Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services

IQALUIT (Sep 07/98) - The NWT Status of Women Council has called for the creation of a governing body that will protect the interests of women in Nunavut.

Council executive director Rosemary Cairns said that after the issue was raised at a meeting in Iqaluit last month, members of the council, along with Pauktuutit, released a statement calling for the formation of an advisory body.

With duties similar to those presently carried out by the NWT council, the council has called for the body to be funded by the Nunavut Government and to include representatives from across Nunavut.

"The council will pull together a subcommittee and start to work on how that could be implemented," said Cairns. Iqaluit council member Eliza Kingdon said it is important to establish the new group as soon as possible so that topics important to women become a priority.

"We have to let the government know at its infancy stage that we're interested in women's issues. It we don't pursue it now, it will be after the fact," said Kingdon.

Cairns said she is happy that the council and Pauktuutit are working closely. She said she is waiting for feedback from territorial minister Manitok Thompson and Interim Commissioner Jack Anawak before scheduling the official planning meeting for the Nunavut advisory body.

It's official

Yessiree! A few employees of the Nunavut Legislative Assembly have a room to call their own. According to one of the new government employees, five people have been hired so far and are sharing the top floor of building 917 in Iqaluit. Positions filled include the legislative librarian, clerk, deputy clerk, executive secretary and the director of corporate services.

While the group actually moved in at the beginning of August, they just got their telephone lines connected and they're now answering the phone with "Hello, Legislative Assembly."

Most of their work will focus on completing the preliminary work for the assembly and preparing for the election.

Up to 12 people are scheduled to share the office, including a public relations person and a research team.