Yellowknife (July 23/04) - Any bad feelings left from the federal election vanished Wednesday as territorial leaders endorsed Ethel Blondin-Andrew's appointment to the federal cabinet.

Premier Handley: "...particularly pleased" with Blondin-Andrew appointment - NNSL file photo

"I'm particularly pleased to see Ethel Blondin-Andrew as minister for Northern Development," Premier Joe Handley said in a conference call from Charlottetown where he was attending a meeting of the Assembly of First Nations.

"She's a Northerner who understands the issues. We're both committed and I have no doubt that we'll have a strong working relationship."

Handley and Blondin-Andrew appeared to fall out after the incumbent Liberal MP came within 52 votes of losing her seat to NDP candidate Dennis Bevington and lashed out at other politicians in the NWT.

A judicial recount confirmed Blondin-Andrew's win in the Western Arctic just as Prime Minister Paul Martin unveiled his new cabinet Tuesday morning.

"The makeup of the cabinet is a positive signal," Handley said, noting that several veteran Liberal ministers are back in cabinet.

Darrell Beaulieu, chief of the Yellowknives Dene, congratulated the new cabinet and said he will work with them to "resolve the unfinished business of implementing the treaties."

"People of the North should be the first to benefit from resource development," Beaulieu said.

Archie Catholique, chief of Lutsel'ke, congratulated Blondin-Andrew on her new cabinet post, and said he wants to meet with Martin to settle outstanding issues.

"It's time for the government to listen to First Nations," said Catholique.

Handley said Martin's cabinet choices of Blondin-Andrew and Yukon MP Larry Bagnall as secretary to the federal energy minister are, "a good message on Northern development from the prime minister."

The minority Martin government is not expected to last longer than two years, but Handley said that is enough time to lay out a process for devolution and resource revenue sharing -- key items on the territorial government's agenda.

Handley said he is looking for federal support for the Mackenzie Valley natural gas pipeline and timely ratification of the Tlicho agreement.

The premier is also looking for a new arrangement with Ottawa on health care -- the largest item on the NWT budget.

Martin announced Wednesday he will meet with premiers and territorial leaders on health care in Ottawa in mid-September.