for Community Government elections, and October 3, 2006 for the Nunatsiavut Government general election. The Presidential election is set for two years later - October 7, 2008. All elections will occur every four years. The Labrador Inuit Constitution set this staggered timeframe for voting of the president to ensure continuity and consistency from one government to another. President Andersen said, “The timing of the election gives our transitional government enough time to complete all the necessary preparations for the first government. It also gives our beneficiaries time to consider candidates for the new government. This time of the year ensures beneficiaries are not affected by weather.”

The first Private Members Bill was presented for debate at the next assembly meeting later in the spring. Mina Campbell-Hibbs, who was also appointed as Deputy Speaker to Speaker Ruth Flowers, asked her fellow assembly members to ensure Inuttitut becomes the working language of the government and the civil service. Ms. Campbell-Hibbs noted that Inuttitut remains the first language for many elders. Youth are showing a strong interest in learning the language. Torngasok Cultural Centre is developing language training programs.

Assembly Meeting 3
May 21, 2006

Hopedale
The Nunatsiavut Government held its third Assembly meeting this year in Hopedale on Wednesday, May 21, 2006.

An Act reinforcing the commitment to recovering Inuttitut as a primary language for Inuit was passed unanimously. Mina Campbell-Hibbs, the member for North West River, presented a private members Bill to the Assembly encouraging the use of Inuttitut as a working language in Nunatsiavut Government. The Nunatsiavut Constitution requires the President of Nunatsiavut to be fluent in the language. “I am pleased to commit to speaking only in Inuttitut at all official Assembly proceedings. I will ensure that translation services are available to all who need them, and that we continue the commitment to recovering the traditional language through training, immersion and possibly incentives.”

Progress was made on creating community corporations in Upper Lake Melville and for beneficiaries outside of Labrador. Presented by First Minister Tony Andersen, the Corporations Act, which is required to create community corporations recognized by the Nunatsiavut Government, was passed unanimously. A second Act, also presented by Minister Tony Andersen, to provide for the election of the chairpersons of Inuit Community Corporations, was also passed unanimously.

The financial statements of the Nunatsiavut Government for the period up to on March 31, 2006, were tabled by Finance Minister Gary Baikie and showed a surplus of funds. The surplus will be used to build government housing in Nain and a new Department of Health and Social Development building in Makkovik. The savings will also pay for legal fees and cover the cost of a new position in each Nunatsiavut department.

There were some changes in the executive positions of the government. Gary Baikie resigned as Minister of Finance, effective June 23, 2006. President William Andersen III appointed Ruth Flowers of Hopedale, the former Speaker of the Assembly to replace Gary Baikie as Minister of Finance. Mina Campbell-Hibbs of North West River was appointed as Speaker of the House to replace Ruth Flowers.

Preparations are continuing for Nunatsiavut elections in the fall. Jack Shiwalk of Rigolet was appointed to be the electoral officer. The voters list is being finalized and beneficiaries are expected to ensure their names are accurately included on the lists to be circulated in each community.

July 25, 2006 – The Nunatsiavut Transitional Assembly passes a resolution for the creation of a Community Corporation in North West River and appoints a new Minister of Finance and Speaker for the House.

The Nunatsiavut Government held its fourth meeting of the Nunatsiavut Transitional Assembly this year in Hopedale on Tuesday, July 25, 2006. (It was the third meeting held in Hopedale)

A Resolution was passed approving the establishment of an Inuit Community Corporation for beneficiaries residing in North West River and Sheshatshiu and approving revisions to the constitution of the Inuit community corporation for beneficiaries residing in Happy Valley-Goose Bay and Mud Lake. The bylaws of the North West River Community Corporation were also accepted by the Assembly. This will allow for the election of a community chairperson in North West River to be held in September.

A Resolution was passed to amend the Upper Lake Melville corporation act in order to change the name of the corporation from Upper Lake Melville to “NunaKatiget” Inuit Community Corporation Inc. The name of the corporation was developed at a public meeting held in Happy Valley-Goose Bay on July 19.

Throughout the entire Assembly meeting President William Andersen III spoke only in Inuktitut, his first language. President Andersen said, “I spoke in Inuktitut to demonstrate my commitment to the language. We talk so much about preserving and promoting our language, I'm just doing my part by putting this into action and practicing what I preach. I will be using Inuktitut from now on in all Assembly proceedings in hopes of encouraging others to take up the language.”

Gary Baikie stepped down from his position as Finance Minister on June 23, 2006. President Andersen nominated Ruth Flowers of Hopedale, the Speaker of the House, to replace Baikie. Flowers accepted the nomination and was sworn in as the new Minister of Finance, Human Resources and Information Technology. The Deputy Speaker from North West River, Mina Campbell-Hibbs, was then sworn in to replace Flowers as Speaker of the House.

It was decided that the location of Nunatsiavut Government Executive meetings will alternate between communities, allowing for more community involvement and interaction with Ministers and Deputy Ministers. The next meeting will be held in Makkovik.

Preparations are continuing for Nunatsiavut Government elections in the fall. Jack Shiwak of Rigolet was sworn in as the Chief Electoral Officer for Nunatsiavut elections. The voters list has been finalized and beneficiaries are expected to ensure their names are accurately included on the lists to be circulated in each community.

Please click here for Transitional Assembly Meeting February 2006

Please click here for Transitional Assembly Meeting July 2006

Please click here for the Assembly Meeting October 2006

Please click here for the Assembly Meeting December 2006

Please click here for the Assembly Meeting October 2007

Please click here for the Assembly Meeting December 2007

Please click here for the Assembly Meeting March 2008

Please click here for the Assembly Meeting April 2008