NNSL (DEC 23/96) - Nunavut will have to wait a little longer than expected to find out who will marshall it through the final stages of division. Territorial government press secretary Val Mellesmoen said an interim commissioner won't be named until sometime in January.

In its second report, Footprints 2, the Nunavut Implementation Commission, recommended the position be filled by Dec. 31.

"The federal and territorial governments have slacked off at a political level for Christmas," said Mellesmoen, last Tuesday.

The search for an interim commissioner is being conducted by Caldwell Partners, a Toronto-based company.

A final decision will be made by the three parties to the Nunavut Agreement: the territorial government, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. and the federal government.

At the moment a cone of silence seems to have been lowered over those involved in the selection process.

Telephone calls to Nunavut Tunngavik president Jose Kusugak, NTI manager of policy development and research Laura Gautier, DIAND's Paul McKinstry, and Caldwell Partners' Heather Connelly were not returned.

And two of the candidates for the job had more questions than answers.

"My understanding is the lady from Caldwell Partners (Connelly) was going to submit a short list of candidates before the end of the year," said candidate Marius Tungilik, an NTI communications officer.

Another of the candidates, former MLA Peter Ernerk, said "All I know is that in the end people like Jose Kusugak, (NWT Premier) Don Morin and the minister (of Indian affairs) will have the final say."

Tungilik said he had heard there would be a second round of interviews, but noted he had not heard back from anyone since his first interview.

Caldwell Partners has reportedly pared the original list of candidates down to 13, according to Tungilik.

It is not known how many people applied for the job in the first instance and Mellesmoen said information concerning the short list is confidential.

Minister of Indian Affairs Ron Irwin has said he would prefer the interim commissioner be Inuk so they can speak the language and relate well with fellow Inuit.

NIC recommends a long list of qualifications the commissioner should possess.

The person must have proven management skills and experience, proven negotiating skills, diplomatic skills and be bilingual in both Inuktitut and English.

The incumbent must also understand national, Northern and Nunavut issues, have knowledge of government design, be familiar with Inuit culture and values and be able to work in a multi-cultural environment.

NIC recommends the office of the interim commissioner be located in Iqaluit. Staff will work out of Nunavut, Yellowknife and Ottawa. The report suggests the commissioner's office have an total multi-year budget of nearly $10 million.

The position will be abolished April 1, 1999.