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IQALUIT - During his recent visit to Iqaluit, Indian and Northern Affairs Minister Chuck Strahl said he hoped the new members of the Indian Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission would be selected within the next six weeks.

Strahl said it was more important to fill the positions with people who could do the job and work with the wide variety of groups involved than whether they are First Nations, Inuit, male or female.

"This commission has to go forward. We don't want to have another setback like in the last six months," Strahl said.

The commission's chair Harry LaForme resigned in October 2008, and the remaining commissioners Claudette Dumont-Smith and Jane Morley followed in January 2009.

Nunavut Tunngavik would like one of the commissioners to be Inuk.

"They understand the culture," said Paul Kaludjak, president of Nunavut Tunngavik. "We have our different way of reconciliation, our healing process. Our elders have a different way of reconciling individuals that are going through a difficult time."

One of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's statements has always been that at least one of its three members would be aboriginal Canadian - either First Nations, Metis or Inuk.

Kaludjak said although he is "disappointed" the commission is inactive, he hopes the openings provide an opportunity for an Inuk to be among its new members.

"That's what we've been saying all along at the first outset," Kaludjak said. "When they were first being selected, we wanted them to consider posting someone from Nunavut at that time but that never came through."

The committee charged with selecting the chair and commissioners has representation from various groups from across Canada. Representing the Inuit is Mary Simon, president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami.

Other members of the selection committee are representatives of the Assembly of First Nations, the Metis National Council, the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs, claimants of the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement and the Anglican, Catholic, Presbyterian and United churches in Canada, and it is chaired by a former Supreme Court justice.

Kaludjak said he was certain Simon would be a strong advocate for an Inuk on the commission.

Simon declined to comment, citing the confidentiality of the process.