Yellowknife (Apr 29/05) - Stephen Kakfwi says the NWT's sitting member of parliament has held the position for too long, and he may be the man to replace her.

The former premier said he isn't ruling out anything, including running in the next election as an independent, but if he could, he would consider a challenge to Ethel Blondin-Andrew's nomination as the Liberal candidate for the Western Arctic.

Former premier Stephen Kakfwi: it's time for Western Arctic MP Ethel Blondin-Andrew to go.

"If it was possible, I wouldn't rule it out," said Kakfwi, who is a Liberal Party member.

But the chances of that happening are almost zero, he said, because Prime Minister Paul Martin has locked in nominations for all Liberal MPs.

He said right now is a bad time to be a Liberal candidate, anyway, considering the growing sponsorship scandal in Ottawa.

Nonetheless, he said the next election may very well see his name appear on the ballot, whether he runs as a party candidate or not.

"I sat out the last election so I'm just indicating that I'm open to the suggestion now," said Kakfwi.

He supported Blondin-Andrew in past elections but, quoting one of his favourite songwriters Bob Dylan, he said, "Times are a-changing."

Kakfwi said the last straw for him was Blondin-Andrew's support of Indian Affairs and Northern Development Minister Andy Scott's decision to appoint Todd Burlingame to chair the Mackenzie Land and Water Board against the board's suggested nominees. He called the appointment blatantly colonial.

Kakfwi said he sees himself as someone who could provide NWT residents with a "fresh start," untainted by the corruption that now dogs Liberal MPs who served under former prime minister Jean Chretien.

While he has yet to set up a campaign team, Kakfwi said many people - including Liberals - are saying Blondin-Andrew should step down and let him run.

"There comes a time when it's time to go and I feel like that time is now," said Kakfwi.

"Most party members are afraid to tell her that. They know how close they came to losing the last time and there's no reason for that except (she's stayed) too long."

'Just as dirt poor'

He said Blondin-Andrew's claim that she has a proven track record for reaping federal funding rewards is irrelevant because many smaller communities, including his hometown of Fort Good Hope, remain poor.

"Right now, my prospects for the most of us, we're going to be just as dirt poor after the (Mackenzie Valley) pipeline is built as we are right now," said Kakfwi.

"Our elders will still be walking on unpaved, dirt roads. Our services are going to be like those in Third World countries."

Kakfwi said he already carries a lot of influence with Ottawa.

"I have a high profile across the country," he said. "I was in Ottawa just a week ago. People definitely know who I am. It helps open doors."

When asked what he thought about his chances in the next election, he said it will be up to the people to decide.

Regardless, if he enters the race, it may get ugly. "My friends last year are my enemies today, that's the nature of it," said Kakfwi.

A spokesman for Blondin-Andrew said the minister had no comment.