Iqaluit (Mar 20/06) - Joe Sageatook of Iqaluit hopes to bring some fresh blood to NTI starting March 21 - the day Nunavut beneficiaries will vote for the next first vice-president and vice-president of finance of Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.

James Eetoolook from Taloyoak has experience on his side; he's been in the position since 1993.

The terms run for four years. In the previous two elections Eetoolook was acclaimed, so he says he's happy to have a little competition.

"I welcome anything and anybody has a right to run. I like it. It's good."

Training Inuit to fill positions requiring specific skills is priority, says 30-year-old Sageatook, a journeyman electrician at Qulliq Energy.

Eetoolook's focus is "the smooth implementation of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement."

He names accessing Nunavut's natural resources as another priority.

"The Inuit-owned land is rich with minerals and it's only a matter of tapping into it," says Eetoolook.

To lure people in to vote, NTI bought 15,000 bracelets with the words "I am Inuk," to give away to every person casting a ballot.

MLA Peter Kilabuk and Premier Paul Okalik object to the idea of rewarding voters for something they say should be done for free.

Chief returning officer Patrick Tagoona says "close to 200 people came out to vote in the advance polls," March 13.

"I am optimistic we will get a good response, but it is really hard to say."