Anawak's position marks a significant retreat from official targets supported by Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. and the Nunavut Implementation Commission. Both have remained optimistic about filling the new territorial bureaucracy with high percentage of Inuit.

But even veteran Northerners could be hard to come by, as large numbers of Yellowknife civil servants balk at a Nunavut transfer.

Currently, Nunavut's population is about 85 per cent Inuit. The other 15 percent are either non-Inuit or non-aboriginal.

According to "Footprints 2," a report put out by the Implementation Commission, the goal is a territorial bureaucracy with 50 per cent Inuit representation in both management and non-management positions by April 1, 1999, when the government comes into being.

"It's asking a lot, considering the level of education, but in terms of demographics, its not asking a lot," said Anawak.

Currently, residents in Nunavut communities are enrolled in a training program to prepare themselves to accept government positions.

Others are studying in southern institutions, said Anawak.

The interim commissioner and former MP said that, though he would like to see 50 per cent representation by 1999, the training programs will not likely be finished in time to meet the target.

"Some of the training may not be finished by 1999, but these people will not be left out if they don't get hired right at the beginning. We don't want to take away from a person training just to benefit the government, when the person will benefit more from another five or six months of schooling."

In the NWT capital, 300 jobs are expected to be lost or transferred to Nunavut.

However, most people are electing to take layoffs rather than move to Iqaluit, said Yellowknife Mayor Dave Lovell.

"There are two things going on. First, not too many people who have the chance to go are going.

"Secondly, in certain areas, so many people have taken buyouts, they (government of Nunavut), will have to begin recruiting for positions," said Lovell.