Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (Oct 23/00) - Nunavut MP Nancy Karetak-Lindell hasn't wasted a moment this fall.

The incumbent in the race to represent Nunavummiut in the House of Commons said Thursday night, prior to winning the Nunavut Liberal Association's nomination, that she was ready to step up to the plate.

Answering with an assured "yes," Karetak-Lindell said it was all systems go.

"I've mentally prepared myself. I've got a team ready. I've got people in the regions and people in the communities are going to be ready for me," said Karetak-Lindell, Nunavut's Member of Parliament since June 1997.

Karetak-Lindell has Iqaluit resident Jerry Ell as her campaign manager and said as soon as the writ was dropped, her campaign would begin in earnest.

The riding of Nunavut -- formerly known as Nunatsiaq -- splintered off from was created in 1980. Peter Ittinuar was the first MP and a member of the New Democrat Party until he crossed the floor in 1982 to join the Liberals. The territory has voted Liberal Party since then. Karetak-Lindell said she is confident that she will retain the seat.

The vice-president of Nunavut's Progressive Conservative Party said the Tories are also gearing up for the race.

Iqaluit resident Hughie MacLellan said former Inuit Tapirisat president Okalik Eegeesiak may run for the party.

Eegeesiak made a strong showing against Karetak-Lindell in the last federal election.

"She ran before and she did pretty good," said MacLellan, adding that he hoped his candidate would oust the Liberal MP.

"It's time for a change," he said.

Iqaluit's Mary Ellen Thomas threw her hat into the ring for the New Democratic Party and Cambridge Bay's Brian Jones will run for the Green Party. Both candidates were unavailable for comment.

The Canadian Alliance Party has yet to select a candidate for the riding.

Rankin Inlet resident Sandy Kusugak is the Elections Canada's returning officer in Nunavut. She too, is getting ready for the month ahead.

"I have been looking at office space to lease," said Kusugak.

"There's not much you can do until the election is called. We're in a holding pattern."